## Overview

 Otter Creek Campground is located at the Blue Ridge Parkway\'s lowest elevation, only 649 feet above sea level. Picturesque Otter Creek winds through this quiet, rustic campground. Night skies are spectacular here, and there are several nearby trails to hike including the Otter Creek Trail, which is accessible from the campground. Just imagine enjoying the crackle of an evening campfire with the murmur of the creek in the background! Relax.... 
## 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 Lake Loop, and James River Canal. Hike the Otter Creek Trail to James River Visitor Center. There visitors can view a restored canal lock from the Kanawha Canal, part of the historic James River transporation artery which was once the primary commercial route in the state of Virginia. 
## Facilities

 Both RV and tent sites are available at this well-kept campground. Sites are equipped with grills, picnic tables and lantern posts. Amenities such as flush toilets, drinking water and a dump station are also at hand. In addition to the 39 sites available for advance reservation, 29 campsites are available on a first come, first served basis. Availability of first come, first served sites cannot be tracked through Recreation.gov. These sites must be booked in person at the campground kiosk. 
## Natural Features

 This area\'s abundant water and warmer temperatures support plant and animal communities that are unlike those found at other areas on the Parkway. A short walk along the Trail of Trees or a hike along the clear, cool waters of Otter Creek will give ample proof that there is more to the Blue Ridge Parkway than mountain-top vistas. 
## Nearby Attractions

 Otter Creek Trail (3.5 miles/5.6 km) parallels the Parkway road as it meanders from Otter Creek campground to the James River Visitor Center. Most sections of this trail are easy to hike and can be reached from many points along the motor road. Otter Lake Loop Trail (0.9 miles/1.4 km) provides scenic views of Otter Lake. This is also a good trail for watching wildlife. Look for beaver lodges and dams along tributary streams. Early morning and late evening are prime times for wildlife observations. Trail of Trees (0.4 miles/.6 km) begins near the James River Visitor Center and wanders through a shaded stream drainage. Trail signs identify many of the trees and shrubs of the river valley. This trail also affords a handsome view of the James River water gap, a rare geological feature. Canal Lock Trail (0.4 miles/.6 km) begins at the visitor center and crosses the James River on a walkway beneath the bridge. The restored Battery Creek Lock, located a short distance from the bridge, is typical of those constructed in the 1800s as part of the James River and Kanawha Canal. This canal, with nearly 100 locks, helped make the river a major transportation corridor before the Civil War. Exhibits at the Battery Creek site explain how locks were used to raise and lower boats to adjust for the changing elevation of the river.

Otter Creek Campground — Blue Ridge Parkway

This site is close to the AT and blue ridge parkway and about an hour from Shenandoah Nat’l Park. Clean bathroom, spacious sites, very pretty creek. The sites are pretty open without much privacy.

Family friendly and close to a lot of great hiking!

My wife and I stayed here for one night driving along The Blue Ridge Parkway.  The creek ran right through our spacious and secluded site.  It was quiet and serene- just what we were looking for before heading back to city life.


Perfect overnight stop along the Blue Ridge Parkway

It’s so serene and peaceful! A great place to unwind and relax! Wonderful park host... no better place than this!

What a wonder place. 

The campsites are slightly small and they’re fairly close together so there’s not much privacy, but they are very well maintained. It’s close to three different hikes, each a different grade and there’s a nice pond you can drive too. 

Cute little area!

We ended up getting in late but the place was very quite and clean. Perfect for our first night in the woods. Nearest cell signal is about ten miles up at the House Mountain Overlook. Rangers on site were super sweet. 

Amazing late night stop 

Stayed in tent sites…Overlanding in my Jeep…single woman..felt safe
Campground hosts were wonderful!
Clean area