Hiking - Devil's Den State Park
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Butterfield Hiking Trail
Length: 15 miles
Time: 12 hours-overnight
Difficulty: Moderate
Brochure: Free downloadable topo map available
Description: The Butterfield Hiking Trail gets its name from the Butterfield Stagecoach which ran in the area between 1858-1861. The Butterfield Trail is one of the few looped backpacking trails in the state. Beginning in Devil's Den State Park near the park's pavilion, the trail crosses Hwy. 74 and passes near Mount Olive. Scenic views, such as Blackburn Creek and Vista Point, are plentiful. Rock formations and mountainous outcroppings provide photographers with dramatic subjects. Backpackers must obtain a free permit at the park office before beginning their hike.
Location: 8 miles south of Fayetteville on I-540 (Exit 53),then 18 miles southwest on Hwy. 170, or 7 miles west of I-540 (Exit 45) at Winslow on Hwy. 74.
CCC Interpretive Trail
Length: 1/4 mile
Time: 1/2 hour
Difficulty: Easy
Description: This self-guided trail winds through the Civilian Conservation Corps camp. Hikers learn about the CCC program and gain a better appreciation for the park. Several trail-side exhibits interpret the CCC camp.
Location: 8 miles south of Fayetteville on I-540 (Exit 53) then 18 miles southwest on Hwy. 170, or 7 miles west of I-540 (Exit 45) at Winslow on Hwy. 74
Cross Country Mountain Bike Trail
Length: 3 - 15 miles
Time: 1/2 - 4 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Description: This trail has something to offer for every biker -- scenic views, creek crossings, dirt roads, single-track, long downhills and taxing uphills. The trail is divided into three different loops outside the park in the Ozark National Forest. Riders must obtain a free permit at the park Visitor Center to ride this trail.
Location: 8 miles south of Fayetteville on I-540 (Exit 53) then 18 miles southwest on Hwy. 170, or 7 miles west of I-540 (Exit 45) at Winslow on Hwy. 74
Devil's Den Self-Guided Trail (National Recreation Trail)
Length: 1 1/2 miles
Time: 2 - 3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Brochure: Available at visitor center
Description: The Devil's Den Trail, one of the most popular trails within the park, features two fracture caves: the Devil's Den and the Devil's Icebox. Gravity flow springs, peculiar erosional remnants of sandstone strata, wet weather waterfalls, and lush Ozark plant and animal life are just a few of the sights you can expect as you wind through the rugged Boston Mountain terrain. A flashlight is necessary to explore the caves. Extreme caution should be used while walking in the cave area due to open crevasses! Trailheads are located behind the visitor center and by the Highway 170 bridge at Lee Creek. Parking is available at both locations.
Location: 8 miles south of Fayetteville on I-540 (Exit 53) then 18 miles southwest on Hwy. 170, or 7 miles west of I-540 (Exit 45) at Winslow on Hwy. 74
Fossil Flats
Length: 3 - 5 miles
Time: 1/2 to 2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Description: Riders can choose three different loops to ride on this trail. There are two creek crossings on each. Racer's Hill contains technical single track and should be ridden by experienced mountain bikers only.
Location: 8 miles south of Fayetteville on I-540 (Exit 53), then 18 miles southwest on Hwy. 170, or 7 miles west of I-540 (Exit 45) at Winslow on Hwy. 74
Gorley King
Length: 7 miles
Time: 3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Description: This trail coincides with Vista Point Trail to the top of Holt Ridge and Holt Ridge Overlook. Riders should avoid this trail during high water since there are four creek crossings. The trail is marked with red signs.
Location: 8 miles south of Fayetteville on I-540 (Exit 53), then 18 miles southwest on Hwy. 170, or 7 miles west of I-540 (Exit 45) at Winslow on Hwy. 74
Lake Trail
Length: 1/2 mile (one way)
Time: 1/2 hour
Difficulty: Easy
Description: This trail provides views of the lake and Lee Creek. It's also a good place for birding and to observe other wildlife.
Location: 8 miles south of Fayetteville on I-540 (Exit 53), then 18 miles southwest on Hwy. 170, or 7 miles west of I-540 (Exit 45) at Winslow on Hwy. 74
Lee Creek Trail
Length: 1 1/4 miles
Time: 1 hour
Difficulty: Moderate
Description: This loop trail takes hikers up the Lee Creek Valley and returns to the trailhead via the creek bed. Highlights include an abundance of fossils and a seam of coal. The creek bed should be avoided when water is high.
Location: 8 miles south of Fayetteville on I-540 (Exit 53), then 18 miles southwest on Hwy. 170, or 7 miles west of I-540 (Exit 45) at Winslow on Hwy. 74
Old Road Trail
Length: 5 miles
Time: 2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Description: The trailhead is across State Road 220 from the horse camp. This is the easiest of the park's three horse trails. Much of the trail follows the original route of Hwy. 170. Caution is advised at the two locations where it crosses Hwy. 170. The trail is marked with yellow signs.
Location: 8 miles south of Fayetteville on I-540 (Exit 53), then 18 miles southwest on Hwy. 170, or 7 miles west of I-540 (Exit 45) at Winslow on Hwy. 74
Vista Point Trail
Length: 8 miles
Time: 4 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
Description: From the horse camp this trail crosses Lee Creek and climbs to the top of Holt Ridge. The highlight of this trail is two overlooks. Vista Point looks out over Blackburn Valley and Holt Ridge Overlook affords riders views of Lee Creek Valley and the park down below. The trail is marked with green signs.
Location: 8 miles south of Fayetteville on I-540 (Exit 53), then 18 miles southwest on Hwy. 170, or 7 miles west of I-540 (Exit 45) at Winslow on Hwy. 74
Woody Plant Trail
Length: 1/4 mile
Time: 1/2 - 3/4 hour
Difficulty: Easy
Brochure: Available at visitor center
Description: This short, self-guided trail begins near either bathhouse in Camping Area E and meanders through the woods surrounding the campgrounds. To help visitors learn more about the diversified plant life found in this part of the Ozarks, plants along the trail have been numbered to correspond with an identification sheet which is available at the visitor center.
Location: 8 miles south of Fayetteville on I-540 (Exit 53) then 18 miles southwest on Hwy. 170, or 7 miles west of I-540 (Exit 45) at Winslow on Hwy. 74
Yellow Rock Trail
Length: 3 miles
Time: 2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Description: The highlight of this trail is the view from Yellow Rock Bluff. It's an excellent trail to hike in the fall when the leaves are changing. A component of the National Trails System.
Location: 8 miles south of Fayetteville on I-540 (Exit 53), then 18 miles southwest on Hwy. 170, or 7 miles west of I-540 (Exit 45) at Winslow on Hwy. 74
For Information:
Park Superintendent,
11333 West Hwy. 74,
West Fork,
AR
72774
, (479) 761-3325
devilsden@arkansas.com
- Contact Information
- 11333 West Arkansas Highway 74
West Fork, AR 72774
- Email: devilsden@arkansas.com)
- To reach the park office or make campsite reservations call 479-761-3325
- ArkansasStateParks.com
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