When the roof of this very large cavern collapsed, the result was a large sinkhole and the Devils Well. A "spiral staircase" has been built to let us view the water in the cavern below. What you can’t see is a lake that is larger than a football field measuring 100x400x100 feet deep! Be sure to check out the echoes by yelling into the well. The gravel road is fairly steep and a little rough, but easily passable by car. I would not recommend pulling a trailer or driving your motorhome here tho. Admission is free for Devils Well and the picnic and fishing area is open every day, all day.
The Devil's Well was first explored in 1952 (a dugout canoe was recovered from here in 1964) and was somewhat developed and shown by the Wallace family as a tourist attraction in the 1960's and early 1970's. There was a picnic area and gift shop here then.
The attached picture was taken by Michael Tatalovich, during the 1960’s when the Devil's Well was being explored and mapped by Ozark Spring Studies. It took 62 week end trips by divers, cavers and mappers to get the exploration work done.The water in the Devils Well is the same water that comes out of Cave Spring which is accessible from the current river.The spring is located in the back of the cave and is 140 feet deep. It is also very cold!
In 1974, the National Park Service bought the Devils Well.
TO CLAIM this cache, Email me with the answer to HOW MANY METAL STEPS ARE IN THE STAIRCASE when the stairs reopen
***** The Stairs are being repaired again. Don't go down them. It is a long drop to the bottom. Look around and mention something that I would recognize there. That should do it.
There is a light button on the left side of the stairs just short of the bottom of the steps.
This cache is located near Akers Ferry and the Current River. If you are in the area, this really is a neat place to visit and ponder.
Due to this being part of National Parks Service land, I made this a virtual cache.
Many thanks to Earl for proofing and supplying additional facts about the Well.
