Peaks of Otter Campground About the Campground: The Peaks of Otter Campground is located in Virginia's Jefferson National Forest, on milepost 85.6. This is typical of many overlooks and trails along the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Blue Ridge Parkway Guide is a privately owned website authored by Joe Veler and Sarah Cooke, who began work on the site after discovering their shared love of the Parkway. To start the hike, take the walkway at the left side of the trail map sign to a set of stairs that takes you below the dam. The 0.4 mile Trail of Trees has signs that identify many of the trees and shrubs of the river valley. Walk around to the right and you will soon see some concrete stepping stones on which you can walk across the creek. The Blue Ridge Parkway is a National Parkway and All-American Road in the United States, noted for its scenic beauty. Final walk back to your car along the Blue Ridge Parkway, Next Stop South | Next Stop North | Otter Creek and James River Hiking Trails | Scenic Overlooks, © 2020 Copyright Steven L. Markos. Here you will find an information panel with a trail map. Climb the Tanawha Trail through thick, rough timberland before summiting the edge, getting a view in the wake of stunning perspective from a progression of wooden stages, footpaths, and broad stone outcrops. Peaks of Otter (MP 86) near the Peaks of Otter Lodge, Abbott Lake, the restored 1930s Johnson Farm, and a magnificent trail system. Facilities include water, comfort stations with flush toilets and sinks. There is also a trail that circles the lake, the Otter Lake Loop Trail. The Trail follows near the Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway from Shenadoah National Park to near Roanoke, VA. Several short sections of the AT can be hiked from the Parkway. Otter Creek Trail. Lower Otter Creek Overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway, View: ♦ ♦ / 5 When crossing the creek you can get a good view of the dam from below. The perspectives from Rough Ridge are just the absolute best on the Blue Ridge Parkway. You can go right on the Otter Creek Trail, an easy trail that runs 3.5 miles from the Otter Creek Campground to the James River Visitor Center, or left to begin the Otter Lake Loop Trail. 61.4 760 ft Terrapin Hill Overlook picnic table - Otter Creek Trail. Area hikes include: Trail of Trees, Otter Creek, Otter Lake Loop and James River Canal Trails. Otter Creek Trail. Fishing & Hiking on Otter Lake. Recreation The James River/Otter Creek recreation area has fishing in Otter Lake and a number of hiking trails including Trail of Trees, Otter Creek, Otter … Time: 45 minutes Things to do: Otter Creek is near James River, which is both Virginia's longest river and the Blue Ridge's Parkway's lowest point. Instead, you must keep walking on whatever rocks you can find to make it a little farther up the creek in the direction of the dam until you get to a stone staircase. The links below provide … Otter Creek Trail Natural Bridge Appalachian Trail 63.1 Otter Lake Loop Trail Available 63.6 James River Canal Trail Available 63.6 Trail of Trees Natural Bridge Appalachian Trail Club 74.7 Thunder Ridge Trail … Start by deciding on what you would like to see. The James River/Otter Creek recreation area has a campground, restaurant, picnic area, hiking … Head out on the Lake Trail, now circling Abbott Lake, named for the Blue Ridge Parkway’s chief architect. At one of the many overlooks of the twisting Blue Ridge Parkway. WorldCat Home About WorldCat Help. No cell signal. Please select travel dates . While bad for ecology, it was great for scenic views. No showers or hook-ups. Shortly after reaching the bottom, the trail crosses a small creek via a footbridge. The parkway, which is America's longest linear park, runs for 469 miles (755 km) … Bridge over Otter Creek As with the Terrapin Hill View pullout just to the north, the Lower Otter Creek Overlook allows access to the Otter Creek Trail, which runs 3.5 miles one way from the … Create lists, bibliographies and reviews: or Search WorldCat. At the north end of the trail is the Otter Creek Campground (BRP MP 61) with 45 tent sites and 24 RV/Trailer sites with facilities. Indian Gap Rocks is a 0.3 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Buena Vista, Virginia that features a great forest setting and is good for all skill levels. However, this only counts the actual earthen trail. READ MORE: 15 Places You Must Visit on the Blue Ridge Parkway. View, Modify, or Cancel Reservation . Advanced Search Find a Library. 84 to 87 Peaks of Otter are three mountain peaks which have been popular viewing sites since the days of Thomas Jefferson. Check Rates . Starting at James River Visitor Center, amble alongside Otter Creek to Otter Lake. Kids who hike any of these trails can register their hike at kidsinparks.com to win prizes to make their next outdoor adventure more fun. The trail is easy to walk and crosses the creek numerous times on stepping stones and pedestrian bridges. Approach From the Peaks of Otter Lodge, follow the Blue Ridge Parkway north 2.4 miles to the Falling Water Cascades Parking lot on your left. Otter Creek Trail. Check Rates. Blue Ridge Parkway : Otter Creek & James River trails. Otter Creek Trail is a 4.6 mile out and back trail located near Monroe, Virginia that features a great forest setting and is good for all skill levels. MP 324.8 61.6: n/a: Otter Creek Bridge. If you parked by the dam, you have another tenth of a mile beyond that. This area's abundant water and warmer temperatures support plant and animal communities that are unlike those found at other areas on the Parkway. Over 200 photographers have contributed images of this 469-mile scenic … Blue Ridge Parkway Dining Peaks of Otter’s Lake View Restaurant is a renowned destination for dining with a menu featuring fresh and organic local ingredients and regional specialties. All Rights reserved.Designed by www.orange-themes.com, Otter Creek and James River Hiking Trails. A bridge spans the wet area, but if it has been raining, it might not be long enough. You will, however, begin hiking farther and farther from the lake, so you won’t see it again until you get back to the parking lot. Code . Otter Lake Loop Trail. Just a few minutes past the swamp is the bridge over Otter Creek, and just beyond the creek is the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Peaks of Otter Lodge is one of just two lodges located on the Parkway and the only lodge on the Parkway in Virginia. Otter Creek Trail. Like all of the other campgrounds, Julian Price is open from mid-May until the end of October. That’s the Otter Lake Loop Trail. While I did not hike this trail, the Blue Ridge Parkway Outdoor Guide rates it as an easy hike. There are two creeks that flow into Otter Lake, with one being Otter Creek. If the trail wasn’t but a mile long, heading back to the parking lot wouldn’t be a bad idea, but stick it out, for you are pretty much done with the uphill climbs. Otter Creek Trail is a nice little out and back that meanders alongside its namesake creek. From the Peaks of Otter Campground, Virginia, a visitor can easily explore the iconic mountains of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Picnic Tables: 3 (no grills). You will also see a trail sign at this point. Trails: Otter Creek Trail Not to worry, for the walk to the overlook is done via a short loop, so whichever way you go, you will end up back where you are now. About halfway around the loop is the overlook, and while you can see Otter Lake, the view is partially blocked and you can’t get a decent photo. The Otter Lake Loop Trail is for those who want to get some exercise, not for those who simply want to get a nice photo of Otter Lake. The bridge over a wetland comes up short during high water periods. Blue Ridge Parkway / Otter Creek Campground in Bedford is rated 5.9 of 10 at … Blue Ridge Parkway Campground Information. Escape the bustle and experience an amazing hiking and camping trip. … Author/creator: United States. Otter Creek and James River Trails As Otter Creek descends to the James River, the Blue Ridge Parkway dips to its lowest elevation, roughly 650 feet above sea level. Otter Creek Recreational Area. It does not take into account that you have to walk nearly a quarter mile along the Blue Ridge Parkway to get back to your car, making the overall length of the hike 1 mile. Trail head begins at Peaks Visitor Center. Sharp Top, along with Flat Top and Harkening Hill, make up the namesake three "Peaks of Otter." Being a National Park camp, there are not showers or hookups. The trail is primarily used for hiking, … This area's abundant water and warmer temperatures support plant and animal communities that are unlike those found at other areas on the Parkway. If you want that Pulitzer Prize winning Otter Creek photo, take it from one of the bridges. Special Feature - Proprietary 360 degree tour of overlooks, … Coordinates for the hike: 37.4731200,-79.5806050 Parking / … The Parkway extends 469 miles mostly along the crest of the Blue Ridge mountains through North Carolina and Virginia. The campground is open from mid-May until the end of October. Otter Creek Trail begins at a local campsite and runs for a moderately strenuous 3½ miles; you can access it at different points from overlooks at Mile 61.4, Mile 62.5 and Mile 63.1. Notice that the trail rarely skirts the shoreline, and most of the time it’s not even close to the lake. 61.6 n/a Otter Creek Bridge. Otter Lake is a man-made lake formed by damming Otter Creek. Milepost 71 - Petites Gap to Cave Mountain Lake , seven miles off the Parkway … As Otter Creek descends to the James River, the Blue Ridge Parkway dips to its lowest elevation, only 649 feet above sea level. 0.3: Moderate: 8.8: Greenstone Trail Self-guiding; Greenstone geology formation. Photo Credit: Creative Dog Media, IG … From end to end it carves a 469-mile path along the spine of the Blue Ridge, acting as a regional corridor for … National Park Service. As soon as you get across Otter Creek you will see a trail that goes straight up a muddy hill. Find items in libraries near you. Blue Ridge Parkway MP 61 Monroe, VA 24574; Phone 828-298-6082 ; City Monroe Locality Amherst. It’s located near Lynchburg, Virginia, by the James River.Since the Parkway is numbered from north to south, you’ll find Otter Creek … For a really easy jaunt, head to the James River Visitor Center at Mile 63.6 and take the 0.2-mile James River Trail to the restored James River and Kanawha Canal lock, built between 1845–51. There are numerous TRACK Trails in this area include five TRACK trails on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The 1.8-mile Johnson Farm Loop Trail takes visitors to the historic Johnson Farm to see what life on a farm was like in the late 1800’s. Oak/Hickory forest. There are several trails to explore here, too. You can go right on the Otter Creek Trail, an easy trail that runs 3.5 miles from the Otter Creek Campground to the James River Visitor Center, or left to begin the Otter Lake Loop Trail. Picnic Tables: None. All Rights reserved.Designed by www.orange-themes.com. The Otter Lake Loop Trail is one of the victims. READ MORE: Where to Find the Visitor Centers on ... it’s easy to see why the Peaks of Otter is one of the most picturesque places on the Blue Ridge Parkway. To get to the trail, cross the creek via one of two bridges, each on opposite ends of the parking area. Located about a mile off the Blue Ridge Parkway from Milepost 27. The Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the Southeast’s most treasured resources. A shuttle bus provides service to Sharp Top. This hike is quietly beautiful from end to end. However, 85 years later, the forest has reclaimed the land, and many of the scenic views are now obscured by vegetation. Otter Creek was a heavily used travel route from the mountains above to the James River and above the threat of flood. Book early and save with great discounts off hot mid-week dates! When … Heavy logging had taken place within the Blue Ridge Mountains at the time construction on the Parkway began in 1935. Notable trails include the rewarding 360-degree view of the Peaks of Otter area from Sharp Top Mountain, and the strenuous, yet beautiful Flat Top trail. Camping is one way visitors traveling through the Blue Ridge Parkway can spend the night under the stars in one of America’s most beautiful natural settings. Your help supports necessary Parkway educational and interpretive events, maintains and improves Parkway lands and assets as well as major Parkway sites ABOUT US FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway is a membership-based, National Park Service Blue Ridge Parkway partner organization, that provides volunteers and funding for projects, special events, and NPS programs along the Parkway. There over 369 miles of hiking trails along the Blue Ridge Parkway, so one of the most daunting tasks facing hikers may be choosing which trail to explore. The inquisitive visitor will discover the Otter Creek Trail. This 3.5 mile trail meanders along the creek and Parkway motor road from the campground to the visitor center. This is a Peaks of … Somebody had torn down a fishing regulation sign and used it to extend the bridge to the land. I also completed two trails at the visitor center. It is a popular tourist attraction on the Blue Ridge Parkway, for both the lake and dam are quite scenic. A beautiful fall hike at Otter Creek Loop Trail. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, running, and nature … Milepost 58-63.6 - Otter Creek runs 10 miles down the Blue Ridge to the James River, and Otter Lake is accessible from the Otter Creek Campground. 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Price is open from mid-May the! Old cabin ruins on the Parkway, Otter Creek campground is just 2 miles.! Overlook picnic table - Otter Creek ( MP 61 ) is located at the time construction the... Starting at James River visitor Center numerous TRACK trails on or near the dam to start hike. Can register their hike at kidsinparks.com to win prizes to make their next Outdoor adventure more fun Trail exercise. Trail crosses a small Creek via a footbridge tourist attraction on the Blue Ridge mountains north... ’ s largest campground, restaurant, picnic area, but back 2015 i. Other campgrounds, Julian Price is open from mid-May until the end of October with! `` Peaks of Otter Lodge is one of just two lodges located the! Follows the Creek from the Peaks of Otter are three mountain Peaks which have been popular viewing sites since days! Water gap campground, Virginia, a visitor can easily explore the iconic mountains of the Lake this only the! 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