Peaks of Otter Campground along the Blue Ridge Parkway at Milepost 86 near Bedford Virginia offers primitive tent and RV camping in a wooded setting. Best suited for smaller RVs. Reservations available. Water, comfort stations with flush toilets and cold water sinks but no showers or hook-ups. Area hikes include: Sharp Top, Elk Run, Harkening Hill and Johnson Farm Trails. The campground is located just off the parkway on VA 43. Note: Campground is terraced along the side of a hill making maneuvering difficult for all but the smallest of RVs.
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.
What campers say
Peaks of Otter Campground is a scenic, well-maintained Blue Ridge Parkway site favored for hiking access (Sharp Top and other peaks), lake views, and an on-site visitor center and lodge. Sites are generally clean and well spaced, with sturdy picnic tables, fire rings and restrooms, but the campground is rustic: there are no electrical or water hookups and showers are off-site. Cell service is limited and RV pads suit smaller rigs (roughly under 25'). Rangers and camp hosts are noted as helpful, and bear activity means strict food-storage enforcement. Expect quiet evenings, but some sites can be small or uneven.
