Devils Well, Natural sinkhole formation in Ozark National Scenic Riverways, Missouri.
Devils Well is a sinkhole within the Ozark National Scenic Riverways containing an underground chamber with a lake inside. The lake measures approximately 400 feet long and 100 feet wide, situated roughly 100 feet below ground level.
The first documented exploration took place in 1954 when Bill Wallace and his brother Bob descended using a steel cable and hand-powered winch system. This early expedition laid the groundwork for understanding this underground structure.
This well serves as a window into hidden ecosystems that most people never encounter in their daily lives. Visitors come to appreciate how rare species thrive in complete darkness and isolation underground.
Visitors can access an observation platform via a spiral metal staircase and use a switch to light up the underground waters during daylight hours. The stairs are steep and require moderate physical fitness to descend safely.
Water from this underground lake travels through a complex cave system and emerges seven miles away at Cave Spring on the Current River. This hidden subterranean journey shows how water shapes rock and connects the landscape underground.
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