Arkansas: All Hell Breaks Loose in the Devil’s Den

We visited the Devil’s Den in Arkansas on a day when it lived up to its ominous name. Hours of torrential rain turned the usually calm creek running through it into a raging river. Stone stairs on hiking trails looked more like waterfalls, and picnic tables became islands. Undeterred by the rain and fog, we visited the Devil’s Den and nearby Lake Fort Smith, having heard high praise from other travelers about the beauty of the parks.

Picnic tables after the severe rainstorm can only be reached by canoeing or swimming to them.

A flood covers the picnic area along Lee Creek at Devil’s Den.

DEVIL’S DEN STATE PARK

Devil’s Den State Park hides in a small valley in the rugged Boston Mountains of the northwest Arkansas Ozarks. With 2,500 acres, the park provides visitors with a chance to experience some of the most spectacular scenery in the state as they explore the park’s creeks, caves, crevices and overlooks. Miles of multiple use trails are available, including the 15-mile Butterfield Hiking Trail. Mountain bikers will enjoy the Fossil Flats trail.

Linda visits the Ridge Runner Café at Devil’s Den, but rain kept other customers away.

Linda hikes the CCC Interpretive Trail at Devil’s Den.

Park facilities include a café, gift shop and store with camping and picnicking supplies. For lodging, there are 17 rustic cabins with fully equipped kitchens. The park features 146 campsites, a place for group camping and hike-in campsites near Lee Creek.

Many of the campsites at Devil’s Den provide electrical, water and sewer hookups.

Visitors to Devil’s Den may use the swimming pool.

Lake Fort Smith State Park includes a large reservoir with mountain views.

LAKE FORT SMITH STATE PARK

The state park at Lake Fort Smith overlooks a 1,400-acre reservoir and the Boston Mountains. We headed straight for the reservoir and only spotted one other determined family there. After a few photos, we moved on, but the other family kept fishing in the cold rain.

The picnic pavilion at Lake Fort Smith includes sidewalks that make it accessible to all visitors.

The park includes a visitor center, picnic pavilion and playground. It also has 20 campsites with full hook-ups and 10 campsites with water and electricity. For those coming to fish, it has a marina, boat ramp and place to purchase bait and tackle. At the marina, visitors may rent canoes, kayaks, paddle boats and fishing boats. A group lodge and hiking trails are also available.

Arla’s Shocking Moment

On a day like the one when we visited Devil’s Den, it would be obvious to even the most reckless thrill seeker that he should stay out of the creek because somebody could get swept away by the current here. While we stood near the creek, we kept our feet on cemented stones and didn’t even stick a finger into the unholy water.

An overlook at Lake Fort Smith is dedicated to the memory of Polly Wood Crews

Lake Fort Smith State Park includes an accessible visitor center with interactive exhibits.

LINDA’S TAKEAWAY

Linda: I applaud Lake Fort Smith for the creative design that provides accomodations to visitors with a disabilty so they can experience the park. I learned that the park’s unique design was led by Polly Wood Crews, a vocal advocate for the disbabled in Arkansas. She worked vigorously to ensure that those with disabilities could enjoy the park, which was near her home in Fort Smith. To honor her commitment for accessible state park facilities, a walk and overlook was created at Lake Fort Smith in memory of Polly Wood Crews, who served as a member of the Arkansas State Parks Recreational and Travel Commission for a decade before she passed away in 2006.

Doug’s Historical Highlight

At Lake Fort Smith, I enjoyed seeing the western starting point of the 270-mile Ozark Highlands Trail. When completed, the trail will run about 320 miles across Arkansas from Lake Fort Smith to Lake Norfork on the Missouri border. Plans call for connecting it to the Ozark Trail in Missouri, which is nearly 400 miles long.

Linda watches Lee Creek roar over the top of the native stone dam at Devil’s Den.

Flood water flows well beyond the normal banks of Lee Creek due to heavy rainstorms.

GEE WHIZ FACT

Lee Creek is described in the Arkansas State Parks brochure for Devil’s Den as follows: “A clear mountain creek spills its cool, clear waters over the rocky valley floor with its downward flow, slowed only for a moment by a picturesque, native stone dam.”

Uh, we clearly didn’t see it that way.

PARTING SHOTS: THE BEAUTY OF A RAINY DAY