otter creek dam blue ridge parkway

At the visitor center, the James River Canal Trail will take you to the restored James River and Kanawha Canal Lock that was built between 1845-51. Finally, in 1958, the Oter Creek improvements (Mission 66 and the Revival of Otter Creek) were approved. Mile 1.7 – Reach the Lower Otter Creek Overlook parking area, passing over 2 very sturdy bridges. It does not take into account that you have to walk nearly a quarter mile along the Blue Ridge Parkway to get back to your car, making the overall length of the hike 1 mile. Watch Queue Queue Since the opening of the Blue Ridge Parkway in the 1930's, the improvements were slowed due worldwide conflicts. Located on the Blue Ridge Parkway, this camp has about 45 sites for trailers and motor homes - pull-throughs and back-ins. In 1960 a gas station and other amenities (this dam… All Rights reserved.Designed by www.orange-themes.com, Otter Creek and James River Hiking Trails. Follow the sign to the parking lot, which it claims is only 300 feet away. The trail can also be accessed from overlooks at MP 61.4, 62.5 and 63.1. Time: 45 minutes A large parking area borders the lake, and a smaller parking lot is located to the right of the lake near the dam. When crossing the creek you can get a good view of the dam from below. Heavy logging had taken place within the Blue Ridge Mountains at the time construction on the Parkway began in 1935. A dam of Otter Creek Overlook near mile 38 of Blue Ridge Parkway. There is also a trail that circles the lake, the Otter Lake Loop Trail. First creek crossing on the Otter Lake Loop Trail. Shortly after reaching the bottom, the trail crosses a small creek via a footbridge. Get the Parkway Travel Planner (PDF or Print), ©2021 Blue Ridge Parkway Association, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Stop by the James River Visitor Center, MP 63.8, Go fishing from the pier on Otter Lake, which is ADA-accessible, Parkway recorded information line: 828-298-0398. Directions to the trailhead: From Lynchburg, take US 29 north to SR 130 and turn left on SR 130. Ridge Region | Bedford Area. The trail departs from the right side of the parking area. With a menu featuring fresh and local ingredients and regional specialties, the restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily in season. Photo about Otter lake on the Blue Ridge Parkway with dam and water fall. There are two creeks that flow into Otter Lake, with one being Otter Creek. If you parked by the dam, you have another tenth of a mile beyond that. Operating dates for the lodge and restaurant can be found here. Shortly after passing the cabin is another intersection with the Otter Creek Trail. BRPA is the official marketing partner of the Blue Ridge Parkway – NPS. The Otter Lake Loop Trail is for those who want to get some exercise, not for those who simply want to get a nice photo of Otter Lake. Instead, you must keep walking on whatever rocks you can find to make it a little farther up the creek in the direction of the dam until you get to a stone staircase. Watch Queue Queue. At one of the many overlooks of the twisting Blue Ridge Parkway. Otter Creek camp is at the lowest point on the Blue Ridge Parkway at mile post 61. The direct and official information for Otter Creek Campground - Blue Ridge Parkway National Park in Monroe, Virginia. Otter Lake is a 7-acre impoundment located along the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway in Amherst County. James River is the Parkway’s lowest elevation (650 feet above sea level) and a historic transportation route through the mountains, represents a major geological (water gap) and cultural component of the Blue Ridge section of Virginia. Otter Creek Campground is one of eight campgrounds on the Blue Ridge Parkway that is operated by the National Park Service. Walk around to the right and you will soon see some concrete stepping stones on which you can walk across the creek. Located at Milepost 86 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Peaks of Otter Lodge is found in a naturally serene location with the pristine Abbott Lake and majestic Sharp Top Mountain as the backdrop. Concessioners at Peaks of Otter Sharp Top Store, Price Lake Boat Rental, and Pisgah Inn Country Store sell heat-treated firewood during their operating season (typically May-November). Stay at the only hotel on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia. A bridge spans the wet area, but if it has been raining, it might not be long enough. Cross Otter Creek below the dam to start the hike. Somebody had torn down a fishing regulation sign and used it to extend the bridge to the land. There’s nothing left but a pile of stones. This area's abundant water and warmer temperatures support plant and animal communities that are unlike those found at other areas on the Parkway. Otter Creek Restaurant & Gift Shop at Milepost 60 on the Blue Ridge Parkway is closed and unlikely to reopen next year. This shot was taken using a Nikon D5600. The trail can also be accessed from the next three overlooks to the south at MP 61.4, 62.5 and … Old cabin ruins on the Otter Lake Loop Trail. It then follows the shore for a short distance, and this is the only time you will be near the lake until you get back to the Blue Ridge Parkway at the end of the hike. Here you will find an information panel with a trail map. The Blue Ridge Parkway Guides lists the official length of the Otter Lake Loop Trail as .8 mile, while the trail sign states .9 mile. When done, return back to the overlook sign and continue hiking straight on the trail. Peaks of Otter's Lake View Restaurant is a renowned dining destination on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It is a popular tourist attraction on the Blue Ridge Parkway, for both the lake and dam are quite scenic. Welcome to Otter Creek State Park. View: ♦ ♦ ♦ / 5 If you took a good look at the map posted at the start of the Otter Lake Loop Trail, you may have noticed that it marks the location of an “Old Cabin Ruins.” Just a few minutes after crossing the creek is the cabin site. Area hikes include: Trail of Trees, Otter Creek, Otter Lake Loop and James River Canal Trails. The trail traverses level terrain for a short distance before heading back down the mountain, and the hike down is as steep as the hike up. Located at Milepost 86 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Peaks of Otter Lodge is found in a naturally serene location with the pristine Abbott Lake and majestic Sharp Top Mountain as the backdrop. Interactive Map includes Blue Ridge Parkway Access Points, lodging, dining, attractions, and what to do along the Parkway. Be sure to get the latest schedule on the official Operating Hours and Seasons web page for the Blue Ridge Parkway. The National Park Service protects over one hundred miles of streams, many of them small, spring-fed watercourses that rise along the spine of the Blue Ridge. If you plan to hike the trail, park at the smaller parking lot located at the right side of the lake near the dam. Don’t make the mistake I made and try to hike up it because 1) it’s nearly impossible to climb without spikes attached to your boots, and 2) it’s not the Otter Lake Loop Trail. As soon as you get across Otter Creek you will see a trail that goes straight up a muddy hill. Access three ATV trails, including the Paiute Trail System, directly from the park. Today (2013), this space is used as a scenic overlook along the Parkway and still has picnic tables available. Otter Creek, Blue Ridge Parkway, VA After leaving Sherando Lake I drove south on the Blue Ridge Parkway to my next campground, Otter Creek. Many of the campsites are along the banks of Otter Creek. It might be among your preferred drives in the nation. An accessible fishing pier on Otter Lake provides opportunities for visitors with impaired mobility to fish for warm water species. Image of landscape, creek, horizontal - 195434918 You can go right on the Otter Creek Trail, an easy trail that runs 3.5 miles from the Otter Creek Campground to the James River Visitor Center, or left to begin the Otter Lake Loop Trail. The park is quiet and has many shady sites. While the trail loops around the lake, you’ll rarely get a glimpse of the water. About halfway around the loop is the overlook, and while you can see Otter Lake, the view is partially blocked and you can’t get a decent photo. Once at the top, be on the lookout for a sign that directs you to the overlook, which is located on a short spur trail that branches off from the main loop. This video is unavailable. However, 85 years later, the forest has reclaimed the land, and many of the scenic views are now obscured by vegetation. Otter Creek Dam, Blue Ridge Parkway, Shenandoah Valley, Virginia, Autumn, October 2018 Living in the South is a nature photographers dream. Just a few minutes past the swamp is the bridge over Otter Creek, and just beyond the creek is the Blue Ridge Parkway. www.asergeev.com/pictures/archives/compress/2007/585/19.htm This quiet getaway is a great destination for ATV riders, boaters, and birders. Otter Creek Campground, Virginia - Camping & Campgrounds As Otter Creek descends to the James River, the Blue Ridge Parkway dips to its lowest elevation, only 649 feet above sea level. This area provides visitors with a restaurant and gift shop, visitor information, hiking trails, campground, campfire talks and restrooms. Recreational opportunities here include hiking, camping, picnicking and fishing. Otter Creek and James River Trails As Otter Creek descends to the James River, the Blue Ridge Parkway dips to its lowest elevation, roughly 650 feet above sea level. Length: 1-mile loop In addition, the Parkway’s involvement on the Pinnacles of Dan hydro-electric project offers interesting lessons into the history of environmental conservation and reflects debates that are still on-going about whether wilderness and civilization can exist side by side. To start the hike, take the walkway at the left side of the trail map sign to a set of stairs that takes you below the dam. Peaks of Otter Campground, Blue Ridge Parkway in Bedford, Virginia: 18 reviews, 8 photos, & 4 tips from fellow RVers. The Blue Ridge Parkway Guide is a privately owned website authored by Joe Veler and Sarah Cooke, who began work on the site after discovering their shared love of the Parkway. Otter Lake is a man-made lake formed by damming Otter Creek. https://npplan.com/.../blue-ridge-parkway-otter-lake-mp-63-1 https://www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/peaks-of-otter-mp-85-6.htm You will, however, begin hiking farther and farther from the lake, so you won’t see it again until you get back to the parking lot. You will also see a trail sign at this point. Anglers are prohibited from using live bait or boats. I stopped at a couple of overlooks to take a short hiking trail. Blue Ridge Parkway: OTTER LAKE - JAMES RIVER AREA - See 6,915 traveler reviews, 3,761 candid photos, and great deals for North Carolina Mountains, NC, at Tripadvisor. The bridge over a wetland comes up short during high water periods. Shot during the fall. It’s located near Lynchburg, Virginia, by the James River.Since the Parkway is numbered from north to south, you’ll find Otter Creek on milepost 60.8. Saved by Joy Walker Joy Walker Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 60 – 63.8: James River Visitor Center and Otter Creek Campground Recreational opportunities here include hiking, camping, picnicking and fishing. This is typical of many overlooks and trails along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Multiple improvement plans were made for Otter Creek, but everytime the plans were presented, funding was delayed. The Pinnacles area is still a popular recreational spot today despite the lack of the Parkway. While bad for ecology, it was great for scenic views. Find Otter Creek Dam On Blue Ridge stock images in HD and millions of other royalty-free stock photos, illustrations and vectors in the Shutterstock collection. During my October 2020 hike there was no problem, but back 2015 when I did the hike, the bridge came up short. Please review our COVID-19 Updates that impact your visit.. If the trail wasn’t but a mile long, heading back to the parking lot wouldn’t be a bad idea, but stick it out, for you are pretty much done with the uphill climbs. In addition, the Parkway’s involvement on the Pinnacles of Dan hydro-electric project offers interesting lessons into the history of environmental conservation and reflects debates that are still on-going about whether wilderness and civilization can exist side by side. Peter Hamel photo Fishing Parkway Waters. Peak's lakeside lodging in Bedford, VA is the ideal place for a stress-free getaway. The 57-seat restaurant and gift shop did not reopen … For a really easy jaunt, head to the James River Visitor Center at Mile 63.6 and take the 0.2-mile James River Trail to the restored James River and Kanawha Canal lock, built between 1845–51. As Otter Creek descends to the James River, the Blue Ridge Parkway … Mile 2.9 – This next section takes you the farthest away from the creek but eventually you will see the creek and will cross it again just before going through 2 tunnels that go under Route 130 and the Blue Ridge Parkway. As with the Terrapin Hill View pullout just to the north, the Lower Otter Creek Overlook allows access to the Otter Creek Trail, which runs 3.5 miles one way from the Otter Creek Not to worry, for the walk to the overlook is done via a short loop, so whichever way you go, you will end up back where you are now. However, this only counts the actual earthen trail. Please review our COVID-19 Updates that impact your visit.. A journey on the Blue Ridge Parkway offers spectacular views of Southern Appalachia’s diverse beauty for 469 uninterrupted miles. Buena Vista, Virginia, May 17, 2007 Turning right takes you back the way you came. During this period, all correspondence points towards the Pine Spur project moving forward. All downloads are … The hike starts off with a steep, but short, incline, The Otter Lake Loop Trail follows the shoreline for a short distance, View of Otter Lake from the western shore. Papers on Pine Spur held in the Blue Ridge Parkway Archives in Asheville, North Carolina begin in 1934 and end in 1960. Photo about Otter Lake Dam located in Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, USA. Digital downloads are for personal use only. Operating dates for the lodge and restaurant can be found here. Difficulty: Easy to Moderate with a few short strenuous climbs. Trails: Otter Lake Loop Trail, Otter Creek Trail Blue Ridge Parkway Interactive Map. It is typically open from May until the end of October, though the official opening and closing dates change each year. This includes the Official website, phone number, location map, reviews and … A pedestrian walkway connects the James River Visitor Center with restored Battery Creek Lock from the Kanawha Canal. This area’s abundant water and warmer temperatures support plant and animal communities that are unlike those found at other areas on the Parkway. It is a part of the Virtual Blue Ridge Network, which aims to share the Parkway experience with long-distance viewers and to enhance it for visitors and residents. The only facilities available at this lake are a handicap access fishing pier and parking. An accessible fishing pier on Otter Lake provides opportunities for visitors with impaired mobility to fish for warm water species. https://www.blueridgeparkway.org/poi/james-river-otter-creek The Parkway’s Otter Creek area provides a campground with 45 tent and 24 trailer sites, restrooms, water, and a campfire circle. Thus, if a photo of the lake is all you want, snap one from the parking lot because that is the best view you are going to get. I don’t think this is Otter Creek, which is much wider and crossed at the end of the hike. Thousands of new, high-quality pictures added every day. About the Campground: Otter Creek Campground is the northernmost of the parkway’s campgrounds. Heat-treated wood is available from a growing list of private businesses in communities around the Parkway. Final walk back to your car along the Blue Ridge Parkway, Next Stop South | Next Stop North | Otter Creek and James River Hiking Trails | Scenic Overlooks, © 2020 Copyright Steven L. Markos. Otter Creek Bridge, Blue Ridge Parkway Otter Creek Bridge, Blue Ridge Parkway is a bridge in Virginia.Otter Creek Bridge, Blue Ridge Parkway is situated nearby to Proposed USFS Land Transfer 2, close to Terrapin Creek. https://www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/otter-creek-james-river-trails.htm The Otter Lake Dam on Blue Ridge Parkway. Abbott Lake at Peaks of Otter. The Otter Creek Recreation Area is less than 1 mile ahead on the right. The hike starts off with a strenuous, 5-minute walk uphill on a trail filled with rocks and roots before making its way back down to the lake shore. A mountaintop park may seem an unlikely place to fish, but just the opposite is true. The Otter Creek and James River Recreational Area is a beautiful environment with an abundance of trees and the gentle sounds of Otter Creek as it winds on its trip to the James River. Peaks of Otter Campground, Blue Ridge Parkway in Bedford is rated 5.7 of 10 at Campground Reviews. Otter Creek Trail begins at a local campsite and runs for a moderately strenuous 3½ miles; you can access it at different points from overlooks at Mile 61.4, Mile 62.5 and Mile 63.1. Blue Ridge Parkway. More Parkway … Otter Creek Restaurant & Gift Shop at Milepost 60 on the Blue Ridge Parkway is closed and unlikely to reopen next year. The Otter Lake Loop Trail is one of the victims. Notice that the trail rarely skirts the shoreline, and most of the time it’s not even close to the lake. Blue-misted mountains, cascading waterfalls, rolling pasture, and gorges banked with wildflowers greet hikers of all skill levels among the more than 100 varied and intriguing trails in North Carolina and Virginia. Explore the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains, unwind by Abbott Lake, and enjoy the beauty of the Peaks. Blue Ridge Parkway National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Otter Creek Campground Welcome to the Blue Ridge Parkway, one of the most scenic drives in America.
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