Arkansas Highway 74: Winslow to Devil’s Den State Park

Take a winding ride through the Ozark Mountains as we follow Arkansas Highway 74 from Winslow westward to Devil’s Den State Park. Though the distance is short, this drive packs in the very essence of Ozark backroads — steep grades, sweeping curves, thick forests, and sudden glimpses of ridgelines that remind us of the rugged terrain we’re threading. It’s a route that feels both secluded and welcoming, connecting a quiet mountaintop town to one of the state’s most iconic parks.

We begin in Winslow, a mountain community perched at one of the highest elevations along the old St. Louis–San Francisco Railway. Winslow has long been a gateway to the mountains, once attracting travelers seeking cool summers and panoramic views. Highway 74 starts in the heart of town near Main Street, and almost immediately, the road leaves behind the cluster of old storefronts and homes. Within minutes, we are surrounded by dense Ozark forest, the trees leaning in close to form a canopy overhead. The pavement narrows and begins a rhythm of curves and dips, each turn revealing another slice of woodland scenery. In summer, the green tunnel of oak and hickory is near total; in autumn, these same hills explode into a blaze of red, orange, and gold, making the drive a living postcard.

As we push west, the terrain grows more dramatic. Highway 74 rides a series of ridges, then plunges into hollows where small creeks cut through the rock. The grades here can be sharp, and the road bends tightly, demanding our attention as much as it rewards us with views. Occasionally, the trees part just long enough for us to glimpse distant hillsides rolling away in layers of blue and gray. This part of the route feels far removed from modern highways, with no billboards, no gas stations, and little traffic beyond fellow travelers heading for the park. It’s a reminder of how Ozark roads once tied together communities long before the interstates.

Closer to Devil’s Den, the descent becomes more pronounced. We follow the bends downward into the Lee Creek Valley, a corridor carved deep into the sandstone. Here, the bluffs begin to rise around us — weathered cliffs streaked with lichens and shaded by pines and hardwoods. It’s easy to see why the Civilian Conservation Corps chose this place in the 1930s for their work: the natural beauty practically demands preservation. Soon we pass the stone entrance markers, guiding us into Devil’s Den State Park itself. The highway eases into a gentler grade, crossing bridges and leading us to the heart of the park.

Our journey concludes at the Devil’s Den State Park Visitors Center, a rustic stone-and-timber building that embodies the craftsmanship of the CCC era. From here, countless options unfold: hiking trails that explore caves, creeks, and bluffs; campgrounds tucked beneath the trees; and picnic areas that invite a lingering afternoon. The drive has been short, but it has set the stage perfectly, easing us out of town life and into the Ozark wilds. Highway 74 from Winslow to Devil’s Den is more than a connector — it’s a prologue to adventure, capturing in just a few miles what makes this region such a beloved escape.

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