Otter Creek School Farm Guidebook
Outdoor Adventure Guides
Our friends at Endless will take you on a guided raft trip of the rivers in our area, teach you about kayaking, rent equipment to use on the rivers, or take you fly fishing. They also have a great gear and outdoor clothing shop!
15 locals recommend
Endless River Adventures
14157 W Hwy 19Our friends at Endless will take you on a guided raft trip of the rivers in our area, teach you about kayaking, rent equipment to use on the rivers, or take you fly fishing. They also have a great gear and outdoor clothing shop!
Tuckaseegee Outfitters
4909 US-74Recommend for tubing.
For tubing. I have heard that the water's a little fast and it's rocky - just so you're aware.
60 locals recommend
Deep Creek Tube Center & Campground
1040 W Deep Creek RdFor tubing. I have heard that the water's a little fast and it's rocky - just so you're aware.
Rafting for families with smaller kids. https://www.northcarolinarafting.com
36 locals recommend
Dillsboro River Company
18 Macktown RdRafting for families with smaller kids. https://www.northcarolinarafting.com
Smokemont Riding Stables Barn
135 Smokemont Riding Stables RdHorseshoe Creek Riding Stables
1386 Stewart RdGreat horseback riding nearby in Andrews.
Nantahala Village Riding Stable
9400 US-19Nice riding nearby.
Tellico Trout Farm
4175 Tellico RdThe trout fishing looks great here.
Alarka Expeditions
51 Cowee School DriveFood scene
You'll enjoy the food, view and people watching at this restaurant.
48 locals recommend
River's End Restaurant
13077 US-19You'll enjoy the food, view and people watching at this restaurant.
Lakes End Cafe & Grill and Marina
17838 Wayah RdNearby restaurant on Lake Nantahala.
Great beer and pizza and our quaint little town nearby. Grab groceries and gas while you're there. Andrews has several cute antique shops too. Trivia as well on certain nights.
56 locals recommend
Hoppy Trout Brewing Company
911 Main StGreat beer and pizza and our quaint little town nearby. Grab groceries and gas while you're there. Andrews has several cute antique shops too. Trivia as well on certain nights.
You will not believe the food in this restaurant attached to a gas station! And the little town of Franklin is oh so cute! It's where I get my horse feed:-)
98 locals recommend
Caffè Rel
459 E Main StYou will not believe the food in this restaurant attached to a gas station! And the little town of Franklin is oh so cute! It's where I get my horse feed:-)
Big Wesser
13077 W Hwy 19Watch the kayakers while you enjoy a meal by the river.
I'd recommend a drive to the lodge and grabbing a meal at their restaurant overlooking the Cheoah River. Stop at Wehrloom Honey on the way! If the Cheoah is running, you'll love watching the kayakers and rafters on this beautiful river. This river is for the very experienced only. Oh... be prepared to watch the sports car enthusiasts and bikers flock to Tail of the Dragon.
35 locals recommend
Historic Tapoco Lodge Resort
14981 Tapoco RdI'd recommend a drive to the lodge and grabbing a meal at their restaurant overlooking the Cheoah River. Stop at Wehrloom Honey on the way! If the Cheoah is running, you'll love watching the kayakers and rafters on this beautiful river. This river is for the very experienced only. Oh... be prepared to watch the sports car enthusiasts and bikers flock to Tail of the Dragon.
While you're here, why not have a trout cook out. This trout farm is just north of our property. Take the kids to fish or call ahead to have fresh trout packaged for you.
Otter Creek Trout Farm
1914 Otter Creek RdWhile you're here, why not have a trout cook out. This trout farm is just north of our property. Take the kids to fish or call ahead to have fresh trout packaged for you.
A nearby place to grab a bite. Bring your own alcoholic beverage if desired.
40 locals recommend
Lakes End Cafe & Grill and Marina
17838 Wayah RdA nearby place to grab a bite. Bring your own alcoholic beverage if desired.
Gracious Plates on Main
So good! And Franklin is a great town to explore.
828 cafe
228 NE Main StGreat for breakfast or lunch.
Shop in the store and enjoy a meal from the food truck and local beer.
57 locals recommend
Bryson City Outdoors
169 Main StShop in the store and enjoy a meal from the food truck and local beer.
Hiking and Sightseeing
Just a two mile drive to the trailhead. You can take the forest service gravel road up to the tower which is a mile up - a tad steep but not bad. Or take the AT trail which is 1.5 miles of switchbacks. View from tower is beautiful.
21 locals recommend
Wesser Bald Fire Tower
Just a two mile drive to the trailhead. You can take the forest service gravel road up to the tower which is a mile up - a tad steep but not bad. Or take the AT trail which is 1.5 miles of switchbacks. View from tower is beautiful.
Take a drive to this fire tower. Just a short walk to the tower and up the steps for the views. It's 30 minutes from our farm to the turn to drive up to the fire tower - 40 minutes total to get to the parking area.
86 locals recommend
Wayah Bald
4419 Wayah Bald RdTake a drive to this fire tower. Just a short walk to the tower and up the steps for the views. It's 30 minutes from our farm to the turn to drive up to the fire tower - 40 minutes total to get to the parking area.
Enjoy the Polar Express and Holiday Lights. Or just take a scenic rail trip.
306 locals recommend
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
18 Fry StEnjoy the Polar Express and Holiday Lights. Or just take a scenic rail trip.
Take a 30 minute drive to the trailhead and enjoy an amazing view on the AT. The hike is about 3 miles up and back. It's a moderate hike.
6 locals recommend
Siler Bald Shelter
Appalachian National Scenic TrailTake a 30 minute drive to the trailhead and enjoy an amazing view on the AT. The hike is about 3 miles up and back. It's a moderate hike.
The trailhead is just 2 miles north of our place on Otter Creek Rd/Telico Rd. It's 1.5 miles up on the AT to Rocky Bald.
Rocky Bald
The trailhead is just 2 miles north of our place on Otter Creek Rd/Telico Rd. It's 1.5 miles up on the AT to Rocky Bald.
Andrews Valley Rail Tours
Ask for specific directions. It’s a pretty easy hike - about 2 hours from the farm. Stop in Sylva or Bryson City after your hike for a bite and beer.
32 locals recommend
High Falls
Ask for specific directions. It’s a pretty easy hike - about 2 hours from the farm. Stop in Sylva or Bryson City after your hike for a bite and beer.
Local Art
Valley River Arts
12 Valley River AveThere are nice little shops and scheduled activities to enjoy. It's on the way to Franklin - so could just be a stop along the way if you plan to sightsee in Franklin.
Cowee School Dr, North Carolina 28734, USA
There are nice little shops and scheduled activities to enjoy. It's on the way to Franklin - so could just be a stop along the way if you plan to sightsee in Franklin.
Gift Shop
Great local honey and mead. Also a great gift shop. Robbinsville is a cool little town as well. It's very near Tail of the Dragon and Tapoco Lodge. I'd recommend a visit to Wehrloom Honey on your way to Tapoco Lodge for a meal.
34 locals recommend
Wehrloom Honey
257 Willie Colvin RdGreat local honey and mead. Also a great gift shop. Robbinsville is a cool little town as well. It's very near Tail of the Dragon and Tapoco Lodge. I'd recommend a visit to Wehrloom Honey on your way to Tapoco Lodge for a meal.
Lakes and swimming holes
Easy place to play and picnic on Fontana Lake. Watch kayakers practice their rolls here and work with their instructors.
Fingerlake Day Use Area
North Carolina 28Easy place to play and picnic on Fontana Lake. Watch kayakers practice their rolls here and work with their instructors.
This quaint little lake is just 10 minutes from Otter Creek School Farm. It has two easy access points to launch paddle boards, canoes and kayaks. And a nice flat area to have a picnic.
Queens Creek Lake
This quaint little lake is just 10 minutes from Otter Creek School Farm. It has two easy access points to launch paddle boards, canoes and kayaks. And a nice flat area to have a picnic.
https://www.visitsmokies.org/smoky-mountain-blueways/nantahala-lake/
45 locals recommend
Nantahala Lake
https://www.visitsmokies.org/smoky-mountain-blueways/nantahala-lake/
Lots of activities on this nearby lake. https://www.visitsmokies.org/smoky-mountain-blueways/fontana-lake/
67 locals recommend
Fontana Lake
Lots of activities on this nearby lake. https://www.visitsmokies.org/smoky-mountain-blueways/fontana-lake/
Sightseeing
Oconaluftee Visitor Center
1194 Newfound Gap RdA variety of activities for all age levels.