Until just recently Arkansas was not a state I had explored much. I flew into Fayetteville when I was a flight attendant, but I never got to know anything about the state except that it is the birthplace of Walmart.
Inside the office, telling the history of Devil’s Den State Park
We were driving through Arkansas last summer on our long trek out west. I made some reservations at this state park. It isn’t right on the main road, but looked like it might be an okay spot to stay the night. Luckily, we got there early enough in the day we could immediately explore one of their many trails. We LOVE hiking and backpacking. This state park has plenty of hiking and biking trails. (Check out the reel of our hike at the end of this post.)
We set up at the campground, grabbed a hiking bag, and hit the trails. But before I get to the trails, let me give you some history on the park…
“Some old-fashioned things like fresh air and sunshine are hard to beat.” –Laura Ingalls Wilder
The CCC buildings were all over the park.
I love the CCC parks.(Cheaha State Park in Alabama is one of my favorites.) I love that young men came out so many years ago and built so many incredible state parks. I love that so many of the state parks are still standing and still showing off the fine craftsmanship from the 1930s. If my math is mathing, that means these parks aren’t too far from blowing out 100 candles on their birthday cakes!!!
Devil’s Den was started in 1933, and I have to applaud whoever was able to snag this gem!! The park is over 2,500 acres and has some pretty impressive areas to it.
Surrounded by the lush Ozark National Forest you can find the amazing Devil’s Den State Park. Located in the Northeastern corner of the state you can find it south of Fayetteville, not too far from I-49.
- “Adopt the pace of nature. Her secret is patience.” –Ralph Waldo Emerson
Accommodations at Devil’s Den State Park
We have seen the same statue at Tishomingo State Park in MS, another CCC created park.
There is a campground at Devil’s Den with 135 campsites: 44 full hookup sites, 24 no hookup sites, and 8 hike-in sites. We stayed at the campground with full hookups. There was no cell service down there (Verizon), but near the bathhouse was a payphone. So at least you can call for help if you have an emergency. The campground was nice and shady. Our site was rather short, but we did see plenty of rigs there that were larger than us. I do remember it not being an especially level site we were on, but with our levelers, we were good to go.
Seventeen of the cabins have kitchens and fireplaces. There are 6 camper cabins (a more rustic, but still air-conditioned/heated building).
There is also a horse camp with 42 sites.
Since we were staying at the campground, I can’t tell you much about the cabins. I will say, the outside of them looked well-kept. If any of the common areas we explored are any indication, the cabins are probably in pretty good shape. I was able to read a couple of reviews and it sounded like they are clean and have wi-fi.
You can make all your Devil’s Den State Park reservations here.
VRBO Properties near Devil’s Den State Park
- “We don’t inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.” –Chief Seattle
Things to do in Devil’s Den State Park
Posing at the trailhead for Yellow Rock. It was a great trail, highly recommend.
Devil’s Den State Park is a fantastic destination for mountain bikers who are looking to explore the Monument Trail System. I was able to find some photos of their biking trails, and while they looked incredible and are award winning trails… I know I can’t hang on those!! Getting broken bones on a bike trail is not on my list of things to do, so I’ll stick with hiking.
Hiking… there are so many amazing trails at this park. We were able to get out and explore a few of them and enjoy some of the cool rock formations. All Trails shows 11 trails there in the park. We were able to check out all of YellowRock and parts of others. Yellow Rock is listed as 2.7 miles and a moderate trail. If you can possible tackle this trail, DO IT!!!!
The pool is only open during the summer, we were there when they were just getting it ready to open.
The CCC made the Lee Creek rock dam all those years ago making an eight-acre lake for canoes, pedal boats (rent them right there in the park), and for fishing. The waterfall is such a beautiful one to watch, but as refreshing as it all looks…. no swimming is allowed there. After seeing as many snakes swimming in that water it’s so easy to see why. You won’t ever see me lining up to go for a swim with a danger noodle, especially after our last encounter with a nope rope.
There is a pool open in the summer. It is a big one and my kids were bummed it wasn’t open yet when we were passing through.
- “Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you.” –Frank Lloyd Wright
Things to know about Devil’s Den State Park
The park office has some fantastic information about the building of their park and about the cave systems and bats that call this area home. The caves at Devil’s Den are now closed to the public to protect the bats from an illness that can be transmitted by humans.
On the Yellow Rock Trail
We enjoyed the Yellow Rock Trail and getting out the the overlook was worth all the hiking. I highly recommend you give yourself plenty of time to get out there and back… I would have loved to be able to spend more time at the overlook, so pack a lunch when you go. Make a day of it. But allow plenty of time to get out The trail is plenty easy to see in in the daytime, but I wouldn’t want to come down from there in the dark.
The CCC built this dam and made this beautiful waterfall.
We came in from I-49 on AR 74 and the road had some serious sharp turns. If your set-up has trouble with sharp turns, you should take a different route. When we left we opted to go out to the south on Lee Creek Road. It was a much easier ride and such beautiful scenery. Again… we had no cell service so I recommend getting your route in and out saved before you get to the park so you aren’t stuck wondering which way to go.
Leaving the park the next morning was a beautiful drive.
I found online that Devil’s Den was able to undergo some renovations not too many years ago, and it remains the most intact CCC park there is. I am so happy to see the park putting money into protecting these parts of history that we could never get back. Arkansas has a very small conservations sales tax that is put toward it’s state parks, and it is beautiful to see what can happen when a state is willing to invest in itself. I wish more states were able to implement the same and protect their parks in the same manner.
Other state parks we have visited:
Cloudland Canyon State Park, GA
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What is the best state park you have visited?
Devil’s Den State Park is located in west Arkansas, south of Fayetteville. It is a beautiful park with camping, hiking, award-winning mountain biking trails, and even rock climbing. It is such a beautiful park that all nature lovers will enjoy!
