Otter Falls

Height: 20 feet
Trail Type: Dirt and rock
Hike Distance: 1.2 miles round trip
Difficulty: 7
Beauty: 6

Overview:

Otter Falls is a relatively newly accessible falls in the resort community of Seven Devils. Several donors came together to build out a nice set of trails down to the falls, which make a short free fall into a small pool.

Directions:

From the intersection of NC 105 and US 321 in Boone, drive south on NC 105 for 9.8 miles. Turn right at the gas station onto Seven Devils Road and drive up the mountain for 1.3 miles. The road makes a hard left and becomes Skyland Drive. A small parking area for the falls is 0.7 miles on the left.

Hike Description:

If you looked at the trail map on the board in the parking area, you might think you were about to go on a hike that was several miles long. You’re not, it’s just a really detailed map. The trail does drop over 200 feet in elevation, which is what makes it difficult. 

The trail snakes its way down the ridge before coming to a split at a park bench. Going left takes you down to the creek where you can walk upstream to the base. Going right takes you across some sketchy looking wooden bridges (but they’re safe) to a nice wooden viewing deck where you can safely scramble to the base.