Devil's Lake State Park

State: Wisconsin. Type: state park in Sauk County, just south of Baraboo, about 35 miles northwest of Madison. Established 1911. 9,217 acres, the largest state park in Wisconsin. Features 500-foot quartzite bluffs around 360-acre Devil's Lake. Wisconsin's most-visited state park, with 2,384,606 visitors recorded in 2024.

Devil's Lake State Park is Wisconsin's largest and most-visited state park, centered on a 360-acre lake ringed by 500-foot quartzite bluffs in Sauk County, just south of Baraboo. The lake formed when glaciers deposited terminal moraines roughly 12,000 years ago, damming an ancient river gorge and leaving behind one of the state's most dramatic landscapes, including formations like Balanced Rock and Devil's Doorway. Established in 1911, the park had already been a popular resort destination in the early 1900s before its transition into a state-managed natural area, and Civilian Conservation Corps crews built many of its enduring trails and structures between 1934 and 1941. Today the park draws hikers, rock climbers, cyclists and campers, with about eleven miles of the long-distance Ice Age Trail passing through its grounds, and its combination of geological drama and proximity to Madison and the Wisconsin Dells makes it one of the state's signature outdoor destinations.

Devil's Lake State Park is located in Sauk County, Wisconsin, immediately south of the city of Baraboo and about 35 miles northwest of Madison.

The park sits in south-central Wisconsin's humid continental climate zone, with cold, snowy winters and warm, humid summers; specific temperature averages for the immediate park area were not independently verified in this research, so check current Wisconsin DNR or National Weather Service data before travel.

Late spring through fall is the most popular window, when hiking, climbing and swimming are all viable and the CCC-built trail network is fully accessible; fall is also noted for foliage on the bluffs. Winter visits are possible for those interested in snow-season hiking, but trail conditions vary and should be checked in advance.

Devil's Lake formed roughly 12,000 years ago when glacial ice deposited terminal moraines that dammed an ancient river gorge, leaving the 360-acre lake ringed by 500-foot quartzite bluffs. The area was a popular resort destination in the early 1900s before Wisconsin established it as a state park in 1911. Between 1934 and 1941, Civilian Conservation Corps crews built much of the trail and structural infrastructure still in use today. The park now includes roughly eleven miles of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail and has grown into the most visited unit in the Wisconsin State Park System, drawing well over two million visitors in 2024 alone.

The park offers 29 miles of hiking trails, including popular routes up the East and West Bluffs for panoramic lake views, rock climbing on the quartzite bluffs, four miles of off-road biking trails, and swimming at designated lake beaches. Camping is available at four campgrounds totaling 407 sites, and roughly eleven miles of the Ice Age Trail pass through the park for long-distance hikers.

Notable natural features include Balanced Rock, Devil's Doorway, and the East and West Bluffs overlooking Devil's Lake itself; the CCC-era trails and structures built in the 1930s remain a key part of the park's infrastructure and historic character.

The park is reached by car via state highways from Baraboo, about 35 miles northwest of Madison; Dane County Regional Airport in Madison is the nearest airport with regular commercial service.

Wisconsin state parks generally operate daily year-round with seasonal variation in specific facility hours; exact current gate or office hours for Devil's Lake were not confirmed on a directly fetched DNR page in this research (the DNR website could not be reached), so confirm current hours via the Wisconsin DNR before visiting.

A Wisconsin state park vehicle admission sticker is required for all motor vehicles entering the property, including campgrounds. Per aggregated search of DNR-linked sources, Wisconsin resident daily passes and annual stickers, and separate non-resident rates, apply, with camping charged separately by campground, site type and season (search results cited approximate base camping rates of $28/night for non-electric and $53/night for electric sites, plus reservation and change fees). The America the Beautiful federal pass is accepted for vehicle entry since the park connects to the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. Confirm exact current prices directly on the Wisconsin DNR website before visiting, since a direct fetch of the DNR page was not possible in this research.

A day trip is enough to hike one or two of the main bluff trails and visit the lake; a multi-day camping stay allows time to explore the full 29-mile trail network, climb, and enjoy the beaches at a slower pace.

The park's own four campgrounds (407 sites total) are the primary on-site lodging option; the nearby city of Baraboo and the Wisconsin Dells resort area, both a short drive away, offer a wide range of hotels, motels and vacation rentals for visitors who prefer not to camp.

Baraboo, just north of the park, and the Wisconsin Dells area offer a broad range of restaurants and casual dining; the park itself is primarily a natural area without a significant on-site restaurant scene, so most visitors eat in one of these nearby towns.

The city of Baraboo, home to the Circus World Museum, sits just north of the park, and the Wisconsin Dells, a major resort and water-park destination, is a short drive away, making the two a common pairing with a Devil's Lake visit.

Dane County Regional Airport in Madison is the nearest airport with regular commercial service, about 35 miles away; a personal or rental vehicle is the practical way to reach and get around the park, since it has no on-site public transit.

Rock climbing on the quartzite bluffs should only be attempted with proper equipment and experience or a guide, and hikers should stay on marked trails near bluff edges given the steep drop-offs. Swimming is only advised at designated beach areas. For any emergency, dial 911.

Sturdy hiking shoes are essential for the bluff trails, along with water, sun protection and a map of the trail network; climbers should bring their own gear or book with a guide service, and campers should check current campground amenities before arrival.

Book campsites well in advance, especially for summer weekends, since Devil's Lake is Wisconsin's most-visited state park. A vehicle admission sticker or daily pass is required for entry, so plan to purchase one before or upon arrival. Pairing a visit with Baraboo or the Wisconsin Dells is a popular way to extend a day trip into a longer visit.

Dial 911 for any emergency. Specific current DNR park-office contact details were not confirmed via direct fetch in this research; check the Wisconsin DNR's Devil's Lake State Park page for current phone contacts.

Wisconsin DNR - Devil's Lake State Park - https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/devilslake

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.