• Young people floating past yellow flowers

    Ozark

    National Scenic Riverways Missouri

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  • Closings and service reductaions due to Federal Budget Cuts announced.

    The public will experience reduced hours and services provided by Ozark National Scenic Riverways due to the budget cuts that became effective March 1, 2013. Please check back often for further details or changes. List of closed facilities, click "MORE." More »

Devils Well

Devils Well

It's a long way down!

Located off Route KK near Akers, this unusual "karst window" allows a look at the earth's plumbing. Devils Well was formed when the roof of a huge cavern, containing an underground lake, collapsed. The result was large sinkhole, with an opening in the bottom through which you can view the lake. The water level is about 100 feet below the platform, and the lake may be as much as 80 feet deep. (It can fluctuate 8 to 10 feet depending on the weather.)

A "spiral staircase" has been built to allow viewing. The road is very steep and rough, it is not recommended for trailers or large motorhomes. There is no admission fee for Devils Well and the area is open everyday, during daylight hours. There is a light that can be activated by a switch in the stairway. You may wish to being your own flashlight or spotlight, however.

A 4.6 mile foottrail leads from Devils Well to Cave Spring on the Current River. Water from Devils Well has been traced to the outlet of Cave Spring. By walking the trail you can see where the water in Devils Well goes. It's a moderately strenuous hike. Map.

There are several exhibits at Devils Well. If you'd like a preview, click below. These are .pdf files, but still may be fairly large and take awhile to load.

Exhibits:

An Underground Lake (.pdf)

Early Exploration (.pdf)

Water at Work (.pdf)

Cave Spring Trailhead (.pdf)

Did You Know?

Ozark hellbender

The Ozark hellbender is one of two species of hellbender, a giant salamander, in the United States. Ozark National Scenic Riverways is one of the few places on earth  home to the Ozark species. More at www.nps.gov/ozar More...