A stop along the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, Devil’s Lake State Park is a great getaway for those interested in geology. The 9,000-acre park northwest of Madison showcases some incredible rock features, including the monumental quartzite bluffs surrounding the expansive lake. Devil’s Lake State Park’s nature center provides a comprehensive overview of the park’s landscape and history to orient visitors before they hit the nearly 30 miles of hiking trails. The nature center also offers a number of programs for those interested in the area’s wildlife, including bird-watching and star-gazing excursions.
Devil’s Lake State Park’s 29 miles of marked hiking trails lead visitors to stunning vistas, through lush meadows and across glacial moraines. The park’s most popular trail, the mile-long Tumbled Rocks Trail, follows the edge of Devil’s lake along the west bluff. (This trail, along with the 0.7-mile Grottoes Trail along the east bluff, are both accessible to visitors in wheelchairs and those with strollers.) For a more challenging hike, the short-but-steep Balanced Rock Trail will lead to spectacular views. Or, try the park’s newest trail, the 1.8-mile Ronzo’s Meadow Trail, which leads across grassy flatlands to the glacial moraine.
There are no paved bike paths within Devil’s Lake State Park, but several of the hiking paths are open to bikers (with hikers having the right of way). The Upland Loop Trail is the park’s primary bike route, meandering 3.8 miles through forests and grassy meadows, with some views of the Wisconsin River. Bikers are also welcome to traverse the western and northern sections of the Steinke Basin Loop, a level trail that connects to the Upland Loop. (Note that biking is sometimes prohibited even on bike-friendly trails due to weather conditions.)
Devil’s Lake State Park has more than 420 campsites spread across three designated campgrounds. Each site can accommodate up to six people. Every campsite comes equipped with a picnic table, a metal fire ring, and a paved or graveled area for parking.
The Ice Age Campground is great for those looking for a more backcountry experience, as it only offers non-electric campsites. Located about a mile from the lake, this campground is divided into two sections: the lower section is partly open, with some room to accommodate recreational vehicles, while the upper section is heavily forested. The Quartzite Campground, with both electric and non-electric sites, is best for RV campers. Built on a former golf course, this camping area near the nature center has plenty of space for large vehicles, not to mention a playground. The Northern Lights Campground, about half a mile from the lakeshore, is the oldest camping area in the park. It is the only campground to offer wooded electric sites, and it also has a small playground. There are also nine group campsites for larger gatherings.
The Quartzite Campground is open year-round, while the Northern Lights and Ice Age campgrounds generally close between October and April.
Both the Quartzite and Northern Lights campgrounds offer accessible campsites for visitors with disabilities. All camping areas feature showers, flush toilets and running water that’s safe to drink. The Quartzite and Northern Lights campgrounds also have fill/dump stations, while the Ice Age Campground has two concession stores selling firewood, food and drink, and other camping items. The stores are open all summer, and some weekends in the spring and fall.
All campsites can be reserved online in advance. Camping fees will apply.
Devil’s Lake State Park is an excellent destination for those who love water sports. The park has two boat landings, both of which are free to use. Boats with gas-powered motors are not allowed on Devil’s Lake, although electric motors are welcome. Canoes and kayaks – including a kayak designed for people with disabilities – can be rented from the park’s concession areas, and are available on a first come, first served basis. Life preservers must be worn by all boaters.
Devil’s Lake is teeming with walleye, northern pike, panfish, bass and brown trout. Fishing is allowed both on the shore and from boats, although anglers 16 and up must have a fishing license. Loaner fishing equipment is available for free on a first come, first served basis at the park’s office.
Devil’s Lake features two beaches, one at either end. Each beach has a bathhouse. Neither beach is guarded, so visitors should exercise caution when swimming. The lake is also a popular scuba diving destination, though divers are required to use diving flags and are advised against diving alone.
Visitors will find large picnic areas, complete with tables and grills, on the north and south shores of Devil’s Lake. There is a concession stand near the south shore picnic area where you can pick up any food or drink items you may have forgotten. The park’s campgrounds also have picnic areas.
Devil’s Lake State Park is also home to a number of shelters, some of which can be reserved for special events. Some shelters have electricity and restrooms, while others simply provide shade on a sunny day or shelter when it’s raining.
Be aware that you are expected to take all trash with you to dispose of outside the park.
While Devil’s Lake State Park’s trails are not maintained in the winter months, they remain open to visitors looking to cross-country ski, snowshoe and winter hike. Skiers and showshoers are welcome to go anywhere in the park; snowshoes are available to rent on a first come, first served basis from the nature center, which is open on most Saturdays during the off season.
Ice fishing is another popular winter activity in Devil’s Lake State Park, with brown trout and northern pike being common catches. However, exercise caution as the park does not monitor ice thickness. If you’re interested in ice fishing, consider waiting until later in the season, when the ice has had plenty of time to form.
Other winter activities in Devil’s Lake State Park include dog sledding and orienteering courses, as well as winter camping at the Quartzite Campground.
Devil’s Lake State Park shines during the shoulder seasons. Early spring and late fall yield plenty of wildlife watching opportunities, and you’ll have fewer park visitors to contend with. Winter is also a great time to visit if you don’t like the crowds, but bear in mind that you’ll be roughing it, as many park facilities remain closed during this time. If the main draw for you is watersports, plan a summertime visit to Devil’s Lake State Park. To avoid the crowds, try to visit on a weekday.
Devil’s Lake State Park is open every day from 6am to 11pm, all year round.
You will need a vehicle sticker to enter Copper Falls State Park. Single-day vehicle stickers cost $13 with a Wisconsin license ($3 for residents ages 65 and up), and $16 for out-of-state vehicles. Annual vehicle stickers, which are valid for the calendar year, cost $28 with a Wisconsin license ($13 for residents ages 65 and up), and $38 for out-of-state vehicles. Vehicle stickers can be purchased online or at the park entrance.
Because Devil’s Lake State Park is part of the Ice Age National Reserve, holders of the National Park Annual Pass can visit for free (though camping fees will still apply).
Devil’s Lake State Park is about an hour’s drive northwest of Madison along Route 12, and a little over an hour on 1-90. The closest town is Baraboo, Wisconsin, which can be found about 3.5 miles north of the park.
The primary entrance to Devil’s Lake State Park is the north shore entrance, accessed from County Highway DL. Many of the park’s amenities, including the park office, the visitor center and the nature center, can all be easily accessed from the north shore entrance. However, visitors can also enter and exit from the south shore entrance, accessible from South Lake Road. The south entrance leads to one of the park’s two beaches, a picnic area and the group campground.
Flush toilets and drinking fountains can be found in all campgrounds and picnic areas, although they may not be available during the winter months. The Red Oak, White Birch and Tamarack shelters have flush toilets, as well. The campgrounds also include pit toilets.
There are three concession stands located within the park: one near the north shore beach, one in the Ice Age Campground and one near the south shore beach. The stands sell food and drinks, firewood and other camping and recreational supplies. The concession stands are open every day during the summer, and select weekends during the spring and fall. Canoes and kayaks are available to rent on a first come, first served basis from the concession stands
The park’s visitor center, office and nature center are open every day during the summer, and some weekends during the winter and shoulder seasons. Fishing equipment is available to rent free of charge from the park office, while snowshoes are available at the nature center on select Saturdays in the winter. The nature center also hosts a variety of educational programs and activities during the summer months.
Pets are welcome in many areas of Devil’s Lake State Park, including campgrounds and on the trails. While pets are not allowed on the beaches, there is an on-leash swim area near the north shore boat launch, and an off-leash swim area near the south shore boat launch. There is also a pet-friendly picnic area on the north shore near the East Bluff Trailhead. Shelters and park buildings (such as the nature center and park office) are off limits to pets.
Pets must be kept on a leash no longer than eight feet, and should never be left unaccompanied.
Fires are only permitted in designated areas in the campgrounds, and in the grills found at the north and south shore picnic areas and the Tamarack Shelter. Natural wood can be gathered for fires as long as it’s already dead and on the ground. Otherwise, firewood can be purchased from the park’s concession stands. Due to the potential for firewood to carry pests and diseases that could harm the park’s forests, you are not allowed to bring firewood obtained outside the park.
