Camp Observer1 of 17 photos
Peaks Of Otter Campground
Overview
The Peaks of Otter Campground is nestled between the bases of two dominating mountains in the rolling hills of Virginia. Campers enjoy a rare serenity in this rustic setting. Relax, and leave your cares behind!
Recreation
The 24-acre Abbott Lake is one of the biggest attractions the Peaks of Otter Park has to offer. The lake is well-stocked with small mouth bass and bluegill. A crystal-clear mountain stream winds through the nearby picnic area.Numerous hiking opportunities range from demanding, scaling the area's high mountain peaks, to the moderate short, flat trail around Abbott Lake. Hikers are likely to stumble upon one of the mountain meadows, filled with wildflowers and migrating butterflies in the spring and a fantastic assortment of colors in the fall.
Abundant wildlife like deer and wild turkey are spotted daily at the Peaks of Otter Campground, and many rare species of birds reside or migrate along the mountain ranges. Summer interpretive programs are provided for visitors to learn about the wildlife as well as the history of the area.
Facilities
Campsites are shaded under an umbrella of thick trees, and provide campers with picnic tables, lantern poles, and campfire rings/grills. The campground also offers modern conveniences like flush toilets, drinking water and a dump station.
Peaks of Otter Campground almost always has campsites available. In addition to the 60 sites available for advance reservation, there are 79 first-come, first-served campsites available. Availability of first come, first served sites cannot be tracked through Recreation.gov. These sites must be booked in person at the campground kiosk.
Natural Features
Three mountain peaks sitting atop a thick blanket of forest make up the Peaks of Otter-- a recreational oasis spanning acre upon acre of rolling landscape along the famous Blue Ridge Parkway.
The Blue Ridge Parkway is a scenic byway that follows the high crests of the central and southern Appalachians for 469 miles from Shenandoah National Park in Virginia, to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina.
Nearby Attractions
The Peaks of Otter Lodge and Restaurant are located within walking distance of the campground, as is the Sharp Top Country Store. Restaurant dining, grab-and-go meals, snacks, souvenir items, camping supplies, firewood, and ice are all readily available to campground patrons.
The Johnson Farm, an old mountain farmstead restored and preserved to look as it did in the mid-1800s, is just a short walk away. Another restored historic structure, Aunt Polly's Ordinary, sits on the northeastern shore of Abbott Lake.
Camp site features
Across 141 camp sites:
- Picnic table: all 141 sites
- Pets allowed: all 141 sites
- ADA accessible: 8 of 141 sites
- Longest rig: 77 ft
- Largest party: 6 people
Directions
From Roanoke, Virginia, take the Blue Ridge Parkway north for 26 miles to
Milepost 86.
From Bedford, Virginia, follow Route 43 to Blue Ridge Parkway; the campground
is on the left before reaching the Parkway.
Stay Limit
Check in from 3 PM, check out by 12 PM.
Reviews
Ratings (225)
5 stars
125
4 stars
52
3 stars
26
2 stars
15
1 stars
7
Patricia O
Loop:Loop A
Site:A19
Reviewed 5 days ago
My husband and I had the perfect camp site. Loop A-19. The camp host was very polite. We had a relaxing 2 days. We have camped in this camp ground for many years. We have also spent several nights at the lodge motel as well.
Amy C
Loop:Loop A
Site:A17
Reviewed 8 days ago
The campground is beautiful! Sites A17 and A18 are easily accessible with no stairs and are very close to the bathhouse. Sam was extremely helpful. He and other staff ride through the campground regularly and stop to chat with campers to make sure they're doing well, which made us feel even safer. There is no cell signal, but we stayed busy hiking, reading, painting and relaxing. The lake by the lodge is very beautiful and we enjoyed the easy, short hike around it, which is well maintained and paved. We didn't eat at the lodge but went into the gift shop. The lodge is really beautiful! The area between the lodge and lake is really nice with lots of chairs to relax in while watching the lake. You can fish, but there is no swimming or boating allowed at all. Bedford is only a 20 minute drive from the campground if you need anything.
Laurie B
Loop:Loop T
Site:T41
Reviewed 14 days ago
Great experience. Woodsy and quiet, well patrolled by friendly rangers. Site T41-a pull-thru-has a downward path to the picnic table and fire ring. Restroom building is tough to locate at night, be sure to notice the location before dark.
Jordan M
Loop:Loop A
Site:A13
Reviewed 19 days ago
Have been going to the Peaks of otter for years, and it is still a great experience. Campground hosts and rangers are always friendly. Quiet, peaceful, near the blue ridge parkway. They have done a good job of fixing up some of the more run down sites in the last few years.
Gary J
Loop:Loop B
Site:B20
Reviewed a month ago
A nice quiet peaceful facility with very pleasant and helpful staff
Renee M
Loop:Loop A
Site:A25
Reviewed a month ago
The campground was quiet, clean, and in a great location. There are hikes accessible from the sites - we never moved our car until we left! The walk around the lake is also nice. And having the lodge and several camp stores is very convenient. We had a great time!
JAN B
Loop:Loop T
Site:T28
Reviewed a month ago
It was very pleasant. The camping is off-grid. Our major complaint would be that it isn't flat and it can be steep getting the the picnic tables and fire ring.
Laura B
Loop:Loop B
Site:B21
Reviewed a month ago
Love the cool temperatures and quiet site in the woods for vacation. There are no showers but running water in sinks and flush toilets. Tent pads are all level. Some are head in and others are pull thru for the car. All picnic tables have lantern hooks and there are fire pits. Close to the D-Day memorial in Bedford, VA.
Chuck L
Loop:Loop T
Site:T22
Reviewed 2 months ago
Park staff were extremely helpful and courteous. Very tight sights for a 30-ft RV. Hike to Peaks of Otter was awesome and very strenuous and so worth the views.
Benjamin F
Loop:Loop A
Site:A10
Reviewed 2 months ago
This was our second time coming as a family with young kids and dogs to camp. The campground is well-kept. The facilities as a whole are so nice. The surrounding area is beautiful and accessible and makes for plenty of fun for our whole crew 4 years-old and up. Above all the camp ground hosts are incredibly hospitable and kind. They went above and beyond to care for our young family during our stay. Highly recommend staying, camping, hiking. We didn’t meet an unfriendly person on the staff our entire stay at POO. Folks were so friendly, engaging, and kind.
Andrea J
Loop:Loop T
Site:T05
Reviewed 2 months ago
Beautiful area to camp! We enjoyed delicious dinner with a lake view from our table at Peaks Restaurant followed by a gorgeous walk around the Abbot Lake. We saw a family of Canadian Geese as we strolled and a deer munching vegetation in a tucked away spot. I loved listening to all the birds singing near our campsite the next morning. We took the shuttle bus to near the top of Sharp Top mountain where we enjoyed a short hike to the top. The views were amazing and we could see the lake below where we had walked the night before. The shorter hike gave us the opportunity to hike to nearby Falling Water Cascade off the Blue Rudge Patkway. Absolutely loved our visit here!
savannah l
Loop:Loop A
Site:A16
Reviewed 2 months ago
The campgrounds are beautiful. Everything was clean and the attendants were all cheerful and friendly. Wonder full to stay when wanting to hike sharp top
David S
Loop:Loop T
Site:T51
Reviewed 7 months ago
Older type campground and not what a lot of campers with big rigs want. with overhead pick up camper is idea as only looking for quite places to spend the night and enjoy the park.
Lenore B
Loop:Loop A
Site:A18
Reviewed 9 months ago
Enjoyed our stay. As advertised, there are restrooms, but no showers. Good hiking. If looking ahead at temperatures o the internet, it's cooler at the campground than in the surrounding towns.
Tony R
Loop:Loop T
Site:T51
Reviewed 9 months ago
Love this campground off the Blue Ridge Parkway. Very quiet and peaceful. Easy access to hiking and the Peaks of Otter Lodge.
Glynn J
Loop:Loop A
Site:A35
Reviewed 9 months ago
Amazing and VERY underrated campground the drive to it are incredible and the sites are clean and give you plenty of space. The staff is also extremely helpful
renee s
Loop:Loop A
Site:A34
Reviewed 9 months ago
Good spaces, clean bathrooms, and friendly volunteer hosts.
Frances M
Loop:Loop T
Site:T05
Reviewed 9 months ago
The restroom which was near the campsite we reserved in order to be close to a restroom was closed so we had to move to another site. Volunteer staff was very helpful. She even brought us a packet to make smores which was a highlight of our day. Wish the restrooms had at least electricity for light to find them more easily and when in the restroom at night. Many of the campsites in the RV loop were very unlevel making it more difficult for campers to add levelers so their campers could function properly.
Jill S
Loop:Loop A
Site:A43
Reviewed 9 months ago
Loved my stay at the Peaks of Otter campground. The hiking nearby was epic and enjoyed an early dinner at the lodge. The volunteers at the campground were very friendly and helpful and the sites at the campground and facilities were very nice and clean
Mark N
Loop:Loop T
Site:T12
Reviewed 9 months ago
Park personnel are friendly and helpful. The campground was quiet with few people there. Stay away from site T10 in the fall d/t falling walnuts. Camp sites are good but a few are in need of leveling and new asphalt. Upgrading the campsite to have electric would be a great improvement. I primitive camped for 12 years before and after having children, and I still don’t need a full hookup site but electricity makes things easier as you get older.
Dan P
Loop:Loop T
Site:T11
Reviewed 9 months ago
We love this campsite! We love rustic, primitive nature places with no hookups. We have a small travel trailer and enjoy places that have private campsites with a primitive setting. A few sites were just too small to park a vehicle and travel trailer. A note about reservations: less than half are able to be reserved, and honestly we wouldn't drive the windy roads to get there if we didn't have something booked.
Ken S
Loop:Loop T
Site:T07
Reviewed 9 months ago
We stayed one night in a 21' Class B RV. The volunteer, Denise, who managed the campground that night was very kind to protect us from a neighboring RV that had a propane leak. She was quite kind.
The campground was extremely quiet and not overly busy.
Jake E
Loop:Loop A
Site:A36
Reviewed 9 months ago
Great campground! Clean bathrooms that stayed stocked. Will definitely return.
Hendrik G
Loop:Loop A
Site:A15
Reviewed 9 months ago
very friendly rangers and host, camp site are spacy, clean camp ground
josh c
Loop:Loop T
Site:T06
Reviewed 9 months ago
Campsites were a little small and steep. Other than that, everything was perfect! Camp hosts were unbelievably nice; and there was an abundance of dead and down wood to have big warm fires. Beautiful spot!
Warren G
Loop:Loop T
Site:T22
Reviewed 9 months ago
Very friendly welcome as we checked in, and discussion of the site I reserved. We ended up choosing another site and were quickly accommodated. This is an older campground and you’ll have to do some leveling in most sites. Bath facilities were clean. Enjoyed dinner at the nearby lodge/restaurant which was very reasonable. Nice hiking trails to choose from.
Michael J
Loop:Loop A
Site:A25
Reviewed 9 months ago
We arrived and our campsite was well maintained and clean. And we realized after leaving we had left a wallet there, and the staff diligently looked for it including moving leaves aside and hunting in the rain. They were able to locate it and were kind enough to meet up to return it closer to where we live. The customer service was the best ive experienced in a very long time. They really do take care of each and every guest!
Courtney B
Loop:Loop A
Site:A41
Reviewed 9 months ago
We visited in October and the campground was completely full. It was still quiet and very clean. The hosts were AMAZING!!! It was our first time here, and there were so many things to do for a long weekend trip, we will definitely be back!
Misty B
Loop:Loop A
Site:A14
Reviewed 9 months ago
We enjoyed the peace and tranquility, we also went over to the the Peaks of Otter Restaurant which is a short walk from the camping site. The meal was delicious amd the waitress kind.
Beth F
Loop:Loop T
Site:T44
Reviewed 9 months ago
The volunteers and ranger were very friendly and helpful. We had no problems at all.
Cheryl S
Loop:Loop T
Site:T03
Reviewed 9 months ago
Peaks of Otter is a beautiful campground with a lot of great hiking in the area. The sites are small and on very hilly terrain so if you are not ready for some steps down or up to your picnic table and fire pit this may not be for you. for us it was fantastic.
Lance A
Loop:Loop A
Site:A17
Reviewed 10 months ago
This campground was perfect! Nice, established sites with firerings, picnic tables and a nearby restroom. It’s located right below Sharp Top and the staff were very friendly. Definitely coming back!
Cathie S
Loop:Loop A
Site:A25
Reviewed 10 months ago
I love going to this campground.The hosts & the rangers were so nice! They went out of their way to say hi everyday I camped alone w/my dog & it just made me feel great/secure.2nd time I've been-I will keep coming back Cathie & Rockamo
Kathy F
Loop:Loop A
Site:A11
Reviewed 10 months ago
The Staff was wonderful . They helped us find two tent sites close together and checked to see if we could delay checkout. We had a great time hiking and relaxing.
Steve R
Loop:Loop A
Site:A36
Reviewed 10 months ago
Very nice campground, the facilities were in good condition and bathroom well stocked. The Campground Hosts were awesome - even sharing a 's'mores kit' and blowing the falling leaves from our campsite! Fun times indeed.
Sharon E
Loop:Loop A
Site:A10
Reviewed 10 months ago
Extremely well-run campground; hosts were welcoming and wonderful. Campground kept very clean!
Lots of gnats and biting bugs were the only drawback.
Dwayne H
Loop:Loop A
Site:A09
Reviewed 10 months ago
Very friendly and helpful host. Campsite was perfect for my truck with attached SUV style tent.
Samuel D
Loop:Loop A
Site:A33
Reviewed 10 months ago
The camp leader and staff on duty were both very welcoming!
Beth K
Loop:Loop A
Site:A22
Reviewed 10 months ago
Love camping throughout Virginia and am grateful that Peaks of Otter is still open. The camp host was so kind and helpful. Hope funds continue to be allocated for these areas!
James K
Loop:Loop A
Site:A13
Reviewed 10 months ago
The campsites in A Loop were clean, level and quiet, despite their proximity to the highway; we hope that B Loop will be open next time we are here🙏🏻! Rangers, volunteers and staff were all so very helpful and ready to chat, which was inviting. Shops, visitors Center and the Lodge were all excellent. A nice surprise. Any chance for hot showers?
Kristine O
Loop:Loop T
Site:T51
Reviewed a year ago
We loved this rustic campground. We saw only 1-2 other campers during our august trip. It's primitive but you can drive or walk to the lodge and enjoy a great dinner in their restaurant if you don't feel like cooking out. Nice variety of trails for all levels of hikers. Kids enjoyed the ranger offerings and we hiked up to the old homestead and spoke to the interpretive volunteers. Took the bus to the top of the mountain. Trails up there were a little overgrown, but worth the view! Bring bug spray as the gnats were up enjoying the view too.
Robert R
Loop:Loop T
Site:T18
Reviewed a year ago
It was extremely dark. Extensive Forest canopy caused many surfaces to be covered with moss. Very hilly not a lot of flat area. No showers. The bathroom that I went into was clean and serviceable. No one was at the ranger station and there was a very confusing not well outlined self-check in process that I just guessed that. It was so depressing I went out and found another place to cook my dinner in The Breakfast the following morning. Inadequate place to park overnight but that's about all it's worth. A parking spot.
Popularity
Very quiet · 7%
Busiest in July, when about 7% of sites are booked. Based on 11 years of reservations.
