No Devil's Den on Official Tour?Really??

[infomanpa]

How is it that the official brochure of Gettysburg National Military Park does not include Devil's Den in its self-guided tour? The AAA Tour Book has Devil's Den as a "gem" attraction, which means it's not to be missed.

There's more. The driving tour also does not take your car out to the actual Peach Orchard, even though they label one of their stops as the "The Peach Orchard."

Take a look below and see for yourself:

 

[Wallyfish]

Only assuming here, but I bet the limited parking in and around DD and the PO has something to do with it.

 

[infomanpa]

Sometimes, I wonder that since Devil's Den is more noted for it's topography as opposed to a military objective, that some would not consider it "tour-worthy?"

 

[Nathanb1]

Sometimes, I wonder that since Devil's Den is more noted for it's topography as opposed to a military objective, that some would not consider it "tour-worthy?"

Well, Texans seem to value it... but this is why I think people need an LBG or at the very least, the Battlefield App from Civil War Trust.

 

[infomanpa]

Only assuming here, but I bet the limited parking in and around DD and the PO has something to do with it.

You may be right. Although, I think it's a disservice to the casual tourist who depends on those maps to see the battlefield.

 

[John Winn]

When we visited last September I hired a LBG and, to my surprise, he did not stop at Devil's Den but went right past it and up to LRT. The day after our tour we went back out to the battlefield and visited the spots our tour did not hit including some time at Devil's Den (which has a somewhat special meaning to me). Not knowing the layout of the battlefield very well and having the guide drive our car it didn't dawn on me until the end of the tour that we weren't going to see Devil's Den. Somehow it didn't seem fruitful to ask why not; just went on our own the next day.

I do wonder why it doesn't get more note what with all those famous photos. Curious.

 

[JPK Huson 1863]

You know, that's such a huge shame! Easy enough to tie it in- around a thousand ways. Cannot remember who it was from the top of my head ( Battles and Leaders ), talked of having to battle his way through a herd of cattle, driven into the little valley there at Devil's Den, to get his horse left at the foot of the hill. Had not heard that one, poor animals getting shot, frightened and bellowing. Officer made it through the herd, little battered. Just for the sake of driving through there- easy enough for a segway, use one of those stories from the battle, which action was current, what day.

Still. Devil's Den? What a legendary spot to omit. How odd of them?

 

[Wallyfish]

The view of Devil's Den from LRT many times presents a perfect platform to describe the military actions that occurred at DD from LRT. So for many, they feel no actual visit to DD is necessary especially in light of the limited parking. So a DD drive by is all they do.

I have taken many people to Gettysburg and some people just get immersed in the DD rock formations and forget about the actual battle when they are in DD. Even myself when at DD, I tend to talk more about the "named" rocks of DD than what regiment did what. Those rock formations are so unique that they become the story and not the battle. People also tend to wonder around those rocks so herding up a tour group is tougher there not even mentioning the safety concerns of rock crawlers.

I always have Garry Adelman and Tim Smith's Devil's Den history and guide book with me on my visits. There is just too many interesting subjects at DD to pass up, even if I have to park far away.

 

[infomanpa]

People also tend to wonder around those rocks so herding up a tour group is tougher there not even mentioning the safety concerns of rock crawlers.

And lots of nasty poison ivy growing all over the place!

 

[FarawayFriend]

In 2013 we took the bus tour and there was also no stop at Devil's Den. When a visitor asked if we could stop there for a moment the guide laughed and said "No. We will just wave a hello". Then he leaned to the window as we just passed, waved his hand and said jokingly "Hello, Devil's Den!" which I found extremely annoying, regarding what happened there.
I thought then that probably there was not enough parking space available. Most interesting that it really seems to be no part of the official visitor's program!

 

[Podad]

I read one time that the place got its name from a large old rattlesnake that lived there. Maybe he survived the war and is still lurking about