Devil’s Den State Park Photo: Alejandro Forero Cuervo / CC BY 2.0
United States › Arkansas

Devil’s Den State Park

ByWilderness Experts

Fast facts

  • History: selected as a park in the 1930s; one of the most intact Civilian Conservation Corps parks in the United States
  • Setting: Lee Creek Valley in the Boston Mountains of the Ozarks
  • Backpacking: the Butterfield Hiking Trail, a loop of about 15 miles (24 km) into the Ozark National Forest
  • Gateway: Winslow and Fayetteville
  • Managed by: Arkansas State Parks

The landscape

Devil’s Den lies in a sandstone valley of the Ozarks, where Lee Creek runs past bluffs, boulders and deep crevices. Oak-hickory forest covers the hills, and the park’s rustic stone and wood buildings, built by the CCC, blend into the setting. Deer, wild turkeys and many birds live here.

Best time to go

Spring brings waterfalls and dogwood blooms. Fall colour peaks in late October. Summer is hot and humid; winter is quiet.

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Getting there and around

Highway 74 winds into the valley from Winslow. Roads lead to the campgrounds, cabins, dam and trailheads. Trails climb out of the valley into the surrounding national forest.

Things to do

The Devil’s Den Trail explores the crevices and bluffs, and Yellow Rock offers a big view. Backpackers take on the Butterfield Hiking Trail loop. Mountain bikers ride the park’s Monument Trails, including historic Fossil Flats, and the creek offers swimming and paddling in season.

Staying safe

Lee Creek and its side streams rise quickly after heavy rain, so avoid crossings when water is high. Rock is slippery when wet. Check for ticks and chiggers, watch for venomous snakes, and carry water in summer. Leave a trip plan for the Butterfield loop.

Know before you go

This page is a general overview, not a live conditions report, so confirm trail conditions and reservations with Arkansas State Parks before you go.

Navigation
Coordinates
35.7806, -94.2517
Magnetic declination
0.9° E (2026)

Set this declination on your compass, then align it to the map's north lines; it is the angle between true north and magnetic north, refreshed each year.

How declination works, and how to navigate with a map and compass

9 places in Devil’s Den State Park

A spread of the park’s main places shows straight away, and the rest appear as you zoom in. You can also search above, or pick any place from the lists below, and the map will go to it. Places in bold, marked , have a short description.

Getting there 1

Visitor centre

On the trail 5

Routes

Campgrounds

Hut or shelter

Sights 3

Waterfall

Heritage sites

Map data comes from third-party sources and may be incomplete or out of date, so carry a current official map (terms).

Trip types
Day hikeCar campingWeekend backpackingCycling

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Terrain
ForestMountainsRivers
Key hazards
Flash flooding on creeksSlippery rock and crevicesTicks and chiggersVenomous snakesSummer heat
Best seasons
Spring, Fall (foliage)
Difficulty
Easy to moderate
Access / trailheads
Highway 74 west of Winslow, in the Boston Mountains south of Fayetteville.
Water
Water at developed areas; treat creek water on the trail.
Cell / satellite coverage
Limited in the valley.
Nearest ranger / SAR / emergency
Emergencies: 911.
Permits & regulations
Campsites and cabins are reserved through Arkansas State Parks; register before backpacking the Butterfield Hiking Trail.
Leave No Trace
Stay on trails, camp at designated backpacking sites, and leave the rock formations and CCC structures as you find them.
Conditions by month

October This month

Average high74°F(23°C)23°C(74°F)
Average low47°F(8°C)8°C(47°F)
Rainfall4.9 in(123 mm)123 mm(4.9 in)
Daylight, mid-month11 h 20 minSunrise 7:22 a.m., sunset 6:42 p.m.

What to bring depends on your trip: how long you’re out, where you sleep, and how far you go from the road. The planner builds the list for yours.

Plan a trip here →

Averages for 1991–2020 from NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, measured at the Mountainburg station, 11 miles (17 km)17 km (11 miles) away at 793 feet (242 m)242 m (793 feet). Higher trails run colder, by about 3.5°F for every 1,000 ft (2°C per 300 m)2°C for every 300 m (3.5°F per 1,000 ft) of climb. Daylight runs from sunrise to sunset on the 15th, on the park’s own clock, for a level horizon. Valleys and slopes facing away from the sun are in shade earlier.

Before you go Conditions, permits, fire bans and closures change constantly — we summarise and link out, but always confirm with the managing agency first.
Official park website → Last verified 2026-09-21

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A day’s drive from Devil’s Den

Straight-line distance between park centres. Road distance is usually longer.

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