Yellow Rock Trail (Devil's Den State Park) Hiking Guide
Yellow Rock is the signature overlook at Devil's Den State Park, a rock outcrop with what the park calls an unobstructed view of the Lee Creek valley. The trail to it is a National Recreation Trail that climbs about 300 feet past cedar glades and the park's first building. The park sits south of Fayetteville off Highway 74 near West Fork, which makes this an easy half-day outing from town.
Distance and Climb
Arkansas State Parks lists the Yellow Rock Trail at 3 miles, rated moderate, taking about two hours, with roughly 300 feet of climbing to the overlook. AllTrails measures its main route at 2.7 miles with 501 feet of gain and also rates it moderate; a second AllTrails version via the Overlook Shelter is a 2.2-mile loop with 311 feet of gain. Mapping apps and the park measure slightly different routes, so treat 2.7 to 3 miles as the range.
At the Overlook
The view opens at the top of Yellow Rock, looking out over the Lee Creek valley in the rugged Boston Mountain country the park describes. Treat the edge of the rock like any Ozark bluff: keep kids and dogs well back from the lip and take photos from where the footing is flat. On the rest of the loop the park points out cedar glades, interesting rock formations and the first structure built in the park.
Park Basics
Devil's Den is at 11333 West Arkansas Highway 74 near West Fork. The visitor center is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. except Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and the campground and picnic area stay open all year. The park's office number for trail questions is 479-761-3325.
Dogs and Caves
Arkansas State Parks rules require pets to be leashed, caged or otherwise kept under the owner's direct physical control, not voice control, so bring a leash for Yellow Rock. The park's caves are gated; its own interpretive program asks why the caves are closed and explains how the protected spaces help its bats survive. Don't try to enter any cave or crevice that is fenced or signed.
Other Trails Here
Yellow Rock connects to a wider network of hiking, mountain bike and horse trails, including the 15-mile Butterfield Hiking Trail loop. The short Devil's Den Trail and the Butterfield were both closed in summer 2025, and the park's trail pages don't say whether they have reopened, so call the park before planning to add either one.
Hiking tips for Yellow Rock Trail (Devil's Den State Park)
- Call the park at 479-761-3325 to check trail status before a long drive.
- Keep dogs on a leash; voice control does not satisfy state park rules.
- Stay well back from the edge of Yellow Rock, especially with kids.
- Stop at the visitor center between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. for a trail map.
- Respect the cave gates; they protect the park's bats.
Nearby trails to explore
- Lake Fayetteville Trail
- Whitaker Point Trail (Hawksbill Crag)
- Lost Valley Trail (Buffalo National River)
Hike this trail with TrailMates
Yellow Rock is a short drive from Fayetteville and a simple plan for a crisp autumn Saturday. Use TrailMates to find hikers heading to Devil's Den, settle the meeting time at the visitor center in the event's group chat, and take in the Lee Creek view as a group. Download TrailMates on the App Store or Google Play.