Devil’s Orchard, Devil’s Staircase, Devil’s Bathtub and so many more. Here’s where to find some of America’s most devilish hikes!
I don’t know about you, but my family always finds a hike more exciting when it has an interesting name attached to it. We automatically want to know why it’s called such a unique name. One interesting name we run across often that we always find intriguing is landmarks and hiking trails referred to as Devil’s something or other. So I thought I would share some of the most “devilish” hikes found across America.
America’s Most Devilish Hikes
Check out this list of devilish hikes from all across America.
Devil’s Orchard in Idaho
Find the Devil’s Orchard Trail at Craters of the Moon National Monument in Idaho. This easy half-mile loop trail is located along a particularly eerie stretch of the dormant volcanic area known for its misshapen trees. A parasitic plant called Dwarf’s Mistletoe has distorted the trees to such an extent that a traveling minister once declared the area to be a “garden fit for the devil.” It’s been known as Devil’s Orchard ever since.
Devil’s Bathtub in Ohio
Along the Old Man’s Cave trails at Hocking Hills State Park in Ohio, you will find Devil’s Bathtub – a swirling vortex of water where the creek bottlenecks in a narrow, constricted area. Don’t be fooled by its rounded bathtub shape! Hikers are reminded to stay on the trails and out of the water here. The constricted water of Devil’s Bathtub swirls and cuts downward for several feet. Legends claim that the tub is so deep it goes all the way to Hades. In actuality, the water forced downward comes out further downstream. Either way, it would be practically impossible to pull yourself out of this “bathtub” if you were to fall in.
Devil’s Punch Bowl in Iowa
The Devil’s Punch Bowl trail can be found at Wildcat Den State Park in Iowa. This moderate hiking trail is a short section of the park’s 3.5-mile trail system. It leads you down deep into a bowl-shaped cavern with creeks that rage in early spring and during heavy rains. During those especially wet periods, seasonal waterfalls fill smaller bowl-like areas within the Devil’s Punch Bowl. The entire cavern has an otherworldly feel to it and features lots of nooks and crannies to explore. Other fun features of this park include historical buildings, a narrow nature-made alley called Fat Man’s Squeeze, and a cave.
Devil’s Punch Bowl in Indiana
Submitted by Jamie from Cornfields and High Heels
Devil’s Punch Bowl is located on Trail 1 at Shades State Park in Indiana. In the 1880s, the park was known as “Shades of Death” from the shadows caused by the forested area and gorges formed by glacial erosion. Students visiting the area, considered it a “rite of passage” to camp here and drink from the creek, calling it the “Devil’s Punch Bowl.” Several sets of stairs and boardwalks lead you to the 1.5-mile canyon trail that follows a creek bed downstream. The trails end at Silver Cascade Falls with stairs leading out of the canyon and scenic views from both Inspiration and Prospect Points.
Devil’s Head in North Carolina
The Devil’s Head rock formation is in Chimney Rock State Park in North Carolina. This popular state park offers spectacular views, fascinating rock formations, a variety of natural terrains, an educational kiddie trail, and even a waterfall. One of its many unique sights is Devil’s Head rock (which can be found towards the beginning of the Exclamation Point Trail. As you may have guessed, this distinctive rock is indeed shaped like a devil’s head.
Devil’s Honeycomb in Missouri
Submitted by Kay from Happy Trails Hiking
Devil’s Honeycomb Trail is part of Hughes Mountain Conservation Area in Washington County, Missouri . The area is known as “Devil’s Honeycomb” because of of the rhyolite rock columns that reminiscent of the columns at Devil’s Postpile in California. This rhyolite is formed when lava cools. This cooling happened in Missouri about 1.4 billion years ago. This is one of Missouri geologic wonders and is at the highest point of Hughes Mountain. You can find Devil’s Honeycomb Trail on Highway M in Washing County North of Potois, Missouri.
To see our hike, click here: Hiking Devil’s Honeycomb
Devil’s Staircase in Wisconsin
Submitted by Melissa from A Little Time and a Keyboard
Rolling up and down on a bluff above the Rock River in Janesville, Wisconsin rambles a portion of Wisconsin’s Ice Age National Scenic Trail known as the Devil’s Staircase. Quickly after embarking on the trail, we noted why this segment is heralded as Devil’s Staircase as we hiked up and down, up and down on a rocky trail. Much of the trail hugs a rock escarpment treating with a unique landscape and incredible views of rock formations. The trail also unfolds spectacular views of the Rock River below. We have hiked this trail twice and on both visits found the scenery enchanting and full of wildlife. While the hiking may be a little “devilish,” the challenge certainly rewards with fantastic scenery.
Devil’s Paint Box in Illinois
While hiking the 5-mile trail system in Illinois’ Matthiessen State Park, watch for the Devil’s Paint Box. The sandstone in this area is high in iron content creating red, orange or yellow groundwater. In turn, the groundwater stains the earth and rocks around it. Be forewarned. The reddish (devil-like) mud stains everything it touches. It can be h*ll trying to get those stains out of your clothes!
Devil’s Ice Box in Indiana
Submitted by Jamie from Cornfields and High Heels
The Devil’s Ice Box is located on Trail 3 in Turkey Run State Park, one of Indiana’s most scenic state parks! Cross the swinging pedestrian bridge to gain entrance to the trail and follow a rugged trail through gorges and creek beds to access the “ice box.” Devil’s Ice Box is named appropriately for its glacial rock enclosure, making it impossible for the sun to reach, and offers a chilly atmosphere on a warm day.
Devils Postpile in California
Devils Postpile National Monument in Callifornia is known for its 60-foot tall columnar basalt – a rare geological wonder. It is believed to have been formed nearly 100,000 years ago when a lake of cooling lava cracked. Later, glaciers pushed through the area revealing massive hexagonal columns. These mineral-rich formations look like columns (or posts) pushed upwards from the darkest underlayers of earth.
Devil’s Hall in Texas
Submitted by Amber from Wandering Wests
Devil’s Hall Trail in Guadalupe Mountains National Park is a 4 mile out and back trail starting from Pine Spring Campground. The trailhead is on the far side of the parking lot, opposite the restrooms, near the RV camping. The narrow slot with walls towering over 100ft, which feel like they rose from below, will let you know you’ve found Devil’s Hall. The ominously named slot canyon is a 200ft long “hallway” accessed via the hiker’s staircase which is an impressive limestone wall.
Devil’s Waterhole and Devil’s Backbone in Texas
Submitted by Umiko from Two Worlds Treasures
Don’t let the names scare you! Devil’s Waterhole Nature Trail is only an easy .2 mile while Devil’s Backbone Nature Trail is a moderate 1.2 miles. Both trails will take visitors to Devil’s Waterhole, an iconic swimming hole in Inks Lake State Park in Burnet, Texas. An excellent kayak/canoe destination as well. People like to swim or cliff jumping here, but do it at your own risk! No lifeguard on duty. According to local legend, Devil’s Waterhole got its name for the land’s previous owner who liked to curse – loudly – whenever his wagon got stuck crossing it. But, the water looks dark, too! So, who knows what lies beyond the legend.
Who Wants to Go On a Devilish Hike?
- Which of these trails would you like to hike?
- What other “devilish” hikes have you run across?
YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY THESE OTHER HIKING ADVENTURES:
- Hiking Lave Tubes in Idaho
- Find Hidden Falls in Grand Teton National Park
- Discover a Giant Sequoia in Michigan
- Hiking Through a West Michigan Super Bloom
- Family Bonding on the North Country Trail
- Hiking at Hocking Hills in Ohio
- Starved Rock Hiking Adventure
These all look fun, but I’d really love to check out the hike in North Carolina. That rock looks so interesting. I also want to get to Idaho, and I probably should make a trip to the one in Missouri. Thanks for all of the inspiration.
Glad I was able to add a few destinations to your travel wish list!
We had fun reading this list. We have also been to Devils Punchbowl in Colorado. It’s east of Aspen right on Hwy 82. You can see it right beside the road. We had to take pics when we went by!
Oooh! Another place to add to my travel wish list! Thanks for sharing that information.
I love the Devil’s Staircase in Janesville. The hike is moderate, as long as you have good knees and maybe a walking stick if you’re short. I usually do an out-and-back for a comfortable mile and a half hike, but when I’m feeling ambitious, I add the Devil’s Staircase segment to the Ice Age Trail segment that goes through the Robert O Cook Memorial Arboretum .
I’m a little obsessed with the Ice Age Trail lately. We are definitely heading to Wisconsin to hike a few segments next summer.
I’m all about the day hike so definitely pinning these devilish hikes for future reference. One of our family’s most memorable hike was Devil’s Bridge Trail in Sedona, AZ. Highly recommend…so beautiful and a little devilish to get to.
Devil’s Head looks fabulous. Like the other places too. Only visited the Texan ones so far. Great post.
Devil’s Head at Chimney Rock State Park in NC is a really cool sight to see in person. My sons thought that one was extra neat!