How to Enjoy Devil's Lake State Park, Wisconsin
Easily one of the most beautiful of Wisconsin's State Parks, Devil's Lake is situated in the Wisconsin Dells area. The one-million-plus visitors to the park each year experience some of the best Wisconsin has to offer. Amidst the almost 10,000 acres of land, there are wonderful camping sites, hiking trails, rocky bluffs and one of the deepest lakes in the state. Enjoying all the nuances of the park can be a feat in itself, with more than 29 miles of hiking trails, incredible fishing and boating opportunities, and one of the foremost rock-climbing areas in the Midwest.
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Instructions
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Reserve your campsite. There are three campgrounds available inside the park, each with its own special features. The 480-plus campsites fill quickly, so reservations are recommended to guarantee a space, especially during the summer months.
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Drive to Devil's Lake State Park. Located outside of Baraboo Wisconsin, the park is easily accessible from the interstate highway. Be sure to make a note of the sights available in Baraboo as well. A rainy day is well-spent visiting the world renowned Circus World Museum or any of the charming shops scattered throughout the town.
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Hike the trails. No matter what your skill level, hiking is incredible at Devil's Lake. Most trails will circle the lake, and taking one of those that heads up onto the bluff is well worth the exertion needed to get there. Panoramic vistas abound and showcase the natural rock formations scattered on the cliffs. Rock climbers can be seen scaling the surface of the bluff. Less-strenuous trails circle the lower vistas of the lake, and while most of the trails are unpaved, the "Tumbled Rocks" trail is covered with asphalt and winds through boulders on the west side of the lake.
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Boat on Devil's Lake. Small boats are allowed on Devil's Lake with electric trolling motors only. Canoes, kayaks and wind surfers can be seen scooting across the lake on most weekends. Fishing is also great for DNR-stocked brown trout and walleye, not to mention small- and large-mouth bass, bluegills, perch and northern pike. Wisconsin fishing licenses are required and can be purchased either in Baraboo or at one small stores located outside of the park.
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Explore the natural surroundings. Devil's Lake State Park is one of the most-studied ecosystems in Wisconsin, but there is still much to learn and explore. The Effigy mounds, for example, date to 1100 A.D. Natural Bridge State Park, only 11 miles away, encompasses 530 acres of natural rock formations that date back 12,000 years. Parfrey's Glen, located only four miles from Devil's Lake, was the first designated natural area in Wisconsin and contains many rare plants and an unusual ecosystem. Temperatures can vary more than 20 degrees from the entrance to the park to the end of the upper trail and the mountain-like waterfall.
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Tips & Warnings
Reservations can be made by phone (1-888-WI-PARKS) or via the internet.
