Devils Hole Gorge: “The Place of the Evil Spirit” and an Unforgettable Hike
Devils Hole: Where Niagara’s Shadows Speak
Just north of the roar and romance of Niagara Falls lies a different kind of wonder — Devils Hole. Here’s what you should know before you descend.
Image from a 1901 tour guide.
Why is it called Devils Hole ?
Long before it was part of a state park, the Seneca people called this place Dei’ondiogo’—“the place of the evil spirit.”
They believed a powerful being was trapped in a cave within the gorge. When the river carved out the land and opened the cave, the spirit was released.
French explorers wrote of voices in the dark and men who emerged white-haired with fear. Even today, locals whisper about the feeling you get near that cave—like something is watching.
⚔️ What happened in the 1763 massacre?
On a quiet September day in 1763, British soldiers and settlers hauling supplies along the cliff edge were ambushed by Seneca warriors. The trail gave way to screams as wagons, horses, and men were pushed over the side. The river ran red.
When British reinforcements arrived, they too were trapped—nearly 100 people died. A small stream at the base of the gorge was later called Bloody Run.
It was a warning: this land had been taken, and the people who had lived here for centuries would not give it up without a fight.
🪨 Who built the steps down?
In the 1930s, stone steps were laid into the side of the gorge—over 400 of them—by park workers or possibly New Deal-era laborers. They built them by hand, one heavy slab at a time, following a path that had been used for centuries.
Those steps remain today. Cracked. Moss-covered. Worn by time, storm, and footfall.
🕯️ Are there still accidents?
Yes. The beauty is real—but so is the danger.
People have fallen to their deaths from the cliffs. Some slipped on the steep stairs. Others underestimated the power of the river, its pull stronger than it seems.
Each year, emergency crews respond to tragedies that could have been prevented. The ghosts here aren’t all ancient.
⚠️ Hike With Care:
Don’t get close to the edge. The rock is loose. The drop is final.
The stairs are steep and long—410 steps down, 410 steps back.
Wear boots. The trail is uneven and often wet.
Watch your kids. This is not a playground.
Bring water and tell someone where you’re going. There’s no cell signal at the bottom.
🕳️ What’s it like at the bottom?
It’s quiet.
The trees close in. The river roars, but everything else is still. You feel the weight of time here. You see the dark mouth of the cave—half-hidden in the cliffside—and maybe, just for a second, you understand why people feared it. Why they still do.
Devils Hole isn’t just a hike. It’s a place of memory. A place that demands respect.
