Devil's Den Trail
"Learn to love every minute of your life. Be happy now. Don't wait for something outside of yourself to make you happy in the future" - Earl Nightingale
Difficulty - ✹✹ (out of 5)
Scenic Beauty - ✰✰✰✰ (out of 5)
Directions - click here
This is the signature trail in Devil's Den state park and it's really one of the most enjoyable trails you'll find anywhere. Close to the Fayetteville/Springdale and Ft Smith areas? Check. Well marked, easy-to-follow trail? Check. Fantastic rock formations and waterfalls? Check. Moderate difficulty suitable for most people? Check. This is a 1.3 mile loop that can be found in the center of the Devi's Den park.
Inside Info - There are actually a couple of different trailheads for this hike with one being near the check-in/visitor center and the other being near the Lee Creek bridge. I'm partial to the Lee Creek trailhead so my notes and trailhead pic will be based on that. As I mentioned in the opening paragraph I find this trail to be well marked and easy to follow and that's par for the course with the trails at Devil's Den. The upper part of the trail has a series of unusual rock formations, caves and crevices that give it an almost eerie and surreal feel from which the park's name is derived. There is a a cave inhabited by bats that you used to be able to enter and explore but it has since been closed to the public due to concerns about the health of the bat population. A picture of the gated cave entrance can be found below. Perhaps the most unusual place is called the Devil's Ice Box. At this place the air rushing from the interior of the cave is much cooler than the temperature of the surrounding landscape. During my last visit, the current temperature was 90-plus degrees but I would estimate that the air coming from the cave was 20-30 degrees cooler minimum. As you continue along the trail, it winds downhill to the banks of Lee Creek. While this isn't as interesting or visually appealing as the upper part of the trail, the creek itself is beautiful and the hiking is generally flat and requires no exertion.
Final Word - It's not the hardest or the prettiest or the most remote trail you'll find. It can be crowded on the weekends and this is not a place where you can get away from it all. However, it remains one of my favorite hikes due to accessibility and I love the rock formations here. From my home in Springdale, I can be here in 30 minutes driving time to get a quick nature fix. This should be suitable for most people and most ages and requires minimum fitness if you take your time.
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Trailhead Pic
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