Overview

Natural Features:

Three mountain peaks sit atop a thick blanket of forest along the famous Blue Ridge Parkway, making up the Peaks of Otter-- a recreational oasis spanning acres upon acres of rolling landscape.

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.

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 also winds through the campground and picnic area, creating a tranquil backdrop for your camping trip.

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 tables, campfire rings and grills. The site also offers modern conveniences like flush toilets, drinking water and a dump station.

Nearby Attractions:

The Peaks of Otter Lodge and Restaurant are located within walking distance of the campground, offering a country store and gift shop.

Also located a short walk away is The Johnson Farm, an old mountain farmstead that has been restored and preserved to look as it did in the mid-1800s. Another historic structure, Aunt Polly's Ordinary, has also been restored and sits on the northeastern shore of Abbott Lake.