Devils Den State Park

About Devils Den State Park

The park was selected by the US Army Corps of Engineers in the 1930s because of its proximity to the mountain's so-called ancient sediments. The Civil Protection Department has used local materials to build the park, including an impressive stone dam that forms the peaceful, 8-hectare Devil's Lake spanning Lee Creek in the heart of the park.

Hiking, backpacking and mountain biking trails lead from the Devil's hinterland to the surrounding Ozark National Forest and beyond. Hikers, mountain bikers and cross-country skiers as well as snowboarders can be rented in the park.

Nestled in the natural beauty of the park are fully equipped cottages with wood-burning fireplaces, wood-burning stoves and other amenities. The cabins are available all year round, but the wood-burning stove is available from mid-September to the end of September.

Food, gifts and snacks can be bought in the parking lot and you can overlook the lake from the main entrance of the park on the north side of the road, just a short walk from your cabins.

The fully equipped cabins have a fully equipped kitchen with hob, hob, oven, gas hob and hob, as well as a utility area. A barbecue and picnic table are on the terrace, and there is also an outdoor dining area with picnic tables, chairs and tables, and a large outdoor fireplace.

Many outdoor enthusiasts visit Devil's Den State Park to explore the many caves and caves in the park and the many hiking trails. Most of the caves in the park are located in crevices connected by a series of tunnels, some up to 1,000 m deep, but the longest is the Devil's Cave at 540 m.

Those who wish to explore the caves must follow certain guidelines to obtain a free permit to visit the Visitor Centre. Some caves can be visited alone, no flashlight is required, but others may want to explore. Take part in the exhausting cave tours, which are offered once a week in summer and once every two weeks in winter.

Sandstone and limestone caves are very rare in the park, making it one of the most popular attractions in Devils Den State Park.

The Butterfield Trail is one of the few loops in the state and takes its name from the stagecoaches that rode through the area from 1858 to 1861. The trail starts at the entrance to Devils Den State Park, crosses the highway and heads south along the east side of Devils Den. Nature trails such as the Butterfields Trail are plentiful and the trail can be started at any point along the main road of the park, but also on other trails.

The rock formations and mountainous outbreaks offer dramatic motifs for photographers as well as picturesque views of the New York River and Hudson River.

Backpackers must obtain a free permit from the park office before starting their hike. A self-guided trail leads to a Civil Protection Corps camp, but hikers should not forget to check the CCC program to get a better impression of the park.

Drivers need a free permit on the way to the park's visitor center, and several traveling exhibitions interpret the CCC camp. The path is divided into two sections, one on the east side of the trail and the other on the west side. Each path has its own entrance and exit, as well as a parking space for cars and trucks.

It has two caves, Devil's Hollow and TeUrock Ice Box, and is a sight to be expected as you wriggle through the rugged terrain of the Boston Mountains.

There are parking spaces and hiking trails in both places, but extreme caution is required when walking through the cave area. A flashlight is required to explore the caves, and parking at Devil's Den State Park is limited to one parking space per day.

Racer Hill contains technical single track tracks and should only be used by experienced mountain bikers. There are two river crossings and riders can ride three different loops on the track, but Racer Hill is only accessible by bike.

The trail is marked with a red sign and offers views of the lake and Lee Creek, but cyclists should avoid this trail as there are four river crossings. This path coincides with the path east and west of Devil's Den State Park on the west side of Lee Creek.

Highlights include an abundance of fossils and charcoal joints, and it is also a good place to see bird species and other wildlife. This path leads hikers through the Lee Creek Valley and returns to its creek bed overlooking Devil's Den State Park on the east side of the creek.

In case of high water, the creek bed should be avoided, and this path leads to state road 220. The easiest way to get around the park is on the east side of Lee Creek Valley, south of Devil's Den State Park.

Much of the way follows the original route along the highway, but caution is required in some places.
Yellow signs mark the way, and much of it is marked by yellow signs, with a sign at each intersection.

The highlight of the trail are the two viewpoints: Vista Point overlooks Blackburn Valley and at the horse camp you cross Lee Creek and climb to the top of Holt Ridge. Drivers are offered a short hike to Vista Point and a picnic area on the Holt ridge.

To help visitors learn more about the diverse flora of this part of the Ozarks, the plants along the way are numbered according to the ID cards available at the visitor center. This short, self-guided hike starts at a bathhouse at the campsite E. E. The path is marked with green signs and can be reached on foot, by bike or by car.

The highlight of this walk is the view of Yellow Rock Bluff, but it is an excellent walk in autumn when the leaves change.

Park interpreters offer guided hikes along several miles of trails, including the 15-mile Butterfield Trail and a walk along the Blue Ridge Trail.

In summer games and programs are offered daily, in spring, autumn and winter interpretive programming is possible.