Devil's Den State Park, State park in Washington County, Arkansas
Devil's Den State Park is a state park in Washington County in northwest Arkansas that spreads across wooded valleys and rocky slopes within the Ozark Mountains. A small lake sits at the center, surrounded by campsites, cabins, and trails that run through dense forest and over rock ledges.
Young men of the Civilian Conservation Corps built the first infrastructure of the park between 1933 and 1942, including wooden and stone buildings and paths through the terrain. This work came during the Great Depression as part of a nationwide program to create jobs and recreation areas.
The name comes from a crevice about six feet deep (1.8 meters) between two sandstone boulders that looks like an entrance into the earth. Visitors today can walk around this formation and explore the narrow passages between the large stone blocks.
Most trails are well marked and lead through terrain of varying steepness with many natural rock formations. Visitors should wear sturdy footwear and watch for slippery spots, especially after rain or near streams.
The lake water often has a greenish tint from algae and minerals that have accumulated over decades. The stone dam that holds the lake was built by hand and still shows the joints and shapes of the original construction.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
