Peaks of Otter
Bedford, VA
Three peaks around Abbott Lake at Blue Ridge Parkway milepost 86, with a lakeside loop and a steep 1.5-mile trail to the boulder summit of Sharp Top. Visitor center, picnic area and campground.
The Peaks of Otter lie at milepost 85.6 of the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia. Three summits rise above the valley: Flat Top (4,001 ft / 1,220 m), Sharp Top (3,875 ft / 1,181 m) and Harkening Hill (3,372 ft / 1,028 m). Between them lies Abbott Lake, created in 1964, with a paved loop trail of about 1 mile (1.6 km). Archaeological finds show that people have visited the area for at least 8,000 years; settlers arrived in 1766, and in 1834 Polly Wood opened the first inn here.
The most popular trail climbs Sharp Top: about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) one way, with an elevation gain of roughly 1,300 ft (400 m). If you would rather not hike all the way, a shuttle bus runs to within about 1,500 ft (450 m) of the summit (seasonal service). Allow several hours for the climb. At the foot of the mountains you will find a visitor center (open May to October, according to the park), a picnic area on Little Stoney Creek and a Parkway campground with 144 sites, 52 of them for RVs and trailers.
- Nearest town
- Bedford, VA
- Category
- Scenic viewpoints
- GPS
- 37.4450, -79.6093
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in April, July–August and October. Cold, short days in January–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Sources
Featured in these trip guides
© Jennifer Glass · CC BY-SA 3.0Jefferson and Madison country: Montpelier to the Peaks of Otter
© Nicolas Raymond from Bethesda, Maryland, USA · CC BY 2.0Blue mountains, golden autumn – along Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway into the Great Smoky Mountains
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Peaks of Otter CampgroundCampsite0 mi from Peaks of OtterTentsCaravansDrinking waterToiletsWaste disposal
- North Creek CampgroundCampsite7 mi from Peaks of Otter · 12 pitches
- Hopper Creek Group CampgroundCampsite10 mi from Peaks of Otter · 50 pitches
- Natural Bridge / Lexington KOA HolidayMotorhome stopover17 mi from Peaks of OtterMotorhomesElectricityWi-Fi
- Lynchburg / Blue Ridge Parkway KOA HolidayMotorhome stopover18 mi from Peaks of OtterMotorhomes
- Camp LowmanCampsite22 mi from Peaks of Otter
All campsites in Virginia · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Peaks of Otter?
Peaks of Otter is in Bedford, VA, at GPS 37.4450, -79.6093. It is about 22 mi from Roanoke.
Can you camp near Peaks of Otter?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Peaks of Otter Campground, about 0 mi away; within 25 mi there are 12 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Peaks of Otter?
Peaks of Otter is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Jefferson and Madison country: Montpelier to the Peaks of Otter and Blue mountains, golden autumn – along Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway into the Great Smoky Mountains.
What is there to see near Peaks of Otter?
Places worth a stop nearby: Natural Bridge State Park (13 mi), Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest (20 mi), Lexington Historic Downtown (25 mi) and Appomattox Court House National Historical Park (45 mi).
When is the best time to visit Peaks of Otter?
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in April, July–August and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)