Calling all outdoor enthusiasts, nature lovers, aspiring geologists, and recreational hikers of all levels – Wisconsin has a remarkable state park you must visit and experience for yourself at least once in your lifetime. Often heralded as the most beautiful and well-recognized state park in the badger state, Devil’s Lake State Park is known for its pristine natural beauty, wild and rugged terrain, clear water, and grand sweeping views. It’s the crown jewel as far as Wisconsin’s state park system is concerned. This park features dramatic views of the Baraboo Range and impressive quartzite rock formations including 500-foot quartzite bluffs that overlook the clear blue waters of the 360-acre, spring fed Devil’s Lake below. Notable landmarks are Balancing Rock and the 30-foot-tall Devil’s Staircase.
Devil’s Lake was created over 15,000 years ago when the Wisconsin Glacier blocked both sides of the Wisconsin River Gorge. It’s a site of fascinating geological history and significance you have to see to believe. It is also the largest state park in Wisconsin and said to attract over one million visitors each year.
There are many ways to enjoy Devil’s Lake including swimming, kayaking, birdwatching, picnicking and even rock climbing. The two in-park activities we recommend above the rest are hiking and camping. The information we share in this post is excellent for first-time visitors to Devil’s Lake who want to see and experience the most beautiful things this park has to offer.
Let’s Start With the Basics
Entrance Fee
A vehicle admission sticker is required to enter the park. You can purchase both daily and annual passes when you arrive at the park main entrance, or you can purchase an annual sticker in advance online at https://yourpassnow.com/ParkPass/wi. The sticker is valid for one calendar year and will gain you entrance to every state park in Wisconsin.
Where is Devil’s Lake?
Located in the town of Baraboo in Sauk County in south-central Wisconsin. It is approximately a 25-minute drive from Wisconsin Dells, a 1-hour drive from downtown Madison, 1 hour and 50-minute drive from downtown Milwaukee and a 3 hour drive from Chicago. Here is the address for one of the main entrance gates of the park by the North Shore part of the lake (which we think is best for swimming).
If you are traveling to the park from the south or from the east, consider arriving via the Merrimac Ferry. This is a very short cable ferry ride (7 minutes) across Lake Wisconsin (or a dammed-up part of the Wisconsin River). The ferry carries vehicles, pedestrians, and bikes. It generally operates April to November, and it is FREE. Here is a map of the Merrimac Ferry.
Hiking
Devil’s Lake State Park is a hiking mecca. Within the park proper, you’ll find part of the Scenic National Ice Age Trail running through it. A 10.9-mile segment to be exact. This is our favorite hike at the park. It is very challenging but equally rewarding. This hike will take you through several different landscapes including forests filled with sugar maples, oaks, and hickory trees. You’ll also hike through and along prairies and some grasslands. The trail will also lead you past the famous balancing rock and along the breathtaking pink and grey colored bluffs mostly on the East side of the park. It is a well-marked and well-traveled trail – just look for and follow the yellow blaze signs to stay on the Ice Age Trail.
The most popular trail at Devil’s Lake is the 1-mile Tumbled Rocks Trail which serves up sweeping lake views along the entire trail. But you’ll find the popular rock formations Balanced Rock and Devil’s Doorway on the Eastern Bluff.
The short, 0.4-mile Balanced Rock Trail is challenging mostly because it is steep and crosses an exposed talus field.
It also connects to the East Bluff Trail which will lead you to the iconic Devil’s Doorway. These trails can get extremely congested especially on summer weekends so be prepared to have to stop and wait for fellow hikers to pass by when you are on your climb down.
Near the park boundary in the east, you’ll find Parfrey’s Glen – the first natural area in the state of Wisconsin. This is a lovely hike in a gorge filled with more quartzite and some sandstone boulders and leads to a waterfall. The 0.7-mile out and back trial to the gorge is easy. Unfortunately, if you’d like to hike this area with your trusted canine companion, it won’t be possible as dogs are not allowed in Parfrey’s Glen.
Outside of Devil’s Lake State Park, about a 10-mile drive west of Baraboo but still in Sauk County you’ll find Natural Bridge State Park. The highlights of this park include Wisconsin’s largest natural arch and a rock shelter that is said to have been used by native peoples when the glaciers of the last Ice Age were melting nearly 11,000 years ago. There’s a 1.3-mile loop trail that will easily lead you to the arch and rock shelter. Catch the trailhead off Country Road C. The amenities at Natural Bridge Sate Park are primitive which affords hikers the opportunity to focus on the surrounding natural beauty of the park. Like Parfrey’s Glen, canine companions are not permitted on this trail.
Camping
There are about 400 campsites within the state park spread across three different campgrounds:
- The Quartzite Campground – best for large RVs
- The Northern Lights Campground – have the best wooded site options
- The Ice Age Campground – only tent-camping is available here (there are no electric sites on this campground)
We’ve camped in the Ice Age Campground with a tent and in the Northern Lights Campground with our camper. Our site at the Northern Lights campground was near to a bathroom facility and it honestly wasn’t the best one we’ve stayed at. The ground was very uneven, and we had to drive to a local Wal-Mart to pick up an extra leveling jack and wheel chocks to help stabilize things. We had no way of knowing this would be the case until we arrived and surveyed the spot firsthand. Be sure to look at the site photos available to you and make the best decision you can. In the end, we were happy to be able to camp in the park during the busiest weekend of the year (fourth of July weekend) and luckily our camper didn’t topple over!
There is also a group campsite within the park. Reservations are required in advance for all campsites. If you plan to camp here during the summer especially on the Fourth of July weekend, be sure to reserve your campsite at least 11 months in advance. We have camped here over the fourth of July weekend two years in a row and booked our site in August the year prior (11 months in advance). Learn more about camping at Devil’s Lake State Park and make a reservation here.
Other Things to Do Around Devil’s Lake
Drinking & Dining
You’ll find no shortage of breweries and wineries around the area. One of the closest to the park – located a few minutes from the park’s north entrance – is Tumbled Rock Brewery & Kitchen. They offer both indoor and outdoor seating and have live music most days of the week. In the warm months musicians perform from the outdoor stage next to an outdoor bar. You’ll find a fun atmosphere here but due to its proximity to the state park this spot can get very jammed, and we don’t believe they take reservations it is all first-come, first-served.
Visit a Lavender Field
An incredibly unique experience awaits you in Baraboo – a chance to wander among wild lavender fields made up of over 16,000 lavender plants!New Life Lavender & Chery Farm sits on 40-acres and offers farm to table wagon tours and u-pick lavender during peak season. The farm shop on-site is a must-visit. You will find all sorts of lavender infused products here and they have a commercial kitchen which serves up delicious treats like homemade lavender ice cream, cupcakes, and lavender cherry pie.
The best time to visit to see this fragrant flower is from June to mid-July. We visited New Life Lavender & Cherry Farm the first weekend in July when they had their annual lavender festival which ensured we got to experience our first lavender field in full bloom. We recommend you visit earlier in the day to avoid the crowds as much as possible. This farm is not open year-round. Be sure to check their website for current hours of operation.
Head to the Circus World Museum
Bet you didn’t know that the former headquarters of the Ringling Brothers circus was in Wisconsin! A designated Wisconsin Historical Society site, you can still visit it today and dive into the fascinating history of the American circus which was started by the Ringling Brothers who were natives to Baraboo. Open in the spring/summer, this museum complex, located on the banks of the Baraboo River, is BIG. It includes tons of historic buildings like the once operational camel house. You’ll also find more than 250 circus wagons and can catch a live, hour-long circus performance in a classic, big-top tent. For ticket and hours of operation information, visit their website at: https://circusworld.wisconsinhistory.org/.
Explore Downtown Baraboo
We found small town magic in Baraboo that keeps us coming back. Known as the “circus City of the Nation”, there’s so much to do in this peaceful town that once served as the backdrop to the Greatest Shows. Here are three of our top picks that delivered those sweet summertime thrills when we visited while camping at Devil’s Lake State Park in July:
Take a sundown stroll along Courthouse Square
The main downtown square. Baraboo is one of the few Wisconsin towns completely laid out around a central square which is modeled after the New England tradition.
Check out the Al Ringling Theater
Located at 136 Fourth Avenue, this theater is an opulent piece of work built in the 1900 to resemble a European palace. This theater still standing today is a one-third model of the great opera hall of Versailles.
Sip a locally sourced beer or wine
While not located in downtown Baraboo, the self-pour Draft City Taproom and Eatery is close by – a quick 14-minute drive int he Dells. We highly recommend you share an order of flatbread loaded with locally sourced mushrooms and truffle oil. Yum!
Other things to do in Baraboo
For more information on events and things to do in Baraboo check out the Baraboo Area Chamber of Commerce website.
Final Thoughts
Devil’s Lake State Park is a must-visit when you’re in Wisconsin. It has activities for all ages and hiking and camping are some of the best in the Midwest. The park is also located close to several enchanting places. This trip is sure to keep you busy from sunrise to sunset! We wish you happy trails and please remember to leave no trace when hiking and visiting Devil’s Lake State Park.
– Alyssa & Justin
Disclaimer: Parks and Planes is an informative resource for readers. Due to unforeseen conditions like National Park closures, policies, construction and other natural changes to the park and its trail, Parks and Planes, LLC does not assume liability for the accuracy of posts, trail conditions and directions. Parks and Planes strives to accurately describe and document details as experienced during the date and time of the visit. Please travel safely when hiking here and visiting recommended sites and places mentioned in this blog post. All photos, content and opinions are our own.
