Hidden in the heart of Virginia’s Blue Ridge conveniently located within thirty minutes from the cities of Lynchburg and Roanoke, you’ll discover a crown jewel on The Blue Ridge Parkway, The Peaks of Otter. This spot at 85.6 on The Parkway is one of my favorite places to visit throughout the year. Named for the iconic three ‘peaks of Otter’ that tower over the lush valley below, this has been a place of refuge for centuries. Archaeological evidence shows that Native Americans frequented the area for over 8000 years! Early settlers moved into the region in the 1760s, Thomas Jefferson even ventured here to find solitude and hike the tallest of the peaks, Sharptop; by the mid-1800s The Peaks had developed a reputation as a travel retreat. Prior to the current lodge, a grand hotel known as The Hotel Mons once stood on site, sadly lost to the ravages of time.
Today, you can find that same solitude at the Peaks of Otter Lodge. Built in the 1960s, this cozy retreat is perfectly nestled in the shadow of the Peaks, overlooking the peaceful Abbott Lake—an ideal spot for a weekend getaway. Relax lakeside in an Adirondack chair as birds soar overhead, or meander along the scenic paved trail that hugs the shore. The main lodge serves up delicious, home-cooked meals in the beautiful Peaks Dining Room, also overlooking Abbott Lake. I can personally attest it’s one of the most scenic spots I’ve ever enjoyed breakfast!
In today’s post I’ll share fun things to do in the Peaks of Otter area to help you plan your Peaks adventure. The Peaks of Otter is a travel destination where you can get lost to become found.
Checking into solitude at the Peaks of Otter truly means tuning out the world’s hustle and bustle and reconnecting with nature. At Peaks of Otter Lodge, you won’t find cell phone reception, and Wi-Fi is limited. While this might initially sound like a digital detox nightmare for the phone-addicted, it’s truly a blessing. It allows you to genuinely disconnect and immerse yourself in the natural beauty surrounding you. As someone who’s always worked on vacation, constantly checking emails and fretting over the latest business deal, my weekends at the Peaks of Otter have been a powerful way to reset and recharge.
When my friends and family head to the Peaks of Otter for a long weekend, we always pack board games, those books we’ve been meaning to read, and our favorite snacks. We lace up our hiking boots and explore the area’s trails, cruise the scenic miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway, or join in on National Park Service or lodge activities like stargazing nights or live music at the lodge bar. My absolute favorite pastime is simply sitting by the lake, lost in a book, listening to the birdsong and the gentle rustling of wildflowers and grasses. As night falls, gathering by the fire pit for camp stories is always a highlight.
While I am usually one to rush from activity to activity, even when on the Blue Ridge Parkway, I have found myself slowing down a bit at The Peaks of Otter because there is so much to do within a short walking or driving distance from the main lodge.
Beyond the main lodge, the Peaks of Otter area also offers practical amenities for visitors, including a Sharp Top Convenience Store (conveniently located near the Sharp Top Shuttle) and a National Park Service Visitor Center, complete with a nearby campground. The Visitor Center staff are incredibly helpful, ready to provide essential trail and Parkway information, along with valuable tips to ensure you make the most of your Peaks of Otter adventure.
Fun Things to Do while staying at the Peaks of Otter:
Abbott Lake Trail: As you step outside the lodge, you can begin to walk the scenic lakeside trail: This easy twenty minute loop is paved and fairly accessible. The views of Abbott Lake are beautiful and you will often spot deer and other wildlife in the nearby meadows and forests, especially at dusk. The trail also leads to the historic Polly Woods Ordinary (more on that in a moment).
Visit the Polly Woods Ordinary: The Peaks of Otter has captivated visitors with its serenity for centuries, a legacy exemplified by historic structures like Polly Wood’s Ordinary. In the 1850s, widow Polly Wood built her ‘ordinary’—an early form of inn—just steps from where the main lodge now stands and adjacent to the lake trail. Designed to host weary travelers seeking respite, this log cabin, while appearing rustic to modern sensibilities, was considered a high-end boutique spot for those traversing the backwoods of Virginia in 1850. Today, the cabin offers a fascinating window into the lives of early travelers and the daily routines of a working innkeeper.
In 1952, Regional Historian Holland lauded the Ordinary, writing that it “is the most interesting and significant structure on the Blue Ridge Parkway.” During the construction of Abbott Lake in 1964, the National Park Service carefully reassembled the Ordinary a few hundred yards east of its original site, ensuring its preservation and making it more accessible to Blue Ridge Parkway visitors.
Visit Historic Johnson Farm: The earliest settlers into this area of Virginia were homestead farmers. In fact many of the local farms that continue to operate in the greater Peaks of Otter area are run by families of the original settlers like the Johnson and Gross families. Today you can enjoy a leisurely 1.1 (2 mile roundtrip) walk from the Peaks of Otter Lodge to Historic Johnson Farm. This is one of the remaining properties and homesteads from the community that existed around this vacation resort prior to the building of the Blue Ridge Parkway. It is currently furnished as it appeared in the 1930s and seasonally you can take tours of the property with costumed interpreters. Read about the farm history here.
Sharp Top earns its name from the distinctive, craggy rock formation that crowns its summit. Thomas Jefferson hiked to Sharp Top’s apex multiple times, even believing it to be one of, if not the, highest peak on the Eastern Seaboard. (That distinction, by the way, actually belongs to Mount Mitchell in North Carolina, with Mount Rogers being Virginia’s true tallest.) From the summit, you’ll feel as though you’ve ascended into a slice of heaven, greeted by breathtaking, soaring views of the surrounding Blue Ridge landscape. You’re so high up that the lodge and lake below diminish into tiny, distant dots, offering a truly humbling perspective. Plan your hike here
There are two ways to reach the summit of Sharptop. You can endure an arduous uphill climb (like Jefferson did) that is very intense on your knees, or you can take a shuttle to top of Sharptop. While the shuttle is an easier option, bear in mind you will still have a difficult hike when you reach the top – with tons of large stone stairs and pillars to climb. Either way it is worth the panting and being out of breath. The view is spectacular. Make sure to stay hydrated, wear a hat and sunscreen for sun protection.
Other area hiking trails near the Peaks of Otter:
Elk Run Loop starts right behind the Peaks of Otter Visitor Center. This short .8 mile hike is moderately strenuous and provides a self-guiding tour of the forest. NPS estimates this hike takes about an hour.
Harkening Hill Loop: Climb the peak of Harkening Hill, one of the Peaks of Otter with this 3.5 mile loop. This lovely woodland trail climbs a ridge where you’ll be rewarded with lovely views of the forest and mountain terrain. A spur path near the summit leads to Balanced Rock, an immense boulder balanced on a small rock. It is a fun hike and less crowded than Sharptop.
For those seeking diverse hiking experiences, the Flat Top Trail and Fallingwater Cascades Trail share a common start before diverging, offering two distinct adventures.
The Fallingwater Cascades Trail branches off as an easier, more popular 1.7-mile spur path. This segment of a National Recreation Trail is a beautiful loop, winding alongside the cascades of Fallingwater Creek. Hikers will discover huge rock outcrops draped in vibrant rhododendron and majestic hemlocks. The trail drops 260 feet below the Fallingwater Trail Parking Area, meaning a climb awaits on your return—but experiencing this stunning mountain cascade is absolutely worth the effort.
For a more challenging ascent, the Flat Top Trail stretches longer, rising to an elevation of 4,004 feet. From the Parkway trailhead, hikers will experience a significant climb or descent of 1,600 feet, traversing remarkable changes in forest ecology along the way.
For trail guides and info click here.
Drive down the Blue Ridge Parkway: Every visit to Peaks of Otter, my mom and I head north on the Parkway for an hour or two, driving up to the James River turnout where you can cross the James River over a bridge walk and learn about the history of the river as an important economic driver. I also recommend this site for Virginia’s Blue Ridge – it is run by Roanoke VA, and has lots of parkway info!
Explore Local Farms and Markets: A must stop during every visit to Peaks of Otter is Gross Orchards. They have the freshest fruits and veggies, along with a large assortment of jams, syrups and other treats that will make your mouth water. We love their blueberry syrup (which was perfect on vanilla ice cream). I also recommend the roadside gem, Mountain Fruit and Produce, which is known for its fresh made pies, jams and apple pie ice-cream.
The Peaks of Otter Winery is a popular place to sample locally made Virginia wine that is produced by the Johnson family descendants (Johnson’s Farm). Learn more here. There is also a local Meadery – Graham Ordinary and Meadery I need to check out on my next trip.
Farmland on the way to the winery (2023)
Enjoy a trip into Bedford: Only about ten to fifteen minutes from the Peaks of Otter, this charming small town is worth the detour The downtown is lined with local shops and restaurants as well as a history museum dedicated to Bedford County. Bedford is also home to the National D-Day Memorial, which commemorates the sacrifices and heroism of all those who fought for freedom in Normandy during the D-Day invasion on June 6th, 1944. Bedford was selected for this site because they lost more men per capita than any other city in America. You’ll notice banners of the ‘Bedford Boys’ as you drive through downtown Bedford. I tear up every time. What a sacrifice they made for freedom. Plan your Bedford trip here
Drive to Natural Bridge and Explore its Wonders: Where there are plenty of fun things to do right in the Peaks of Otter area, if you are staying for a few days I recommend making the thirty minute trip to Natural Bridge. This iconic geologic wonder has inspired generations of explorers and artists. Thomas Jefferson even owned the landmark for a time and worked to encourage tourism to the area. Natural Bridge is a state park with tons of beauty and geologic and human history. Website
Roanoke Excursion: If you need to plug back into city life for an afternoon, you’re just a thirty-minute drive south on the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway to the mountain city of Roanoke. We’ll feature Roanoke in an upcoming post, but suffice it to say it’s a fun urban oasis where you can drive to the top of Roanoke Mountain for the Mill Mountain Zoo and Roanoke Star, or head downtown to the world-class Taubman Museum of Art. Don’t forget to grab a coffee at Mill Mountain Coffee and Tea and enjoy the local shops and eateries! Tourism Site
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Lynchburg is also a fun day trip from The Peaks of Otter, we usually stop in Lynchburg on the way home (to Raleigh NC). Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest, Lynchburg Museums and Lynchburg’s Downtown are fun to explore. Click here to read our Lynchburg guide
Peaks of Otter at Night
The Peaks of Otter is a wonderful place to stargaze and is a dark sky oasis for astronomers. I’ve enjoyed seeing the Milky War, meteor showers and countless constellations during my visits to the Peaks. Another fun thing to do at night is to play board games in your room or in the downstairs area of the lodge (depending on availability). It’s nice to sleep with the moonlight as the only light seeping into your window.
The rooms do have televisions with cable programming, so you can catch a movie or game if you’d like. The wi-fi is hit or miss so don’t plan on working remotely here. This is truly a relaxation heaven.
The main lodge has a nice gift shop where you can purchase fun souvenirs. The lodge dining room has a great American fare menu with locally sourced foods and Virginia wines (Virginia is known for its quality wineries). I like that they offer gluten-free options as I have Celiac Disease. I recommend getting a reservation (if possible) as they fill up fast at night. *The lodge restaurant and Abbott Lakeside Trail is open to the public. Recently I stopped in for a snack on the way back from the Charlottesville area, even though I couldn’t stay the night. Just bear in mind you may have a longer wait, but worth checking out if you are nearby as you cruise along the parkway.
The bar area has a great menu of Peaks inspired specialty cocktails. Live music is often heard on weekends by local Virginia Bluegrass groups.
Reserving your stay at the Peaks of Otter Lodge: Check out their rates and specials here.
While I personally love staying at the lodge, the park service does offer a campground within walking distance of the main lodge (about fifteen minute walk) that is a great option if you prefer tent camping or have an RV. Book your camping reservation here.
When to visit: The Peaks of Otter Lodge is open seasonally from April to early November (usually) as it gets cold and icy here in the winter. Every season offers its own unique flavor. I love the summer because it is usually a bit cooler in the Blue Ridge than my home base in Raleigh (don’t get me wrong it’s still hot, but not inferno weather). The fall is a must visit at least once in your life, where the leaves are aflame in color and the crisp cool air ignites a spark in your soul. Fall in the Blue Ridge is heaven on earth to me.
I’ll make sure to share my Peaks of Otter pics when I return in the late summer/early fall. It is a place I keep returning to. It’s a calming spot that invites weary travelers to rest in its wonder.
Resources:
Next up we’ll take a tour of Roanoke, before heading back to the Carolinas for Revolutionary War Adventures with our Liberty Trails series.
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Hi, I’m Adele Lassiter, the travel enthusiast behind American Nomad Traveler. This is where I share my love for history, cool museums, art, and travel tips. When I’m not writing, I’m a singer-songwriter with a passion for Americana music. You can find my new album here: adelelassiter.bandcamp.com
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