This Unique Rock Playground In Arkansas Will Delight Your Inner Explorer
By Carol Ann Carson|Published July 30, 2019
×
Carol Ann Carson
Author
Arkansas native, Carol Ann Carson, has written for OnlyInYourState for three years now. She resides in Western Arkansas' Mountain Frontier but calls NWA home as well. The graduate of University of Arkansas - Fort Smith, Carol Ann earned her B.A. in English and will soon be pursing her M.A. in Library Science. She loves exploring the trails around the Buffalo National River and has yet to find a waterfall that wasn't her favorite.
There are many sights to see in the Ozark National Forest but one place you may not have heard about is the Devil’s Playground. This bizarre area is filled with fissures and odd formations that will immediately turn you into an inspiring explorer. Let’s hit the rocks as we head to this unique playground.
Along the southern border of the Ozark National Forest you'll find an area filled with interesting rock formations
The forest is home to some pretty spectacular natural wonders from massive stone bridges to a sandstone castle. There's one more area filled with some rock solid excitement just north of Hector. For parking coordinates, use this map.
Address: Retta, AR 72843
The Devil's Playground may sound ominous but it's actually a delightfully odd place to explore.
If you've ever been to the Devil's Bathtub, Backbone, or Eyebrow, then you already know that the name is probably a misnomer. The playground is filled with cracks and open caves that feel otherworldly. It's unknown what caused the cracks or how long they've been apart of the area. One thing is for sure, you will certainly have a devilishly good time combing through the playground.
We would caution against bringing children to the area since none of these holes are marked in any way. Before heading out be sure to pack a flashlight, this is not an area you want to stumble around!
Advertisement
The open caves are the most exciting to venture through.
They nearly feel like a maze, though you won't need to fret about getting lost in one. You will see evidence of past residents in the playground such as stone fences and broken stone walls. In addition to letting your inner adventurer run wild, this area is also perfect for practicing boulder holds.
You can keep this rock adventure rolling for another day by heading to this recreation area.
Just a little bit further north is the Bayou Bluff Recreation Area. Primitive tent camping and rock shelters are available on a first come first serve basis. The area is close to the Illinois Bayou so it's easy to make a full weekend out of this trip. Spend a couple of hours exploring the Devil's Playground before returning for some swimming and fishing on the bayou. For more information about the rec area, visit this site.
As always, before you head to this area be sure to do your research! We highly recommend reading through Rick’s Hiking Blog and bringing your GPS.
Did you know about this bizarre area? Have you visited before? Share you experience in the comments below and feel free to share your pictures with us in our Facebook Group, Arkansas Nature Lovers. You should join for your chance to be featured and to discover why there’s nothing better than Arkansas’ stunning nature.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
