Devil's Den State Park is nestled in a picturesque valley in northwest Arkansas's Ozarks Mountains, ancient sedimentary mountains renowned for their scenic natural beauty and lush hardwood forest. Selected as a park site in the 1930s, Lee Creek Valley provided the native wood and stone that the Civilian Conservation Corps used to craft the park's CCC Rustic-style buildings and other structures. The mountain stream forms a peaceful 8-acre lake in the heart of the park, perfect for fishing and canoeing, before cascading over a rugged native stone dam that stretches across the creek. Hiking and backpacking trails access backcountry areas of Devil's Den State Park and the surrounding Ozark National Forest whose beauty is enhanced by the seasonal changes of Arkansas's four seasons.
Sixteen fully-equipped cabins featuring kitchens and fireplaces (these fireplaces are available for use from mid-September thru mid-May) are nestled in the natural beauty of this park. A park cafe and swimming pool (both open in summer only) overlook the lake. Groceries, gifts and snacks are available at the park store. Campsites [144 sites: 44 Premium A, 12 Standard B, 13 Standard C, 24 Standard D (no hookups), 8 Hike-in (tent only) and 43 sites with water and electricity in the Horse Camp] are spaced along the valley. A horse camp area and riding trails are also available. The park includes a group camp, standard pavilion and mountain bike trails.
Miles of hiking and multiple use trails wind through Devil's Den and the surrounding Ozark National Forest. Take a wet-water hike down Lee Creek, or trek the 15-mile Butterfield Hiking Trail. This well-maintained trail from the park through the Ozark National Forest leads backpackers deep into the hills and hollows of the rugged scenie Ozarks. Backpackers can choose from two primitive camp areas. This is a hilly hike past bluffs and boulders in one of the largest crevice areas in North America. Hikers are required to obtain a free backcountry permit at the visitor center before venturing onto this trail.
Many outdoor enthusiasts visit Devil's Den State Park with the express purpose of exploring one or more of its many caves and crevices. Most of the park's caves are crevices associated with a unique sandstone crevice area. The longest of these is Devil's Den Cave (550 feet). You can visit on your own (flashlights required), or participate in a strenuous guided cave exploration hike offered once a week during the summer. Others may wish to explore Farmer's Cave, a relatively small, gated limestone cave located at the west end of the park. Parties interested in exploring this cave must meet set guidelines in order to obtain a free first-come, first-served permit at the visitor center. The presence of both sandstone and limestone caves at one park is quite rare and makes for a unique caving opportunity at Devil's Den State Park.
