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Recreation.govNC

Otter Creek Campground

Blue Ridge Parkway

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Campground guide

What to know before booking

Otter Creek Campground is located at the Blue Ridge Parkway's lowest elevation, only 649 feet above sea level. Both RV and tent sites are available at this well-kept campground. This area's abundant water and warmer temperatures support plant and animal communities that are unlike those found at other areas on the Parkway.

max Stay

30 days

Official campground details, summarized

Concise planning notes based on the public Recreation.gov campground information.

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. All sites are available for advance reservation, and may be booked on the day of arrival.

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.

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.

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.

Campsite map

Site markers come from Recreation.gov campsite coordinates.

69 mapped sites

Campsites

A sample of official campsite metadata for scanning equipment fit before booking.

Site 018

B

TENT ONLY NONELECTRIC

—

vehicle

6

people

Full

shade

Site 057

A

RV NONELECTRIC

31 ft

vehicle

6

people

Full

shade

Site 063

A

RV NONELECTRIC

35 ft

vehicle

6

people

Full

shade

Site 040

B

TENT ONLY NONELECTRIC

—

vehicle

6

people

Full

shade

Site 025

B

TENT ONLY NONELECTRIC

—

vehicle

6

people

Full

shade

Site 056

A

RV NONELECTRIC

30 ft

vehicle

6

people

Full

shade

Site 008

B

TENT ONLY NONELECTRIC

—

vehicle

6

people

Full

shade

Site 045

B

TENT ONLY NONELECTRIC

—

vehicle

6

people

Full

shade

Site 047

A

RV NONELECTRIC

18 ft

vehicle

6

people

Full

shade

Site 049

A

RV NONELECTRIC

16 ft

vehicle

6

people

Full

shade

Site 017

B

TENT ONLY NONELECTRIC

—

vehicle

6

people

Full

shade

Site 016

B

TENT ONLY NONELECTRIC

—

vehicle

6

people

Full

shade

Site 039

B

TENT ONLY NONELECTRIC

—

vehicle

6

people

Full

shade

Site 010

B

TENT ONLY NONELECTRIC

—

vehicle

6

people

Full

shade

Site 069

A

RV NONELECTRIC

23 ft

vehicle

6

people

Full

shade

Site 015

B

TENT ONLY NONELECTRIC

—

vehicle

6

people

Full

shade

Site 019

B

TENT ONLY NONELECTRIC

—

vehicle

6

people

Full

shade

Site 067

A

RV NONELECTRIC

34 ft

vehicle

6

people

Full

shade

Site 061

A

RV NONELECTRIC

26 ft

vehicle

6

people

Full

shade

Site 050

A

RV NONELECTRIC

28 ft

vehicle

6

people

Full

shade

Site 055

A

RV NONELECTRIC

20 ft

vehicle

6

people

Full

shade

Site 006

B

TENT ONLY NONELECTRIC

—

vehicle

6

people

Full

shade

Site 034

B

TENT ONLY NONELECTRIC

—

vehicle

6

people

Full

shade

Site 012

B

TENT ONLY NONELECTRIC

—

vehicle

6

people

Full

shade

Important notices

Firewood Regulation: Only heat-treated firewood bundled in its original packing and bearing a certification seal from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) or a state department of agriculture may be brought onto the Parkway. Campers may still collect dead and down wood in the immediate vicinity of campgrounds and picnic areas. This rule is strictly enforced!
Don't Move Firewood: Help protect our forests! Prevent the spread of tree-killing pests by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site. Moving firewood is illegal in some states. Visit dontmovefirewood.org to learn more.
Campsites at this facility are available on a Reservation Only basis through www.recreation.gov, up to and including the day of arrival. If Reservable sites are still not formally reserved upon arrival, they may be reserved at that time on www.recreation.gov or for a one night stay through the on duty attendant.
There are no showers. No electric, water, or sewer hook-ups are available.

More at Blue Ridge Parkway

Other tracked campgrounds from the same park or area.

Surrounding campgrounds

Other tracked campgrounds within driving distance, nearest first.

Common questions

Is Otter Creek Campground available right now?

Kestrel's most recent scan found no open sites in the next 14 days. Set an alert and you'll be emailed the moment one opens up.

How do I book Otter Creek Campground?

Reservations are handled by Recreation.gov, not by Kestrel. Use the official reservation link on this page to book. Kestrel only watches availability and tells you when a site frees up.

How quickly will I hear about a cancellation?

Kestrel rescans every two minutes, and every 30 seconds during the provider's daily release window. Alerts go out by email as soon as a matching site appears.