Devil's Den in Gettysburg reopens with better accessibility

Paul Kuehnel, York Daily Record
·1 min read

Devil's Den at the Gettysburg National Military Park has reopened after it closed in March for erosion repairs and replacement of stairs and walkways.

Soil had eroded from underneath a walkway, and staircases had been worn and weathered over time. Social trails − shortcuts created by tourists − had exacerbated erosion.

Learn more:Visiting Gettysburg? Here's what to know about the Little Round Top, Devil's Den closures

The new walking surfaces are a combination of natural stone and a mixture of concrete that blends into the natural surroundings. The stairs are even and predictable. An occasional rock surface is integrated into the new sidewalk. The walkways are smooth and even. From the top, a portion of the historical marker is wheelchair-accessible.

Photos:See Little Round Top and Devil's Den before they closed for restoration

A portion the rocky slope is still fenced off as vegetation is giving time to re-establish itself. The familiar cut though the rocks is still accessible to visitors after the restoration project.

New steps wind their way through the boulders of Devil's Den at the Gettysburg National Military Park on October 6, 2022. Before the construction, soil had eroded from underneath a walkway, and staircases had been worn and weathered over time. Social trails - shortcuts created by tourists - had exacerbated erosion.
New steps wind their way through the boulders of Devil's Den at the Gettysburg National Military Park on October 6, 2022. Before the construction, soil had eroded from underneath a walkway, and staircases had been worn and weathered over time. Social trails - shortcuts created by tourists - had exacerbated erosion.

Nearby, Little Round Top − the top tourist spot at the battlefield − closed in July for the same reasons and isn't expected to reopen for another 15 months.

One of the most famous parts of the battle occurred at Little Round Top, Christopher Gwinn, chief of interpretation and education, said in a video about the site. The Union and Confederate armies fought for 90 minutes on July 2, 1863, for control over the hill, resulting in more than 1,000 casualties. The Union ultimately secured the strategic position. Devil's Den also saw heavy fighting on the same day, according to the park service website.

A new sidewalk leads visitors though the boulders of Devil's Den at the Gettysburg National Military Park on October 6, 2022. The popular spot reopened recently after it had been closed since March.
A new sidewalk leads visitors though the boulders of Devil's Den at the Gettysburg National Military Park on October 6, 2022. The popular spot reopened recently after it had been closed since March.

This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Gettysburg's Devil's Den reopens after repairs and renovations