Peaks of Otter Visitor Center, Buchanan

There's a great little nature museum in the visitor center, an amphitheater in the back, and a few trails through the land behind. Shopping in the visitor center and the gift shop next door is really nice! You could totally decorate a Christmas tree with just ornaments from the Blue Ridge Parkway. Each area has their own stuff - it's not all the same thing at each place.

We hiked the loop that starts behind the visitor center. It's 4 miles give or take. First half uphill not too strenuous. Second half downhill. All forest with many Rock formations near the peak of the hike. Good exercise.

We were here to get the bus to go to the peak of flat top or sharp top, but could not do so due to the wait time. Buses were small and accommodate only 12 at a time. When it is crowded, you have to wait 1-2 hours as buses run hourly to the peak. You can walk up to the peak as well, but it is treacherous for old people.

Great hikes all around this center. It is closed including rest rooms much of the year which is annoying. There is no cell service in the area. Most days year round there are many hikers stopping here to hike or to gather to hike elsewhere. While Sharp and Flat Top hikes are astounding, the Harkening Hill hike behind the visitor center is one of my favorite winter hikes. Peaceful, plenty of elevation, and when leaves are down great views. Johnson Farm is interesting and near the center.

As long time residents of the area, we have been trying for years to get up to Peaks of Otter to watch the foliage change, and this year we finally did. I've spent a lot of time driving the Blue Ridge Parkway in my life, and even spent a few years living near it. Even so, I'm still awed by the Blue Ridge Mountains every time I see them, and Peaks of Otter was no different. Not only beautiful, but the crisp mountain are and quiet solitude gave us just the recharge we were looking for. I do think that arriving when we did, we may have missed the peak fall foliage time by about a week, but we still saw some breath-taking views and colors! Can't wait to come back in the spring and see the wildflowers bloom.