Winslow, Arkansas is a tiny mountain town perched near the top of the Boston Mountains, the highest and most rugged corner of the Ozarks, on the old US-71 route south of Fayetteville. Once billed by the railroad as the “summit of the Ozarks,” it’s a place of cool air, long views, and winding scenic roads — and it’s the closest town to one of Arkansas’s most beloved state parks. Here’s your guide to visiting Winslow: what to see, a little history, and how to get there.
Winslow is small — a few hundred residents strung along the ridge at roughly 1,870 feet, one of the highest incorporated spots in the state. There isn’t much in the way of attractions in the town itself, but its setting and its role as a gateway to the surrounding mountains make it a worthwhile stop for anyone chasing Ozark scenery.
Things to do in and around Winslow
Devil’s Den State Park
The big draw near Winslow is Devil’s Den State Park, one of the best-preserved Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) parks in the country. From I-49, take Exit 45 (Winslow) and head west on Highway 74 for about seven miles down into the Lee Creek Valley, where the 2,200-acre park is tucked into the Boston Mountains and surrounded by the Ozark National Forest. The park was created in 1933 and built out over the following decade by CCC crews who laid the trails, dammed Lee Creek to form Lake Devil, and constructed the native stone-and-log cabins that still stand today; the whole park was designated a National Historic District in 1994.
Hiking: the signature trail is the Devil’s Den Trail, a roughly 1.5-mile loop that threads past sandstone crevices, rock shelters, and a seasonal waterfall — the park holds the largest sandstone crevice area in the country. The Yellow Rock Trail (about 3 miles round trip, an original 1930s CCC route) climbs to the Yellow Rock Overlook and its sweeping view over the Lee Creek Valley, and the long-distance Butterfield Hiking Trail makes a roughly 15-mile backpacking loop. Mountain bikers have the Fossil Flats trail, and there are horseback routes as well.
Know before you go: the park’s famous caves and crevices are the reason many people come — but the caves themselves have been closed to entry since 2010 to protect hibernating bats from white-nose syndrome. You can still hike among the crevices and rock formations on the trails; you just can’t go inside the gated caves. The seasonal waterfall along the Devil’s Den Trail only runs after rain, so time a visit for spring or a wet spell if the falls are your goal. The park has cabins, campsites, a seasonal swimming pool, and a seasonal cafe; check the park’s official page for current hours, cabin availability, and fees.
Ozark scenery and scenic drives
Winslow sits along the historic US-71 corridor over the Boston Mountains, a twisting old highway that predates the I-49 tunnel and rewards slow drivers with overlooks and hairpin curves. The high country around town turns brilliant in fall, and the back roads toward Devil’s Den and the Ozark National Forest are prime territory for a leisurely drive, a picnic, or a photo stop. This is rural mountain country, so fuel up and download directions before you head out — cell service is patchy in the hollows.
A quick history of Winslow
A stagecoach stop in its early days, the community got its first post office on December 11, 1876, under the name Summit Home. It was renamed Winslow on August 3, 1881, in honor of Edward F. Winslow, president of the Frisco (St. Louis–San Francisco) Railroad. The town’s fortunes rose with the railroad: the Winslow Tunnel, completed in 1882, was the first railroad tunnel in Arkansas, punched 1,693 feet through the steep Boston Mountains so trains could cross the divide. The Frisco then marketed Winslow — the “summit of the Ozarks” — as a cool-weather resort alongside Eureka Springs and Monte Ne, and for decades the town drew summer visitors escaping the lowland heat. Today it’s a quiet mountain community whose big neighbor is the state park down the hill.
Where to eat, drink, and stay
Winslow is tiny, so dining and lodging in town are very limited — but you’re only about 25–30 minutes south of Fayetteville and close to West Fork, and the region’s full range of restaurants, breweries, and hotels is a short drive down the mountain. For where to eat and drink, browse our sister sites NWA Food and NWA Brew, or dive into our full guides to Fayetteville and Springdale. If you want to stay in the mountains, Devil’s Den State Park’s historic cabins and campground are the classic choice — reserve well ahead, especially in fall.
Location & getting there
- Where: Southern Washington County, atop the Boston Mountains along old US-71, near I-49 Exit 45.
- County: Washington County.
- Nearby cities: about 25–30 minutes south of Fayetteville, just south of West Fork.
- Airport: roughly an hour from Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA).
- Main attraction: Devil’s Den State Park — from I-49 Exit 45, west on Highway 74 about seven miles into the Lee Creek Valley; caves closed to entry, but trails, cabins, and campground open (pool and cafe seasonal).
Get directions to Devil’s Den State Park »
Winslow FAQ
What is Winslow, Arkansas known for?
Winslow is a tiny town atop the Boston Mountains known for its high elevation, Ozark scenery, and its role as the gateway to Devil’s Den State Park. Historically, the railroad marketed it as the “summit of the Ozarks” and a cool-weather summer resort.
How do you get to Devil’s Den State Park from Winslow?
From I-49, take Exit 45 (Winslow) and head west on Highway 74 for about seven miles down into the Lee Creek Valley to reach Devil’s Den State Park. The park is a 2,200-acre CCC-built park surrounded by the Ozark National Forest.
Are the caves at Devil’s Den open?
No. The park’s caves and crevices have been closed to entry since 2010 to protect hibernating bats from white-nose syndrome. You can still hike among the sandstone crevices and rock formations on the trails, including the Devil’s Den Trail, but you cannot go inside the gated caves.
How far is Winslow from Fayetteville?
Winslow is about 25 to 30 minutes south of Fayetteville, just south of West Fork along the old US-71 route over the Boston Mountains. Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA) is roughly an hour away.
Explore more of Northwest Arkansas
Winslow is the high, quiet gateway to the southern Ozarks. Keep exploring with our guides to Fayetteville, Springdale, and the Northwest Arkansas outdoors, or head back to the WeKnowNWA home page to browse every town.