Devil’s Den in Elk County is a true hidden gem, with two amazing boulder cities with a treasury of narrow passages and caves to explore, plus a hidden oasis!
In Part 2 of this adventure, we are exploring the hidden gem boulder city of Devil’s Den. In Part 1, we investigated the remarkable oddity Umbrella Rock. Both are located in State Game Lands 44. We started at the Snowdrift Road Trailhead located at 41.37090, -78.69116. From Umbrella Rock, we proceeded north on the dirt road and descended a hill as it curved around a logged area. We turned left where the road splits at 41.38622, -78.71599. We followed the road for 0.6 miles then turned right on the trail into the woods at 41.38519, -78.72639.
The trail becomes rocky in spots and there are no blazes, but overall it is easy. We spied large rectangular boulders at 41.38899, -78.72810, and met the cool overhang with strangely carved natural formations. Passing under the overhang leads to a portal and long crevice between the gigantic boulders.
There are a number of crevices that branch off of the main passageway. What an amazing exploration!
After investigating the interior passageways, we emerged on the opposite end of the formation. More Boulders! There are so many intriguing formations to explore. We found a “house” with a small chamber inside, shown in the photo below.
There is a sloping side of the “Baby Devil’s Den” formation (more on that later) that gave us access to the top of the formation. The top consists of huge flat-ish rectangular slabs with fissures we could hop over. Some of the surface was bare rock, while other had scrubby bushes such as huckleberries. From the top, we assessed the lay of the land and spied more formations and caves to explore, like the one shown below.
Here is the interior of the boulder cave shown above. It is large enough for a small camp inside. What a find!
While exploring Baby Devil’s Den, we found a clear path in the snow heading northwest. It climbed through mountain laurel hedges, and the soil became thinner and the brush scrubbier as the trail led to a balds area. The balds were dotted with interesting potholes and several of the cliffs provided views over the wooded landscape.
Multiple paths wound through the brushy balds. We stayed on what appeared to be the most substantial trail curious as to where it would lead. The path descended along an outcropping of enormous two and three-story boulders. In light of this new boulder city, we dubbed the former on the other side of the balds “Baby Devil’s Den” and this greater one “Daddy Devil’s Den”.
We compassed the perimeter of this formation and found it to be a colossal jumble of boulders. After nearly completing a circuit of the formation, we found a path up into the interior. Navigating through the mountain laurel, we found a breathtakingly beautiful chamber we call “The Oasis”. The Oasis is essentially a room between two titanic boulders partially roofed by overhangs and rhododendron boughs. If felt like we stumbled upon a secret hideout! Or even like entering another world. The heart of The Oasis is at 41.39091, -78.73154.
The Oasis also has a side fissure and a small boulder cave with a tunnel to the upper portions of the formation. We explored the ledge of the boulder that forms one of the walls of the oasis, and discovered a courtyard-like arrangement of second story boulder caves.
We were completely thrilled with the fissures, caves, and jumbled formations to explore. After delighting in Daddy Devil’s Den and its secret passages, we returned up over the balds the way we came. We turned aside to check out one of the side trails at the base of the balds at 41.38990, -78.72908. This trail led down the mammoth boulders that constitute the balds. This area was also bestrewn with amazing crevices and caves. We dubbed one large crevice that curves through the interior of the formation “The Passage,” located at 41.39025, -78.72913.
The Passage leads back up to the balds and with some climbing appears to give access to a pinnacle of the rock jumble. However, because of the snow and ice, we are saving exploration of the top of the jumble for another day. With great joy and thankfulness for a truly amazing adventure, we returned to the State Game Lands road took it back the way we came to the Snowdrift Road trailhead.
On the markup above, the trails we took are given in light orange. The gray trails are paths from other trailheads.
The distance from the trailhead to Baby Devil’s Den is 3.1 miles one way.
Daddy Devil’s Den is another 0.3 miles from Baby Devil’s Den
Of course, the actual distance is longer with all the exploring and climbing through the boulder cities.
Parking is at 41.37090, -78.69116.
Baby Devil’s Den is at 41.38899, -78.72810
The Oasis at Daddy Devil’s Den is at 41.39088, -78.73152
The Passage is at 41.39025, -78.72913
We’ve visited many rock formations and boulder cities in Pennsylvania. Without a doubt Daddy Devil’s Den and Baby Devil’s Den are on our top ten list. We were amazed by the quantity and quality of passages and boulder caves, as well as the scenic balds. Most of the way is easy state game land roads. This is an excellent adventure for families; you will just want to watch the kids on the more rugged rocks. Bundling this with adventure with Umbrella Rock, it is an unqualified must-do.
Be sure to check out our other adventures.
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