Otter Falls: Hiking in Boone NC

By Boone, Local Information, Local Parks, Seven Devils July 21, 2020
Dogs sitting on a rock at a waterfall on Otter Trail in Seven Devils, NC.

If you are looking for a super accessible and beautiful hike close to Boone, Otter Falls is a great option! The trails are easily accessible, gorgeous and family friendly. If you are coming from Boone, you will take Highway 105 South, towards Banner Elk. At about the ten mile point, you will make a right turn onto Seven Devils Road (there is a gas station on the corner) and take this road for about two miles before turning left on to Skyland Drive. After a little over half a mile, you will see the sign for Otter Falls on your left.

It is a great destination if you are hoping to get outside but have time constraints or just are not up for a serious hike. At the trail head, you will see a map that outlines the four trails within the Otter Falls Trails system. There are two loops and two dead end trails. The route to see the spectacular falls is 0.6 miles, so if you complete the loop you are looking at 1.2 miles. It is downhill the entire way down to the falls, but you pass various benches and overlooks that allow for a breather if this is tough on the knees!

Once you have made it down to the bottom, you will see an observation deck that provides a great view of the falls, and stairs down from the deck that will take you to the Valley Creek. You will pass native plants including, rhododendron, wild flowers, huge black locust trees, nettles, and mossy boulders throughout. The Otter Falls Trails are part of a ten acre tract that was funded by the Conservation Fund, North Carolina’s Parks and Recreations Trust Fund, the town of Seven Devils, and over 100 individuals and entities. Pretty cool! The trails are considered moderately strenuous due to the steepness, but they are all graded and smooth. Dogs are welcome on leashes. Make sure to pack out whatever you bring it and practice Leave No Trace habits!

Trail head address is 870 Skyland Drive, Seven Devils, NC 28604. You can prepare for your hike even more with these resources from the Seven Devils website. If you’re looking for even more places to hike in the High Country of North Carolina, let us be your guide! We have comprehensive articles to help you prepare for hikes at Lower Pond Creek, Crab Orchard Falls, and other locations that offer some of the best views in the South East.

Waterfall over mossy rocks at Otter Falls Trail in Seven Devils, NC.

About the Author
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Sarah Long, NC Broker/Owner/REALTOR® • 828-773-2413 • [email protected]

I am a native of Knoxville, Tennessee, but I have been in North Carolina since1997 when I moved to Boone to attend Appalachian State University. I earned my degree in Theatre Education and Communications. While at ASU I met my husband, Matt Long, a Boone native and general contractor, and gained a heart for these mountains and my beloved ASU Mountaineers. After graduation, I spent 5 years teaching in Charlotte before being given the opportunity to move back to the High Country. In 2007 I earned my NC Real Estate License and began in full-time brokerage. In 2010 I helped to open a franchise brokerage in the High Country. I gained impactful knowledge and built important relationships during my 8 years there, but began to feel the calling to get back to my roots.

In June of 2018, my dream became a reality when I opened 828 Real Estate. We are a boutique brokerage that is locally focused, community-minded and client-driven. I feel so fortunate to be in a career that I love, have opportunities to serve wonderful clients, and get to work with the best team here at 828 Real Estate.

I am a member of The High Country Association of Realtors, the North Carolina Association of Realtors, the National Association of Realtors. I am a member the Boone Chamber of Commerce and I am on the board for the Downtown Boone Development Association. I have also completed the Realtor  e-Pro certification that specifically focuses on the technology tools needed in the purchase or sale of a property. Additionally, I have earned my CLHMS Designation. (Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist) and a qualified LuxuryHomes.com Affiliate. Over the years I have been awarded various Top Producer Awards. I am honored each year to be invited to the Top 50 Brokers in the High Country celebration.

My husband and I reside in downtown Boone and have 2 beautiful children, Sadie Rose and Levi. We attend Alliance Bible Fellowship and stay connected by serving the community and supporting local non-profits like Western Youth Network, The Appalachian Theatre and Valle Crucis Community Park. We love to spend time outside hiking, playing on the river, running with their dog, Emmie Lou, hitting the slopes and making the most of our time in this amazing place we get to call home!