When to go
Weather, crowds, and what the season changes about the trip.
Spring
Mild and green, with flowing creeks and busy weekends.
Pack Rain shell, grippy footwear, and an early start for the overlook.
Summer
Warm and humid, with shaded hollows and the creek for cooling off.
Pack Water, bug spray, and sun protection on the ridge sections.
Fall
Crisp hiking weather and strong color through the hollow.
Pack Warm layer, headlamp for short days, and traction for leaves on rock.
Winter
Cold and quiet, with bare-tree overlooks and occasional ice in the caves.
Pack Insulation, traction, and a plan for limited seasonal services.
Top things to do
Yellow Rock Trail
The must-do for first-time visitors, climbing to one of the best overlooks in the park above the Lee Creek valley.
Devil's Den Trail and caves
A short loop past crevices, bluffs, and the namesake caves. Caves may close to protect bats, so check current access.
Butterfield Hiking Trail
A 15-mile backpacking loop past rock formations and panoramic viewpoints, the longest route in the park.
Anchor the day around Yellow Rock Trail
Put the access rule first: shuttle, parking, timed-entry, or reservation windows should decide the order of the day. For one day in Devil's Den State Park, make Yellow Rock Trail the non-negotiable, add Devil's Den Trail and caves only if the first stop runs clean, and keep Butterfield Hiking Trail as the flexible finish.
- 1Start with Yellow Rock Trail: The must-do for first-time visitors, climbing to one of the best overlooks in the park above the Lee Creek valley.
- 2Add Devil's Den Trail and caves: A short loop past crevices, bluffs, and the namesake caves. Caves may close to protect bats, so check current access.
- 3Use Butterfield Hiking Trail as the optional finish, not as a reason to rush the whole day.
Plan your trip
Turn Devil's Den's conditions into water, pack, and sleep-system decisions.
Build around conditions
Let season, elevation, and weather set the plan.
Plan your trip
4 quick tools, already seeded for Devil's Den State Park. Tune the numbers around temperature swings, footing, layers, and how much margin the route needs.
What to pack
Start with the gear decisions this park changes: footing, weather, camping, and water.
Kit Authority
Devil's Den State Park packing list
0 of 25 packed. Check items as you pack, then take this list to the store, trailhead, or campsite.
Pack planning
Decide what Devil's Den State Park asks of your kit before you start checking boxes.
Use this as a constraint check while you are still shaping the trip. The active checklist becomes useful once your route, dates, and sleep plan are set.
- First constraintHydration and exposureWater, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, Navigationmap, downloaded GPS, or a GPS watch, 3 more
- Route realityFooting and tractionHiking boots, Hiking socks, Trekking poles
- Load choicePack and carry systemBackpacking pack
- If overnightSleep and shelterBackpacking tent, Sleeping bag, Sleeping pad, 1 more
Checklist mode
25 items, grouped for the trip you are actually taking.
- Dates and season are set.
- Primary route, campground, or lodge is chosen.
- Water, footwear, and overnight needs are sized.
One researched pick
The first gear decision for Devil's Den
A stable daypack is the one purchase that organizes water, layers, food, first aid, and the small safety margin.
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THE DAY-HIKE PICK
Osprey Talon 22
- Volume
- 22 L
- Weight
- 2 lb 1 oz (945 g)
- Back Panel
- AirScape foam with ventilation channels
- Hipbelt Pockets
- 2 zippered
- Hydration
- Compatible up to 3 L reservoir (sold separately)
- Warranty
- All Mighty Guarantee (lifetime repair or replace)
The Talon 22 is the daypack you see on the trail more than any other for good reason: it packs in a padded hipbelt, adjustable torso harness, and dual hipbelt pockets into a 22-liter package that handles loads up to 20 lb without complaint. Owners across hundreds of Amazon ratings consistently cite its adjustability and durability as standouts.
- Adjustable torso fit covers a wide range of body sizes
- Padded hipbelt and dual hipbelt pockets at this size are rare
- At 2 lb 1 oz it runs heavier than ultralight rivals for the same volume
Best for
Hikers who want a proven all-around daypack with solid load support, plenty of adjustment, and a warranty they can actually use.
Gear for Devil's Den
The buying guides that match what Devil's Den asks of your kit, with our current top picks across budget and use case.
Where to stay
Stay strategy
Choose the base before reservations narrow.
Stay strategy
Cabin or campground, both in the hollow.
Devil's Den has free entry, so lodging is the real reservation. The historic stone cabins fill first for fall color and spring weekends, and the campground is the flexible backup.
Compare base options
1930s stone cabins, modern inside is the first base to test against your route. Compare the alternatives by morning friction, reservation risk, and drive time.
- Best for
- Travelers who want history and comfort with a full kitchen and air conditioning.
- Tradeoff
- Only 17 full cabins, so they book months ahead for peak dates.
Planning detail
Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s and updated with heat, air conditioning, and full kitchens.
- Best for
- Campers who want a roof and a bed without full cabin amenities.
- Tradeoff
- Minimal amenities, with shared bathhouses and outdoor picnic tables.
Planning detail
Six simple camper cabins for a step up from a tent at a lower cost than the full cabins.
- Best for
- Tent and RV campers who want the flexible, lower-cost base.
- Tradeoff
- The best sites still go early on holiday and fall-color weekends.
Planning detail
135 campsites across the hollow, including some hike-in tent-only sites near Lee Creek.
Camping reservations
Camping reservations
Book through Arkansas State Parks, cabins first for peak dates.
Devil's Den charges no entrance fee, so where you sleep is the reservation that matters. The campground has 135 sites including hike-in tent sites, and the historic CCC cabins are reserved through the same Arkansas system.
Reviewed June 11, 2026
Booking window
Reserve campsites and cabins through the official Arkansas State Parks reservation system. Cabin and camping bookings carry a non-refundable deposit, and peak weekends fill early.
- There is no entrance fee or vehicle permit. Camping and cabin fees apply separately.
- Cabin reservations carry a non-refundable deposit, and dog-friendly cabins add a pet fee.
- The campground has 135 sites, including some hike-in tent-only sites near Lee Creek.
Where to book or verify
Official Arkansas State Parks campground reservation page.
Official cabin reservation page for the CCC stone cabins and camper cabins.
Check for federal campground, backcountry, tour, and permit inventory tied to this park.
Campgrounds to know
Devil's Den campground
Details- Booking
- Reserve through Arkansas State Parks.
- Sites
- 135 sites, including electric sites and hike-in tent-only sites.
- Best first check for tent and RV campers who want the flexible base.
CCC and camper cabins
Details- Booking
- Reserve through Arkansas State Parks.
- Sites
- 17 full cabins plus 6 bare-bones camper cabins.
- Book first for peak dates, since these fill before the campground.
Getting there and practical info
Build the arrival around the reservation.
Entry windows, permit pickups, and drive time should be checked before the itinerary gets crowded.
Getting there
Get to Devil's Den State Park with the required window already protected.
- Access rhythm
- Plan the last mile
- Region
- Arkansas
Car strategy
Devil's Den is in the Lee Creek valley near Winslow, off a winding mountain road south of Fayetteville and West Fork.
Car strategy
A car is required, and the descent into the hollow on State Highway 74 is steep and narrow, so large RVs and trailers should check the recommended route before committing.
Pair this with lodging: choose the base that keeps the reservation or permit pickup from becoming the hardest part of the day.
Can you photograph here? Permit and drone rules
Arkansas has no state-level film permit; the AEDC film office handles registration, and state parks shoots go through the parks department.
- Permit
- Usually fine for personal shoots; commercial or large productions can need a permit
- Drones
- Commercial drone work requires FAA Part 107
- Land
- Yes: you can photograph what is visible from public space in the US
From our photography sister site, Aperture Authority. Verified 2026-07-01.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best hike at Devil's Den State Park?
The Yellow Rock Trail, about 3 miles round trip, is the must-do for first-time visitors and leads to one of the best overlooks in the park above the Lee Creek valley.
Is there an entrance fee at Devil's Den?
No. Arkansas State Parks do not charge an entrance fee or vehicle permit at Devil's Den. Camping and cabin fees apply separately, and cabin bookings carry a non-refundable deposit.
Can you stay in a cabin at Devil's Den?
Yes. There are 17 cabins built by the CCC in the 1930s, updated inside with full kitchens, heat, and air conditioning, plus six simpler camper cabins. They book out for peak weekends, so reserve early.