Peaks of Otter, MP 86
With stunning views, natural beauty, and the surrounding Jefferson National Forest, it’s no wonder the Peaks of Otter area has attracted people to the region for more than 8,000 years.
American Indians passed through the area while hunting and European settlers began to call the region home in the mid-1700s.
The area wasn’t a secret for long: in 1834 the first inn opened and by the turn of the century the Peaks of Otter was a popular tourist destination. Today, the Peaks of Otter still inspires travelers on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
What to Do
- Enjoy the Peaks of Otter Lodge with 63 rooms and restaurant
- Stop by the Visitor Center at Milepost 86 to find a ranger or get information about programs
- Picnic amid natural beauty along Little Stoney Creek with tables, charcoal grills and comfort stations
- Explore Polly Wood’s Ordinary, a cabin that served as the first lodging for travelers through the area starting in the early 1830’s, or Johnson Farm, a living history farm that entices visitors play games, help work the garden, or enjoy nature’s beauty by relaxing on the porch in a rocking chair
- Take a hike, with six trails to choose from within the Peaks of Otter area and three National Scenic Trails fewer than eight miles away
- Go fish! Abbott Lake is open to fishing for anyone with a valid North Carolina or Virginia fishing license. Please note the special regulations posted lakeside
- Visit the only service station on the Parkway in Virginia and explore a small gift shop for Blue Ridge Parkway keepsakes
- Grab a snack or camping supplies at the camp store, located at the start of the Sharp Top trail, near the campground
- Camp under the stars at a Parkway-operated 144-site campground at the foot of Sharp Top mountain, with sites for 92 tents and 52 trailers or RVs, water, comfort stations with flush toilets and cold water sinks (no showers or hook-ups)
Peaks of Otter Lodge is temporarily closed pending concession contract.
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