The Trail
Nearest Town with Accommodations: Fayetteville / Fort Smith
Location: From Fort Smith take I-40 going east going toward Little Rock. Watch for the I-540 exit to Fayetteville and take this exit when you come to it. Once on I-540 heading north you will travel for about 30 minutes, you will go through a tunnel and then about 5 miles after that you will come to the Winslow / Devils Den State Park exit this will be Hwy. 74 take this exit. At the four way stop turn left onto Hwy. 74 and follow it for about 8 miles to Devils Den State Park. Once in the park go past the Visitor Center, you will then pass a store/restaurant, and then pass a small pond to your left. You will cross over a bridge and after crossing the bridge take your first right and follow this road into campgrounds A. This road will loop in the campgrounds and the trail head will be at the far end of the loop just watch for an old dirt road and a gate to your right, you can park in front of the gate.
Type: Single track / Loops.
Distance: About 6 miles.
Summary: This is a wonderful little trail not long in length and not real technical. You will start out on an old dirt and rocky road follow this road for maybe a quarter of a mile and watch to your right for the trail that darts in toward Lee Creek. This is a fun little section of the trail not much climbing nor anything really bad here. You will eventually come back out on a dirt road again and will have a little climb here it's not to bad of a climb other then the fact that there is a lot of loose rock to get in the way. Stay on this dirt road and it will eventually run into some single track that will drop you into the dry creek bed, now this little section might require a little handling skills due to the large rocks you will have to ride over but most people can do it with out to much trouble. After the dry creek bed its back onto some smooth single track. You will be presented an option on this section of the trail. If you turn right you will by-pass Racers Hill which is the longest climb out there. If you turn left you will get to enjoy the climb up Racers Hill as well as a really nice down hill on the other side. The climb up is not really bad nor is it really steep, it can be a little eroded at times. Once at the top you will get to come down a fast sweeping down hill with some areas that require a little handling skills especially at speed. There are a few little rocks and such on the way down that make for some nice little jumps. Once you get down from Racers Hill you will come to another T in the trail. If you turn right you will go back to the start of Racers Hill, if you turn left you will continue on down Fossil Flats trail. After turning left you will enjoy some really nice flat and well packed trail follow this for a little ways and you will come to a section that might un-nerve some folks. If you don't like narrow trail, combined with a little technical stuff and a drop off to your right then you might want to walk this little section. The trail here gets a little narrow in spots, and you have to deal with a few rocks and roots in the middle of the trail. The drop off is not all that far but it is steep with rocks at the bottom. Once past the ridge you will have a short little climb and then onto some more smooth trail. When you reach a section where the ground is black from shell you are getting close to the Gravity Cavity. This is a big ravine in that makes for a nice whoopee doo. Bled a little speed and just as you crest the top let off the brakes and you will have no problem getting up the other side. After the Gravity Cavity its all pretty smooth back to the campgrounds. You will have to cross Lee Creek to get back to the campgrounds, sometimes it has water in it and sometimes it don't so you might get your feet wet. All in all this a great little trail well worth riding if you are in the area. Devils Den State Park is one of the nicest camping areas I have been in and having this trail so close to the camping makes it well worth a weekends stay there.
Recommended Route: The best route is to ride this (CW) that is how most folks ride it that I know of.
When to ride: Anytime of the year is good, the trail is well maintained. In the summer months Lee Creek may not have any water in it so fording it is not a problem. In the Winter, Fall, and Spring the creek almost always has water in it so be prepared to wade across it.
Rating: This trail is good for almost all riders. Some of the rocky sections might be a little rough for novice riders as well as the ridge riding and the Gravity Cavity but these can all be walked. Racers Hill can be by-passed if the rider wishes not to climb it.
Other recommended trails in the area:
Hobbs State Park, Lake Leatherwood,
Ben Geren, Spring Hill