Devil’s Lake State Park is one of the top state parks in Wisconsin. Just south of Baraboo via Highways 113 or 136 in Sauk County, Devil’s Lake State Park opened in 1911 and remains one of its most-visited. Why? Because this place is a geologic wonder filled with natural beauty and plenty of experiences.
The Park offers a large network of hiking trails, a beautiful lake, paddling and kayaking, picnicking areas, lakeshore beaches, and a Nature Center with a concession stand.
The Park is open 6am to 11pm
Devil’s Lake Trails
Numerous trails, built largely by CCC workers in the 1930s and early 1940s, allow you to traverse all sides around the lake itself, which is roughly one mile long and half a mile wide and covers 360 acres. In total, Devil’s Lake State Park offers about 30 miles of trails. Some, such as the West Bluff and East Bluff Trails, take you high above the water and require some occasionally steep climbs. Your reward? Some gorgeous views of the lake, loess, moraines, and hills that give this park a feel of the Pacific Northwest instead of the Midwest.
Winter hikes, while a little more challenging and potentially slippery on some trails, offer beautiful views when snow covers the area. Snowshoes are available at the Nature Center that you can borrow for free.
Devil’s Lake Rock Climbing
You’re looking for a top rock climbing spot in Wisconsin, it’s Devil’s Lake State Park. Blessed with a variety of formations along trails, often with spectacular Mountain West-style views, you can find numerous places for your climb. There’s even a site specializing in it, called the Devil’s Lake Climbing Guide.
One of the top spots – literally – in the Park is “Devil’s Doorway,” an impressive rock formation you can access via a 2-mile trail that includes a climb of around 500 feet. Perched atop these rocks, you can see for miles and miles and get that Instagram-worthy photo. Balanced Rock is one of the milestones along this hike. The trail, called the Devil’s Doorway Loop is well-marked and – considering the climb – relatively easy to traverse from the west but some narrow and jagged steps on the east side may prove challenging.
Devil’s Lake State Park’s Nature Center offers a 3-D birds’ eye view of the park to help orient you and plan hikes On display are live reptile and amphibian terrariums as well as lots of displays on the park’s wildlife and geology that educate you on the formation of everything you’ll see in the Park. The extensive historic photograph collection housed in the center’s lower level. The Kids’ Exploration Room offers puzzles, mystery boxes, fun games and activities. Programs are available too, year ’round.
Devil’s Lake State Park Map
Devil’s Lake State Park is a complex place so a detailed map comes in very handy. Click on the map image to download a larger copy!
You can plan a weekend in Devil’s Lake State Park, or a brief stop for a hike while on a road trip. It’s a great stop in Sauk County and a wonderful way to examine the geography of Wisconsin’s Driftless Region. Entrances can be found at the south end of Highway 136, off County DL, and just west of Highway 113 on its ride between Baraboo and Merrimac.
Devil’s Lake State Park Address:
S5975 Park Road (just off County DL and Highways 113 and 136)
Baraboo, WI 53913
(608) 356-8301 x140
Website from the WI DNR
Back to StateTrunkTour.com
