Camp Ottari
Private
Camp Ottari is a Boy Scouts of America base camp at the Blue Ridge Scout Reservation in Hiwassee (Pulaski County), Virginia, on rugged mountain terrain beside a large lake. Opened in 1962 for traditional Scout summer camp, it no longer runs residential summer camp and today hosts the Blue Ridge Mountaineer provisional program (an 18th-century frontier-life experience) and Wood Badge adult leader training.
The practical details
We list only what the camp itself publishes, and programs change — dates, prices, ages and availability can all move after we check. Confirm the details on the camp’s own website and contact Camp Ottari directly before you register or pay. Last checked August 2026.
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Google Reviews
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★RJNot worth the $$. Better programs here in Ohio. Ottari is a tired camp. Unsanitary latrines and shower houses, eroded equipment (when there is equipment) and facilities. All the Council money goes to Claytor Lake. Mountain Man program beyond tired. The week we went this year, there were 80 registrants with food only for 40. Our registered leaders had to show paid Council leaders what to do. Thank goodness I brought rope from our Scout inventory for the Brownsea Island program. Had a call with council regarding our grievances - no follow up. Don’t be deceived - not a good program for those traveling from outside their council.
★★★★★Dana BelcherLove my BSA family the camp fire was awesome as always
★★Mik SWhile overall we had a good time here., the quality really lacks in many of the different programs. The camp food had to been the worst I've had at a camp. On several days they ran out of food on many items. (example I got 3 green beans one day) Many of our tents had holes in them and were terribly put up. They just aren't the "model camp" for BSA that they claim to be. Just seems like the quality of the staff & program was down overall. In talking to other leaders from other troops, I'm not the only one that felt this way. Overall the consensus of our troop leaders were, we were not coming back due to this experience.
★★★David GleasonOne meal at Mountain man program included beef jerky that had a sell by date two years ago. Really?? For the cost of this camp. You need to ask yourself what is the scout wanting to achieve? Only five rotations, my scouts commented on having too much free time during the day.
★★★Matt ThorntonMy experience in the first week of camp was both good and bad. Good: For MOST (with the exception of Friday) of the week, the food was good. Large variety of merit badges, including some (like Small Boat Sailing) that are rarely offered at other camps. Most merit badge facilities were very nice and the counselors were helpful. The trading post/snack bar were great. Bad: Bath house was disgusting, many showers and some bathrooms were covered with dirty water and on THE FIRST DAY of THE FIRST WEEK we found a piece of poop in the shower. The camp has many hills, so be prepared to walk A LOT. IN THE END, would prefer Camp Powhatan, but is still a pretty good camp (3.5/5)😀