State park is known for its 500-foot-high quartzite bluffs along the 360-acre Devil's Lake
General Information
Non-Resident Daily Vehicle Admission Sticker: $16
Wisconsin Resident Annual Sticker: $28
Non-Resident Annual Sticker: $50
Wisconsin Resident Senior Annual Sticker (65+): $13
Additional camping and shelter reservation fees apply
How to Get There
From Best Western Baraboo Inn (approximately 4 mi): Take WI-136 W and County Highway DL north toward Devil's Lake State Park, then follow Park Road to the North Shore entrance, visitor center, beaches, and trailheads.
Overview
Devil's Lake State Park is a state park located in the Baraboo Range in eastern Sauk County, just south of Baraboo, Wisconsin. It is around thirty-five miles northwest of Madison. The state park encompasses 9,217 acres (3,730 ha), making it the largest in Wisconsin. The state park is known for its 500-foot-high (150 m) quartzite bluffs along the 360-acre (150 ha) Devil's Lake, which was created by a glacier depositing terminal moraines that plugged the north and south ends of the gap in the bluffs during the last ice age approximately 12,000 years ago. The sand at the bottom of Devil's Lake is thought to be deposited by glaciers.
There are many quartzite rock formations, such as Balanced Rock and Devil's Doorway, throughout the park. Effigy mounds are also located throughout the park. The park contains approximately eleven miles of the 1,200-mile (1,900 km) Ice Age Trail. Its scenic beauty, along with its proximity to the Wisconsin Dells, has made it one of the most popular of Wisconsin's state parks for both day use and overnight camping; the park receives over three million visitors annually. During the fall, the park's brilliant foliage makes it a popular attraction. Parfrey's Glen, Wisconsin's first state natural area, is managed by the Devil's Lake State Park and located just east of the park.
Things to Do
Visit Wisconsin's Most Popular State Park
Devil's Lake State Park is Wisconsin's largest and most visited state park, attracting millions of visitors each year. Located near Baraboo, the park is famous for its 360-acre lake, towering quartzite bluffs, scenic overlooks, and extensive trail system. The park's dramatic landscape was shaped by glaciers and features some of the most striking scenery in the Midwest.
Enjoy Scenic Views from the Bluffs
The park's signature feature is its towering 500-foot quartzite bluffs that surround Devil's Lake. Several overlooks provide breathtaking panoramic views of the lake, forests, and surrounding hills. Popular viewpoints include Balanced Rock, Devil's Doorway, and East Bluff Lookout.
Relax at Devil's Lake
Visitors can enjoy swimming, kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, fishing, and picnicking along the lake's shoreline. Two sandy beaches provide excellent swimming opportunities during the summer months, while the calm waters make the lake ideal for paddling.
Experience World-Class Hiking and Rock Climbing
Devil's Lake is widely considered one of the premier hiking destinations in the Midwest. The park also offers some of the best traditional rock climbing in the United States, with hundreds of climbing routes located along the quartzite cliffs.
Observe Wildlife and Natural Beauty
The park's forests, prairies, wetlands, and cliffs support a wide variety of wildlife, including white-tailed deer, foxes, wild turkeys, bald eagles, hawks, and numerous songbird species. Spring wildflowers and spectacular fall foliage make the park a year-round destination for nature lovers and photographers.
Top Trails
East Bluff Trail
Length: Approximately 4 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: Moderate to Strenuous
Difficulty: Moderate
This iconic trail climbs to the top of the East Bluff and passes several of the park's most famous viewpoints, including Devil's Doorway. Hikers enjoy spectacular views of Devil's Lake and the surrounding Baraboo Hills.
West Bluff Trail
Length: Approximately 4.5 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: Moderate to Strenuous
Difficulty: Moderate
The West Bluff Trail follows the ridgeline above the lake and provides access to Balanced Rock and numerous overlooks. The route offers some of the best panoramic views in Wisconsin.
Balanced Rock Trail
Length: Approximately 1.5 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: Moderate
Difficulty: Moderate
This popular trail leads to the park's famous Balanced Rock formation, a large boulder perched dramatically on the edge of a cliff. It is one of the most photographed locations in the park.
Tumbled Rocks Trail
Length: Approximately 1.3 miles one way
Elevation Gain: Minimal
Difficulty: Easy
Following the shoreline of Devil's Lake, this family-friendly trail passes massive boulder fields that were deposited by ancient rockfalls. The route offers beautiful lake views and easy access to many of the park's major attractions.
Sources: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources official Devil's Lake State Park information, including details on Devil's Lake, hiking trails, rock climbing, beaches, camping, wildlife viewing, and recreational opportunities. https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/devilslake
Additional trail and visitor information verified through Wisconsin State Parks resources covering the East Bluff Trail, West Bluff Trail, Balanced Rock Trail, Tumbled Rocks Trail, scenic overlooks, and year-round recreational opportunities throughout the park.
The park has trails ranging from handicapped-accessible paved trails to difficult hiking or bouldering trails. There are 41 miles (66 km) of hiking trails in the park. The highest point is 500 feet (150 m) above Devil's Lake. There are also bike trails available. Devil's Lake State Park contains eight miles of off-road bike trails and a two-mile paved path that is available for people with disabilities.
The geology of the Baraboo Hills surrounding Devil's Lake makes it one of the premier rock climbing areas in the Midwest, with climbs of varying difficulty. The Baraboo Hills are primarily quartzite, which is solid enough to climb. Most outcroppings in the region, especially in the Driftless Area, are composed of sandstone or limestone, which are too brittle to climb safely.
The "East Bluff" refers to the Eastern outcroppings in the park, and includes many sub-areas for climbers, including "Doorway Mass" which are climbs surrounding the famous Devil's Doorway formation, "Balanced Rock Wall" near the famous Balanced rock, and an area off of the CCC trail known as the "East Ramparts" which is the most popular due to the high concentration of sheer, unbroken cliff faces to climb.
The west side of the park features climbing areas such as "Stettner Rocks", The Cleo Amphitheatre, and the "Lost Face". The Cleo Amphitheatre features the classic climb of a 25 ft freestanding spire known as "Cleopatra's Needle"
This article uses material from the Wikipedia article "Devil's Lake State Park (Wisconsin)", which is released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0
