Peaks of Otter facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Peaks of Otter |
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Abbot Lake and Sharp Top in winter
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | Sharp Top 3,875 feet (1,181 m) Flat Top 4,001 feet (1,220 m) Harkening Hill 3,372 feet (1,028 m) |
| Geography | |
| Location | Bedford / Botetourt counties, Virginia, U.S. |
| Parent range | Blue Ridge Mountains |
| Topo map | USGS |
| Geology | |
| Age of rock | Precambrian |
| Mountain type | granite |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Hike |
The Peaks of Otter are three amazing mountain tops in the Blue Ridge Mountains. They look over the town of Bedford, Virginia, which is about nine miles (14 km) away. These three peaks are called Sharp Top, Flat Top, and Harkening Hill.
Right in the middle of these three peaks, you'll find a man-made lake called Abbott Lake. It sits behind the Peaks of Otter Lodge and a restaurant. The National Park Service takes care of these mountains and the lake, making them part of the beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway.
Long ago, Thomas Jefferson thought the Peaks of Otter were some of the tallest mountains in North America, when measured from their base. Even though this wasn't quite true, Virginia still sent stones from these peaks to be part of the famous Washington Monument.
History of the Peaks of Otter
The Peaks of Otter are located at milepost marker 86 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Scientists have found proof that Native Americans visited this area for at least 8,000 years. They came here to hunt, travel, and rest.
European settlers started moving into the area in the mid-1700s. In 1766, Thomas Wood and his family from Pennsylvania built a home here. Other early families included the Ewing brothers, Charles and Robert. Some people believe they named the Peaks after their family name, Ewing, as it sounds in Scottish Gaelic. Another idea is that the name "Otter" comes from the Cherokee word "Otari," which means "high places." It could also be named after the Otter River, which starts nearby and likely got its name from otters living downstream.
In 1834, a woman named Polly Wood opened the first local inn. It was a simple log cabin where travelers could stay the night and get a warm meal. By the 1870s, the Peaks of Otter area had grown. Benjamin Wilkes opened the well-known Mons Hotel. The community included over 20 families, a school, a church, and the hotel. One of these families was the Johnson family, who lived on their farm for three generations until the 1930s. Their farm is now a preserved historic site.
In the early 1900s, the Peaks of Otter became a popular place for tourists. The National Park Service noticed its beauty. Abbott Lake, the lake at the base of the peaks, was created by people in 1964. The official Peaks of Otter Lodge was also built then, and it's still there today.
Fun Activities at Peaks of Otter
The main thing to do at the Peaks of Otter is hiking. There are three main peaks to explore:
- Flat Top: This is the tallest peak.
- Sharp Top: This peak is the most famous because it offers amazing 360-degree views from the top.
- Harkening Hill: This is the smallest of the three peaks.
There's also a cool rock formation called Buzzard's Roost near Sharp Top, which also has great views. If you can't hike the 1.5-mile trail up Sharp Top, there's a shuttle that takes people close to the top. From there, it's just a 15-minute walk.
In total, there are over 12 miles of hiking trails across the three peaks. You'll find extra attractions along the way. There's a flat, one-mile paved path around Abbott Lake. You can also hike a 1.6-mile loop trail to a waterfall about 2 miles north on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
The Johnson Farm is a restored historic site located along one of the trails towards Harkening Hill. The old house and other buildings look just like they did in the 1930s. You can also see gardens and a small orchard. You can take free tours of the farmhouse from June to September. The National Park Service also offers different Ranger programs from June to October. There's also a small visitor center run by the National Park Service.
If you want to stay overnight, you can find lodging at the Peaks of Otter Lodge or the Peaks of Otter campground. There's also a large picnic area with outdoor grills for cooking.
From the top of the peaks, you can see the nearby town of Bedford. On the far side of Sharp Top, you can find the site where a B-25 bomber plane crashed during a training exercise in World War II. The plane wreckage was never removed because it was too heavy and the mountain side was too steep. There's a small memorial rock at the site, and parts of the plane can still be seen. A larger D-Day Memorial is located in Bedford. You can also visit orchards and vineyards owned by descendants of the Johnson and Gross families, who have lived in the area since the late 1800s.
Images for kids
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View of Sharp Top and the surrounding area from Buzzards Roost
