Home › North Carolina › Seven Devils › Otter Falls Trail
Otter Falls Trail
4.7 ★★★★★ 956 Google reviews · Running trail in Seven Devils, North Carolina · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Natural surface
- Loop distance
- 1 mi
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Otter Falls Trail's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Pretty falls accessible via a trail-linked park, for dog walking and picnics.
What runners say about Otter Falls Trail
“A gorgeous little area to explore and relax 😌 be aware it turns into posted private property as you go further down the mountain/trails!”
“This trail is pretty well marked with good signs at the entrance, a map at the lot, and frequent tree markers.”
“I would highly recommend for an easy hike and beautiful view.”
Loved this little trail! Easy hike on the way down, slightly moderate on the way back. The waterfall was beautiful! Great for dogs! There are lots of big rocks and tree roots to navigate around, but our little Boston Terrier owned it!🐶
It snowed, I had to go. The road to it will instruct you to put chains on your tires when the sign is flashing, fines enforced. Use common sense. Roads were in very good condition after this recent snow. We were the only people there and it was gorgeous! Hands down amazing fun.
This trail is pretty well marked with good signs at the entrance, a map at the lot, and frequent tree markers. There are a few loops here. I went around all of them and it didn't take more than an hour. The path is a cleared dirt walkway with some roots and a section by the river with rocks.
I'm not sure why it's rated moderately strenuous. This was a very easy and smooth trail, not rocky or too steep. There are three loop trails that connect that you can take to reach Otter falls (Red, Blue & Orange) take a pic of map to pic the route you prefer then they have the trail marked with those colored arrows,…
Trail conditions & character
“A gorgeous little area to explore and relax 😌 be aware it turns into posted private property as you go further down the mountain/trails!”
“Definitely make sure you've got a proper vehicle if going to visit there during snow/ice, that hill going down will make trouble if you are not prepared.”
“All down hill from the parking lot and it's steep in places.”
“Just be careful, some of the rocks are slick when wet, and there are a few big tree roots on the trail.”
“The trail is pretty well maintained though the markers were very confusing and missing at several intersections causing me to give 4 instead of 5 stars.”
“The main falls can be found in the orange loop which was also my favorite portion.”
Plan your run at Otter Falls Trail
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
- Loop distance1 mi back to where you parked
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websitesevendevilsnc.gov
Hours
| Monday | 7:30 am–7:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 7:30 am–7:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 7:30 am–7:30 pm |
| Thursday | 7:30 am–7:30 pm |
| Friday | 7:30 am–7:30 pm |
| Saturday | 7:30 am–7:30 pm |
| Sunday | 7:30 am–7:30 pm |
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Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
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