At Ozark National Scenic Riverways, you can walk down a stairwell to a mysterious underground lake called Devil’s Well.

Details

Hours: Sunrise to Sunset

Admission: Free

What to See: Devil’s Well is a huge sinkhole, or “karst window,” that looks down into an underground lake. The water is about 100 feet below the viewing platform.

Good to Know: A light is available near the stairway to illuminate Devil’s Well, but it’s a good idea to bring a flashlight.

Restrooms: Located at the trailhead.

Second Trailhead: The 4.6-mile Cave Spring Trail begins at Devil’s Well and leads to Cave Spring on the Current River. The hike is moderately strenuous.

Drive: From St. Louis, take Interstate 44 southwest and exit at 195. Head south on Missouri Highway 8, then turn right onto Highway 68.

Continue south, then turn right onto Highway 19, and again onto Highway KK. After 2.4 miles, turn left onto Devil’s Well Road, which is marked by a sign. At the intersection, keep right to reach Devil’s Well.

The road ends at the site.

Road Conditions: The road can be rough, so a high-clearance vehicle is best. It’s also not a good idea to bring trailers or large motorhomes down this road.

My Driving Tip: I drove my SUV to Devil’s Well, and it handled the road fine. Just take it slow and watch for rough spots.

Address: Devil’s Well Rd, Salem, MO 65560

Overview

To reach Devil’s Well, you take a short walk from the trailhead parking area to a set of steel stairs that go down to a viewing platform above the lake.

The metal stairs can get slippery, and if the waterfall is flowing, you might feel some drops as you go down.

About Devil’s Well

This unusual “karst window” offers a peek into the earth’s underground water system.

Devil’s Well formed when the roof of a huge cavern with an underground lake collapsed, creating a large sinkhole with an opening at the bottom that lets you see the lake.

The lake far below may be up to 80 feet deep. The water level can change by 8 to 10 feet depending on the weather.

A spiral staircase lets you get a good view of the lake.

There’s no admission fee, and the area is open every day during daylight hours.

You can turn on a light with a switch in the stairway, but you might want to bring your own flashlight or spotlight just in case.

Short Hike to Devil’s

I walked past a gate and headed to the well.

Along the way, I saw a sign on the right for the Cave Spring Trail, which is a much longer hike than the short walk to Devil’s Well.

This 4.6-mile trail goes from Devil’s Well to Cave Spring on the Current River. Scientists have traced water from Devil’s Well to the outlet at Cave Spring.pring.

Above the well, you can learn more about how Devil’s Well formed from the signs along the trail.

Then I went to the stairwell, which you use to walk down to the lake below.

Because it had rained recently, a waterfall had formed and was flowing quickly down into the hole next to the metal staircase. The stairs pass under a rock overhang.

Looking Down At Devil’s Well

I found the light switch near the stairwell and turned it on to get a better view. Looking through the grate, I could see the lake below. It’s hard to see clearly, but you definitely get the feeling you’re above something deep. The area feels a bit dark and spooky.

Then I looked back up to see the water flowing down.

With the waterfall and the lake below, the place felt almost otherworldly.

Then I headed back up.

Final Thoughts

Even though the road is rough, the trip is worth it—especially after it rains, when the waterfall drops into the deep lake. It was a really cool experience to be down in this hole, looking far below at an underground lake, especially through the metal grate, which is all that is stopping you from falling below.