How long is Peaks of Otter hike?

The summit offers an impressive 360-degree view of the Peaks of Otter area, the Piedmont to the east, and the Shenandoah Valley with the Allegheny mountains to the west. Allow two hours for hiking up and one hour for hiking down.

Keeping this in consideration, Who owns Peaks of Otter?

The former operator ran the lodge for more than 20 years. Some area business owners have taken a hit since the lodge closed. “It’s been a big detriment to the community,” said Danny Johnson, owner of Johnson’s Orchards and the Peaks of Otter Winery.

Secondly Why is it called Peaks of Otter? The name Peaks of Otter may come from a Cherokee word for high places, from the nearby headwaters of the Otter River or from memories of a Scottish mountain.

Are there otters at Peaks of Otter?

The restaurant overlooks the lake where you can see otters swimming late in the evening or early in the morning, at least in our experience.

Can you swim at Peaks of Otter?

1 answer. There is no swimming here at the lodge; however, there are a couple of venues pretty close by if you care to drive to them. The town of Buchanan has great river tubing with Twin Rivers Outfitters (15 minute drive). Smith Mountain Lake has a nice state park with swimming (35 minute drive).

How long of a hike is sharp top?

The Sharp Top hike is a classic 3-mile round trip (out and back) at the Peaks of Otter. It was long thought to be Virginia’s tallest mountain, when in fact, it is not even the tallest of the Peaks of Otter. Nearby Flat Top rises to 4,001 feet.

What are the names of the Peaks of Otter?

The Peaks of Otter are three mountain peaks in the Blue Ridge Mountains, overlooking the town of Bedford, Virginia. These peaks are Sharp Top (3862 feet), Flat Top (3994 feet), and Harkening Hill (3372 feet).

Can you fish at the Peaks of Otter?

Anglers are prohibited from using live bait or boats, so fishing from the shoreline with artificial lures is required.

How far is it to Peaks of Otter?

Peaks of Otter – Milepost 85.6.

What city is Peaks of Otter in?

The Peaks of Otter are three mountain peaks in the Blue Ridge Mountains, overlooking the town of Bedford, Virginia, which lies nine miles (14 km) to the southeast along State Route 43.

Are dogs allowed at Peaks of Otter?

Pet Policies

We are happy to offer pet friendly rooms at Peaks of Otter Lodge. … No more than two well-behaved pets per room are permitted.

Is Crabtree Falls VA open?

Crabtree Falls can be reached from the Blue Ridge Parkway by travelling to milepost 27. Exit onto VA 56 going east and follow the signs to Crabtree Falls (about 6.3 miles). It is open from dawn to dusk daily.

How difficult is sharp top hike?

Sharp Top Trail is a 2.6 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Bedford, Virginia that offers the chance to see wildlife and is rated as difficult. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from March until November. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.

Is Sharp Top on the Appalachian Trail?

Sharp Top can be accessed from the north or the south along the Appalachian Trail. From Blue Ridge Gap, via the AT, hike 3.1 miles north to Bly Gap, then less than 1/2 mile to highpoint of the AT along Sharp Top’s ridge (total one-way distance to high top is approximately 3.5 miles).

Is Humpback Rock trail open?

Humpback Rocks is a favorite destination in the fall to view migrating birds, especially hawks. Or, travel a little further to the Greenstone Parking Overlook for a low-key self-guiding nature hike at milepost 8.8. Although the trails are open year-round, most facilities close during the winter months.

Where Is Peaks of Otter VA?

Peaks of Otter Lodge is located at Milepost 86, north of Roanoke on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Is Humpback Rock Trail open?

Humpback Rocks is a favorite destination in the fall to view migrating birds, especially hawks. Or, travel a little further to the Greenstone Parking Overlook for a low-key self-guiding nature hike at milepost 8.8. Although the trails are open year-round, most facilities close during the winter months.

Where are the Blue Ridge Mountains?

The beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains cover most of Western North Carolina, including Asheville. While they extend from Georgia to Pennsylvania, the highest peaks are found here.

Can you drive to the top of Sharp Top?

For a schedule, visit the Lodge’s Sharp Top Bus Tour web page. Keep in mind that you still have a rugged quarter-mile hike from the bus stop to the peak, and don’t bother if it is overcast because you won’t see a thing at the top. No cars or hikers are allowed on the road to the top.

Is Crabtree Falls a hard hike?

The scenic 2.5-mile loop trail to Crabtree Falls is moderate to strenuous with a steep incline and rocky terrain. Hikers should allow 1.5 to 2.5 hours for the entire hike.

Can you swim at Crabtree Falls VA?

Plunging over a series of five major cascades with a vertical drop as high as the Empire State Building, Crabtree Falls is the highest of its kind east of the Mississippi River at 1,200 feet. … Whatever you do, don’t swim or climb anywhere on the waterfall!

What is the tallest waterfall in Virginia?

Crabtree Falls might be the highest waterfall east of the Mississippi, depending on how you measure a waterfall, but there is no doubt that Crabtree Falls is the highest waterfall in Virginia.

How long is the McAfee Knob hike?

McAfee Knob Trail Length

Follow the approximately 4.4 mile, white-blazed trail that gradually makes the ascent to McAfee Knob – a peak of 3,197 feet. For the return, retrace your steps along the trail for a round-trip hike that’s approximately 8.8 miles.

Is Roaring Run open?

Area Status: Open

Roaring Run is a popular get-away for escaping the summer heat. It features shady picnic spots, a native trout stream and a 1 ½ -mile scenic loop trail that follows Roaring Run Creek to a cascading waterfall.