Devils Den State Park

Well this is a great trip for anyone.  Campers, Hikers, Bikers, Swimmers, Spelunkers, Backpackers, Equestrians....

And just about anyone else you can think of.

Devils Den State Park, is one of the finest parks in the state.  It is located about a half hour North of Fort Smith, near the community of Winslow.  It can be reached from either hiwy 71, or the new hiwy 540.  Cabins are available for rent, as well as campsites with no utilities, camps with electric and water, all the way up to sites that accommodate large travel trailers and recreational vehicles.  There are even walk in only campsites, for those who want to be a little further from the crowd.

Several of the camp areas have indoor showers, and all have indoor restrooms within short walking distance.  Also there are several picnic tables for those who do not want to stay overnight.

Our trip was a short two day stay, before moving on to the Buffalo National River area.  We set up camp in the creekside area, which has no showers, but offers some nice little swimming holes.  During our visit, over the fourth of July weekend, the creek was a little low.  But within a 15 minute walk was a nice sized swimming hole.  We hiked up the Lee Creek trail about a mile, and then walked/waded back to camp in the creek.  Of course with plenty of good food (she is a great cook!), we quickly re-energized for a hike along the Cave trail.  This trail offers a lot of great rock formations, but two really are what the trip is for.  The Devils Ice Box, a deep crack running a couple hundred feet long, and anywhere from 5-25 visible feet deep.  You can walk all the way through this, and the cool breeze makes it obvious why it is called the Ice Box.  Before reaching the Ice Box, is the main event though, The Devils Den.  This is probably the most visited cave in Arkansas, that isn't on a 'pay tour'.  It runs several hundred feet deep, ranges from 3-6 feet wide in areas, down to the point where you have to actually crawl to go any further.  There is no exit to the cave, you have to return the same way you came in.  It was her first visit into the cave, and although we didn't stay down for that long, it was very enjoyable.  Its a great way to beat the hot summer days!  The temperature is always cool, and the air slightly moist.  While we hiked along the 1 1/2 mile cave trail, we were fortunate enough to see one of Arkansas' seldom seen critters.... the Timber Rattler.  Of all my years in the woods, I have seen only 3 Rattlers in the woods.  This one was about 2 years old, judging from the fact it only had two buttons on its rattle.  We took pictures and coaxed it off the main trail to avoid anyone being bitten in the dusky hours close to dark.  As we made the last bend around the creek back to camp, we scared up a whitetail doe.  She hopped into the creek and didn't pay much attention to us, but it added to the overall hike.  There are a lot of trails at Devils Den Park.  Setup for hikers, bikers, and horses.  The 15 mile Butterfield Trail running through the park is a must for the weekend hiker.

So if you want to rent a cabin, or backpack into a walkin area, if you want to swim, or ride your bike.... Devils Den is the perfect place to get away... and enjoy Arkansas!

Devils Den Info click here   -   pictures of our trip