Lee Creek Valley Trail

The Lee Creek Valley Trail at Devil's Den State Park follows the cool, clear waters of Lee Creek through a boulder-strewn Ozark valley that is among the most scenically beautiful creek corridors in Arkansas. Lee Creek tumbles over ledges of sandstone and limestone, forming deep green pools ideal for swimming in summer. The canyon walls rise steeply on both sides, creating a sheltered environment with its own microclimate that supports plant communities more typical of the Appalachians than the Ozarks.

Large boulders deposited by ancient geological activity fill sections of the creek and form natural jungle gyms for hikers willing to scramble. Swimming holes along the route are popular with park visitors during warm months, and the creek is stocked with trout in cooler seasons. The surrounding forest is dense with ferns, wildflowers, and mosses in the humid creek bottom environment. The trail occasionally climbs above the valley floor to provide elevated perspectives on the creek corridor before descending again. Several CCC-built stone features including footbridges and trail markers add historical interest to the natural beauty of this exceptional Ozark valley hike.