Devil's Den State Park Visitor Center — Attraction in Prairie Grove

Two employees managing the desk when we came to check in for (tent) camping. They were easy to work with and helpful. Visitor center has some educational items around the lobby but not too much honestly. There is a bathroom and an A/V room (but I am not even sure what's in the A/V room - maybe an informational video?). They sell campfire wood there about $6.25 a bundle and that's about it. No frills, but what more do you need. I am sure if we had a lot of questions, they would be willing to help, but they weren't really forthcoming with info without being asked... if you get what I mean. My other negative about the park; they charge $6 per person to use the pool, even if you are paying to stay there! What ticked me off is watching loads of people just walk into the pool after we paid - either make EVERYONE show they paid, or don't collect money at all. The teens working the pool don't care about you paying, even though I would think their job is paid from it. I would not care that I had to pay except no one else walking into that place was paying! I watched a family of like 8 just walk right in from the parking lot, so they definitely didn't pay! (you need to go inside to pay, so it should be obvious). The restaurant was poorly staffed, poor gal was taking all orders and making all the food, by herself, on a Sunday morning! Wasn't necessarily busy, but she could probably use help. I'll say, she was AMAZING and the food was SOOOOO GOOD - considering it's a campground, the food was crazy good! She deserved a huge tip (they don't really take tips btw) but we tipped her anyway. Great job!! Camping (tent). We stayed in "Area A" - site #3. It was a pretty good size site and pretty close to the creek. Bathroom is centered across from here, but I would think it's a bit of a walk from the far end of the sites. The bathrooms are pretty darn nice for a campground, way better than others we've stayed at. Clean shower area (2 showers each side), a couple stalls and a couple sinks. The only downside was the hot water in the men's shower was WAY TOO HOT and it couldn't be turned to cold. I nearly burned my skin and couldn't get under the showerhead, I basically had to "run" past it to rinse off... not what you want when trying to get sweat off yourself. The campsite was great though, you have the normal neighbor situations at tent camps (some loud, some early risers, etc.), but overall it really was pretty quiet and peaceful (far enough from heavy road traffic or any other noise). You are not bothered by hikers or other day use people. It's set-up pretty well in this park! We walked Lee Creek trail, Yellow Rock, and Devil's Den - all were great in their ways - I'll review them on their links in Google. Enjoy the pictures. Book site 3, 2, 4 for shade as 1 and 5 didn't have much at all. Not sure about beyond that, seems most the ones in the middle have good shade as well as ones near...

We camped at Devil's Den State Park, October 2021, in a fifwheel.

Getting to the campground is on a 17 mile very narrow, curvy, uneven road. You will need to hug the center line most of the way. We did come In from the north side because we read the reviews warning of the crazy switchbacks on 74. If you are over 20’ avoid the stress and go a few extra miles up the interstate to get on 170.

Do not drive to the visitor center, because parking is small and not made for big rigs. The roads in the campground are paved with a few pot holes. Several trees need to be trimmed because they hit our roof on several areas.

The office/visitor center was open and everyone was friendly. The park ranger drove through a couple times each day and was very friendly and accommodating. The visitor center is old and small and does not have parking for RVs.

All the sites in Loop E were nicely spaced. You can walk down to the creek from Campground Loop E or A.

Our site, 75, was a back in with a fire pit, and picnic table. Our site was fairly level, but a little tight backing in between 2 trees, one on each side of the site entrance.

No Laundry facilities. No cable and no park Wi-Fi. We had to pay extra for a third party Wi-Fi service, Viasat, that really sucked. Paid $20.00 for 3 days access but the connection kept dropping and redirecting the browser to their login page. While hiking, we ended up resting near the pool and were able to pick up a free Wi-Fi connection. We did get some over the air TV channels.

ATT cell signal was more or less dead since the park is in a "hole" surrounded by hills. Our WeBoost was able to afford us text messages, but no voice calls, internet or e-mails.

Hiking trails were great, well marked by diamond shaped, color coded, placards on trees.

We will...

I will start with the good points. Really nice part of Arkansas and the park does not cost any money to enjoy.

My negative experience started and ended at the visitor center. I was there to take an overnight hike on the Butterfield trail. When I asked for a map she told me there was no maps of the trail. So I asked for one of the area. Still no maps. Then she gave me hand sketched map that was on a brochure and said that all they had but at least it had mile markers on it. I took it and thought at least I will know when I hit certain sports on the trail. Next, I had to get a permit. No issue with that at all. But then she informed me that I had to list my medical history on the permit. When I declined to give her that info she gave the permit back and told me I had to fill it out. She was VERY rude. I was nice it told her that was between me and my doctor and that she would not get that information. After a brief stare off she handed me the permit.

The trail is a pretty nice trail and was in moderate condition and only a few places with trail markers lacking. Several nice campsites available and water was not a problem.

The next day after we got off the trail I went to turn in my permit. The same lady was at the counter and I told here that the map she gave me was off by over a mile (literally over a mile). And her reply astounded me. She said “yes it is off and one day it may be fixed”. So I asked for a topological map that ever hiker should carry with them and they do not have them for purchase at the visitor center where you get the permits and then they knowingly give out incorrect maps. That is just dangerous and incompetent.

Arkansas State Park System is usually better than that. Devils Den needs much better management. ...