Peaks of Otter is the perfect getaway for everyone and anyone. Read a book by Abbott Lake, hike to the summit of Sharp Top for stunning 360-degree views, learn about the history of Johnson Farm, and have a nice meal at the Peaks of Otter Restaurant. Peaks of Otter is worth checking out even if you only have one day to explore. It would be more ideal to stay for a weekend or a week, so you have plenty of time to experience all there is to offer!
Read my Complete Guide to Visiting Peaks of Otter to help plan your trip! Learn more about the best time to visit, where to stay, places to eat and drink, and the top things to do at Peaks of Otter and the surrounding area. It is a great area to explore and has so much beauty and history! Hiking to each of the three Peaks of Otter is the best part, in our opinion. 😉
Table of Contents
History of Peaks of Otter
Peaks of Otter has been a popular tourist destination since the early 1900s. Located within the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia, Peaks of Otter is made up of three mountain peaks – Sharp Top, Flat Top, and Harkening Hill. Native Americans first visited this area for hunting, traveling, and rest. Then the European Travelers established settlements here in the mid-1700s.
Polly Wood created the first local inn known as the “Ordinary” inside her log cabin in 1834. This was a place settlers could spend the night and get a warm meal. In the 1870s, the Mons Hotel was opened by Benjamin Walkes. Peaks of Otter grew to a home for 20 families and included a school, church, and the hotel. The Johnson family lived there until the 1930s on the Johnson farmstead which was restored in the 1970s.
By the early 1900s, Peaks of Otter became noticed by the National Park Service due to its growing popularity. The Peaks of Otter Lodge along with Abbott Lake was created in the mid-1960s. Now you can also find a visitor center, restaurant, gift shop, campground, picnic area, Sharp Top store, and hiking trails. The hiking trails are open year-round whereas everything else is open seasonally.
Best Time to Visit
The Peaks of Otter Lodge, campground, visitor center, stores, and shuttle bus are open from spring to fall. Learn more about the operating hours/days here. The hiking trails are open year-round. Personally, I think fall is the best time to visit! The leaves are beautifully colored red, yellow, and orange. The temperatures are perfect for outdoor activities, such as hiking. The crowds are not too crazy. And everything is still up and running for the season.
Where to Stay
There are many great options for places to stay at Peaks of Otter and in the nearby towns. Described below are the top two places to stay, which are the Peaks of Otter Lodge and its campground. If you are like me, you usually don’t book your stays too far in advance which could result in the best places already being booked. But don’t worry! There are other options available, and I made a small list below to help you out. However, always do thorough research to find the best fit for you (and your family)!
Peaks of Otter Lodge
The Peaks of Otter Lodge opened in 1964 and is considered a “historic legacy among Blue Ridge Parkway hotels.” They have rooms for the family, a couple, and pet-friendly accommodations. For the 2024 season, the Lodge will be opening on April 26th. You can book your stay here. The prices vary day to day and month to month. Plan in advance!
Peaks of Otter Campground
The Peaks of Otter Campground is opened seasonally from May to October. The cost is $20 per night. They do offer discounts for certain pass holders. The campground includes 88 tent sites and 51 RV-only sites (no electric hookups). They also have a dump station, trash/recycling collection, food storage lockers, firewood for sale, potable water, and flush toilets. They do have laundry services or showers. Don’t forget to check out the camp store!
Campsites are available first come, first serve. They can also be reserved 6 months in advance by visiting this website or by calling (877) 444-6777.
Other Places to Stay
I created a small list of several other places to stay close to Peaks of Otter. We have not personally stayed at any of these places. Make sure you do your research and compare prices, amenities, pet-friendly rooms, and accessibility. You can also check out airbnb.com, vrbo.com, and hotels.com for more options!
- Vanquility Acres Inn & Peaksview Cottages
- The Forget-Me-Not Bed and Breakfast
- Graham Ordinary Lodge
- Reba Farm Inn
- The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center
- Cedar Post Inn Bed & Breakfast
Top Things to Do
Hike
The number one thing to do at Peaks of Otter is hiking! There are seven beautiful trails at Peaks of Otter. All of them are family-friendly and pet-friendly! The hikes vary from easy to strenuous, and each trail range from 1 to 4.5 miles long.
The most exciting hikes are the ones that reach to each of the Peaks of Otter – Sharp Top, Flat Top, and Harkening Hill. And if you are looking for a challenge, try hiking all three Peaks of Otter in one day! To learn more about those three hikes to the peaks, click on the names for more details!
Sharp Top is the most popular hike of the three Peaks of Otter. It is also the most strenuous and most rewarding with 360-views at the summit. It is a 1.5-mile strenuous hike to reach the top where you will find a stone shelter and several viewing platforms. There is a shuttle bus that takes you close to the top with only 0.25 miles left for you to hike. Sharp Top is our personal favorite hike in the Peaks of Otter area! It is also the perfect spot to watch either sunrise or sunset. An absolutely amazing hike that won’t disappoint!
Flat Top is another strenuous-rated hike that takes you to the peak with stunning views awaiting. It is about a 2-mile hike one-way (if starting from the picnic area trailhead) with 1,600 feet of elevation gain. Flat Top is also the highest peak of the three Peaks of Otter, sitting at 4,001 feet! At the top, there are a few rocky outcrops that you can rock scramble on top of to see the spectacular views. Flat Top is also the least popular as compared to the other two peaks, so if you enjoy solitude this is the perfect trail for you!
Harkening Hill is the smallest of the three Peaks of Otter but has a lot to offer if combined with Johnson Farm. To simply reach Harkening Hill, it is about a 1.5-mile hike to the top. To complete the Harkening Hill Loop, it is about a 3.3-mile hike. Both rated as moderately difficult. Now, if you are up for hiking a little extra distance, add on Johnson Farm. This combined loop trail is about 4 miles long and includes Harkening Hill summit, the Balance Rock, Johnson Farm, and The Hotel Mons. Like I said, it has a lot to offer – beautiful views from the summit, a cool rock formation, and history!
4. Johnson Farm
I mentioned above that this is a great trail to combine with Harkening Hill, but if you only want to see the old farm and learn its history, it’s a nice short and easy hike. The Johnson Farm Loop trail is about 2-miles long and the perfect hike for almost everyone! The Johnson Farm was built in the 1850s and was occupied by the Johnson family until the 1940s. It was restored in the 1970s, and now there are living history demonstrations on a seasonal basis.
5. Elk Run Loop
This is a short 1-mile loop trail that begins behind the Peaks of Otter Visitor Center. It is rated as moderate difficulty and includes written displays which provide information about the forest community. This is a great educational hike!
6. Abbott Lake
This is the easiest of all the trails in the Peaks of Otter area. It is a simple 1-mile loop hike which is ADA accessible. This hike is a breath of fresh air and a perfect way to either begin or end your day at Peaks of Otter.
7. Fallingwater Cascades
The trailhead to Fallingwater Cascades is shared with the other trailhead to Flat Top Mountain at milepost 83 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It was actually designated as a continuous National Recreation Trail in April 1982 with Flat Top Trail. This hike is a little less than 2 miles long and rated as moderately difficult. You will be rewarded with a 100-foot waterfall and beautiful views of Flat Top and Sharp Top.
Eat/Drink
There are lots of great options for eating and drinking at Peaks of Otter and in the surrounding area. After a great day of hiking, I’m sure you and your family will be ready to dig into some delicious foods and yummy drinks. Below is a small list of nearby restaurants and bars. There are many more options out there to choose from with Bedford, Roanoke, and Lynchburg being the three biggest towns close by.
- Peaks of Otter Restaurant
- Peaks Bar & Lounge
- Foot of the Mountain Cafe
- Olde Liberty Station
- Billy’s Roanoke
There is also a really popular winery called Peaks of Otter Winery which offer wine tastings and fun festivals throughout the year! And if you like beer, there’s a great brewery called Beale’s located in Bedford, Virginia.
Unwind & Relax
There are lots of places to sit and relax around Peaks of Otter. Find a spot to read a book, watch the birds, listen to the sounds of nature, or spend time with family/friends. Go for a leisurely walk with your dog around Abbott Lake. Head over to the Peaks of Otter Picnic Area (opened from May to November) and have a nice, quiet lunch by the Little Stony Creek. Peaks of Otter is a great place to unwind and relax!
More Hikes Near Peaks of Otter
Take a drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway and discover more trails to hike! My husband and I love hiking. It’s literally our favorite thing in the world. We are always searching for more trails to tackle. Below is a list of more trails less than an hour’s drive from Peaks of Otter.
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