Devil's Den State Park Visitor Center: Gateway to Ozark Adventure

Located within Devil's Den State Park, the visitor center acts as a hub for exploring the park's unique natural and historical features. The park itself spans 2,500 acres in the Boston Mountains, a southwestern part of the Ozarks. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) built the park in the 1930s, and it stands today as one of the best-preserved CCC sites in the U.S.. At the visitor center, you can gather information about the park's history, including its construction by the CCC during the Great Depression. Discover the area's earlier history, from Native American settlements dating back 8,000 years to its use as a hideout for outlaws and Confederate guerrillas. The park's name, Devil's Den, comes from the approximately 60 crevice caves formed by a collapsed hillside thousands of years ago. The visitor center provides access to a variety of trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. Obtain permits and maps for trails like the popular Devil's Den Trail, which leads past the cave area, Twin Falls, and the Devil's Icebox. The Yellow Rock Trail offers stunning views from the CCC-built Yellow Rock Overlook. For longer treks, the 15-mile Butterfield Hiking Trail explores the Ozark National Forest. Beyond hiking, Devil's Den State Park offers fishing in Lake Devil, an 8-acre lake formed by a CCC-built dam. The park also features a swimming pool open during the summer. The visitor center ensures you're well-equipped to appreciate the blend of natural beauty and historical significance that makes Devil's Den a memorable destination.