It has been decades since we've been to DL so while back in Wisconsin visiting family we decided to make a weekday trip for some hiking. I forgot that there are some decent short but steep hikes up to the surrounding bluffs. We walked the 6 miles around the lake taking in the major rock formations. Given it was the week after July 4th there were a fair number of people so we would never want to come on a summer weekend since it would be crazy busy. I was disappointed by the amount of trashed plastic bottles strewn all along the trails... a real shame. read more

This is probably my favorite state park on the planet, and I've been to quite a few in many, many states. Devil's Lake boasts a lot: a beautiful lake with non-motor boating opportunities, swimming galore, amazing views, rocky bluffs to hike and explore, great campgrounds, superb trails like the Potholes trail and going to see Devil's Doorway, and a sense of being locked away from the busy world. I've been here innumerable times since I was a kid and even back then this park had a shine to it that most other places did not. It sort of evokes that mythical charm of what a state park could and should be; it's like what you'd imagine if you were dreaming of a state park and used your imagination along with bits from movies and books to conjure it up. There's also the added draw of having attractions outside the park like Baraboo and the Wisconsin Dells a short drive off and even the obligatory bar nearby. So you can pop out every once in a while and enjoy those amenities. But, really, you wouldn't need all of that distraction because Devil's Lake is where it's at. There's such a great history here, going all the way back to when it was a resort in the early part of the 20th Century (from what I recall). Devil's Lake is the bomb! Just thinking about it is making me want to camp there again soon. read more

This park is a Wisconsin gem. The hiking trails range from flat to vertical and the sights are beautiful. On a nice summer day, this place offers something for everyone -- families, individuals, couples, young, old. Have fun! read more

Devil's Lake State Park - Devil's Doorway rock formation -- advanced hike - Parks Near Me - Baraboo, Wisconsin

The trails are cool, lots of scenic stuff to check out. They wind along the cliff, with vistas popping out here and there. There are 2 beaches here and boat rentals. You can hike, camp, rock climb, scuba dive, snorkel, fish, mountain bike, and more. The rock climbing is great, you have the only place in Wisconsin with over a hundred places you can climb at the park. You can either top rope or traditional climb the routes. Please be mindful of the climbers and not touch their gear though, it is a bit unnerving when people step on your ropes or hardware holding your rope above you, so you don't fall. The park is a great place for a picnic, there are plenty of grills, picnic tables, grass, and sand to keep you going for your food and more. Getting to the park is well marked, if you are driving. read more

What a fabulous state park! I was longing for nature and hiking and pretty views and I got it all at Devil's Lake State Park. In fact, this will now be my go-to-destination whenever I have the urge to escape the city flatness and crowds. We spent two half-days here over the weekend, first tackling the North Shore portion of the park, specifically the West Bluff and Balanced Rock trails. WB starts you off with a pretty steep climb. The payoff is in view after view of the gorgeous lake. There are plenty of spots to take a rest and the entire trail is about 3 miles. When finished you can go back or opt to walk the Balanced Rock trail which is pretty flat and follows the lake. Tons of beautiful purple, quartize rocks as well. We finished the day by doing a leg of the Sauk Trail which was really just a walk through the woods and nothing special--the only trail I'd likely not do again. The next day, we started off with the vaunted Balanced Rock trail. The guide says it's only four-tenths of a mile but that it averages 45-minutes. Well, it only took us 30 minutes, including tons of stops for pictures and catching our breath, but this part of the trail is not for the weak of heart. Two days later and I can still feel it in my quads! This is by far the best trail in the park as it connects to the East Bluff Trail and follows the lake. Beautiful! We opted to take the CCC trail down. Um, yikes! At times it felt like we were scaling the open mountains. It soon passed but there's a reason we saw multiple rapelers and hikers on their way up with heavy packs. I've heard this can get super crowded in the summer months and I believe it. Me, I prefer to get outdoors when the rest of the population isn't there. I hope to return one more time in 2009 and then head back in March or whenever there isn't snow. One final point: the mud from the rain last week did not factor in here as many of the trails are on stone/natural rock steps. I expected to ruin some jeans/shoes and I didn't! read more

Beautiful grounds. Some sites are quite a bit more desireable than others, so do your research before requesting a site. We didn't get to experience the activities at the lakes or hiking trails due to a tornado, but it looked nice as we were driving past. When the rangers were driving around making announcements about the tornados to the campers, my friend was standing in the road waiting for them. They drove right past her without stopping, so one star off for that. read more

What a great place. Truly a gem. Must experience. Fantastic hiking and swimming. You must book early to camp here. Devils doorway. Balanced rock. And the best is the rock jump into the lake. Very refreshing. Love this place. Best memories with my kids. read more

Devil's Lake State Park - You did it!!! - Parks Near Me - Baraboo, Wisconsin

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Holy Rocks! This place has rocks just about everywhere you go, needless to say, be prepared to hike and have those sneakers on. For my first experience, I did not do too much of the forested trails but took a hike around the lake which involved a lot of stepping around rocks. The lake itself is rather pretty but I was not in "awe" lol Many people were grilling out and on the beach. Due to the high foot traffic, it was difficult for me to enjoy the trails and not feel like someone was always one step behind me. I would LOVE to go back this fall and check out the beautiful scenery!! Also, parking was hard to find even though I paid $10 "lots full". They also have an icecream stand! read more

Devil's Lake State Park - Parks Near Me - Baraboo, Wisconsin

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The park is beautiful... just stunning. It's amazing for hiking, climbing, swimming, cycling and swimming. It's not hard to see why this is considered one of the most beautiful parks in Wisconsin. Rangers are great, the place is well-cared for and it's all-around awesome. Unfortunately, camping has suffered year-by-year. We reserved the last site available on a busy late June Saturday and arrived to find a site with no flat ground to pitch our tent. Quiet time supposedly starts at 10:30 or 11, but the two sites on one side of us basically fought each other with music for hours. I woke up at 3am to Pink Floyd still playing from our nearest neighbor's site. Facilities and clean sites are awesome, and they kept this a 3-star review, but what happened to simple ranger enforcement? I don't expect this to improve with recent defunding of the state parks. Go for the day. Try to find a more secluded site if you're camping. Bring earplugs. read more

Oh my gosh. If you are anywhere near this GO! I know it costs to get in but it's completely worth it. We went early in the morning and the trails were really quiet by the time we're leaving it was packed, so that's something to keep in mind. Beautiful beautiful views. I hope to go again this fall. read more

Devil's Lake State Park - Family friendly - Parks Near Me - Baraboo, Wisconsin

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Hands down my favorite Park in Wisconsin. I could hike their trails over and over again, never tiring of their beauty! South shore is my favorite entrance. Great place for a picnic. The water is pebbly on that side so entering and exiting the water is tricky. The nature center is sweet and your kids can check out explorer packs with activities and GPS's in them for geocaching. Pretty neat stuff! We have also camped there and the facilities are so clean! Watch out for the raccoons though, they walked right up to our picnic table and stole an entire bag of food and ran into the woods with it. We had to forage to find our pudgie pie supplies in the woods with lanterns after they scattered. read more

My absolute favorite place in the whole world! Stunning views, amazing hiking trails and very peaceful! Also great for rock climbers! Climbed a couple boulders there myself! So much fun! read more

My husband and I call this"our" place. We live nearby. If you voted for Walker, keep out. He's done everything he could to privatize this gem and every other State Park of Wisconsin. Rib Mountain to Granite Peak. Andreas to Kohler. Pennisula State Park, the list goes on. If you'd like to buy a Wisconsin State Park, please see Walker's head of the Department of Natural Resources, real estate developer, Ms. Stepp. read more

This is a really beautiful and clean lake within short driving distance of Chicago and Milwaukee. We had a great time hanging out at the swimming beaches. No weeds, algae or trash to be found. For a Sunday in August, the place wasn't crowded. The camp site was just OK. Our site was lacking any level ground to pitch our tent, save for the area directly next to the fire pit. Navigating down a hill to the bathrooms in the middle of the night was a little precarious. Overall we had a good visit. Since we aren't hikers/climbers, I don't think there's enough here to spend a whole weekend, but we'll certainly return for a day trip. read more

Perfection . Many hiking trails, beautiful trees, cliffs, and nearby adventures in Baraboo area. Camping and live entertainment calendar. read more

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Devils lake is one our family's favorite state parks. If it wasn't everybody else's favorite as well we would visit it more. Located near the Dells in Wisconsin it is a huge summer destination spot. A lake for swimming, kayaking, fishing and boating as well as numerous hiking trails and interesting sites to hike to. We have also seen many rock climbers here. Really neat to see. The park has camping and the campgrounds are well managed by camp hosts and the park staff. I will forewarn you That camping spots are hard to come by during busy peak season so prepare ahead of time! My favorite part of Devils lake is being so close to other beautiful land preserves and natural areas. Natural bridge state park, parfreys glen and man mound park are short drives from here. read more

Devil's Lake State Park - Parks Near Me - Baraboo, Wisconsin

This is a gorgeous state park. Many years ago I did my long hike here as I was earning the Hiking merit badge on my way to Eagle Scout. I have visited this park many times in the years since. A beautiful lake for boating, albeit a little cool for swimming. If you are a birder, you will go nuts at the avian population here. If you are a botanist, you will love the plant and tree populations. This is no park for the timid, as the trails are challenging and fairly steep. But after a rigorous climb one is rewarded with fantastic views. This park and the Crane Foundation are two wonderful reasons to visit the Baraboo area. read more

Devil's Lake State Park - Balance Rock from above...gasp, wheeze - Parks Near Me - Baraboo, Wisconsin

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I hadn't been here since high school. With my foreign manfriend in tow, I thought it would be a great place to show off the beauty of my home state. And I wasn't wrong! It's even prettier than I remember. The beach is so big (was it always?), the water clean and cool, and the paths just fun to walk along. The snackbar wasn't overpriced and the fee to get in (if you're not a yearly WI State Parks member - which I'm not) in incredibly reasonable. Such a perfect place for a picnic and an afternoon getaway! read more

It's like the little brother to Devil's Lake. I wouldn't say it's one of the best parks I've been too, but it's worth a trip out here at least once. Mostly, this is a park for the geologically-inclined. The main draw, of course, is the natural bridge rock formation, created by the glaciers. It's neat to see but I wouldn't recommend going too far out of your way for it. If you're within an hour or so, go for it but don't make a special trip. The trails here are a little limited compared to most parks I've been to, but you could still kill a decent chunk of a day walking them if you wanted. read more

Beautiful state park with trails for all availability levels (including one along the shoreline that's wheelchair accessible!) It's been a destination spot for day-hikers, campers, swimmers, kayakers/canoers, divers, and rock climbers since I moved to this part of Wisconsin almost two decades ago, and is still one of my favorite summer destinations. I even got married on the South Shore in 2005, and the park officials were lovely to work with in coordinating that as well! Camping spots are at a premium in the summer, so plan for that. It's also super-close to a number of other smaller natural spaces that can be just as beautiful, and are worth checking out -- Parfrey's Glen, Pewitt's Nest, Baxter's Hollow, and more. read more

This place is really cool and probably offers some of the best scenery in the state of Wisconsin. I've been here about four times now - today was the first time I extensively hiked Devil's Lake. My one complaint - it gets really crowded on the weekends. That's not the park's fault - it just kind of makes it a little difficult to feel like you've escaped the hustle and bustle of the city. The visitors are generally pretty friendly and respectful. I've talked to quite a few people and they seemed to be pretty nice. Watch out for rattlesnakes though - this is one of the few places in Wisconsin that is home to the Timber Rattler. There are also a lot of snakes hiding in the boulders, so stick to the main trails. I almost stepped on once because I started climbing up boulders that were not on a marked trail. I guess - depending on your relationship with snakes, you could view it as either a good thing or a bad thing. I don't like snakes so when I saw one slithering across my path, I yelped (no pun intended) a little! Have fun! This place is absolutely beautiful! read more

We went hiking today. It was a beautiful walk. My only suggestion would be to have more maps around. We were also here earlier this summer to swim with our family and had a very good time. The water is very nice for swimming. read more

I camped here for the first time with friends who had been coming since childhood. Once you pull in though the trees and the park envelops you, it's easy to see why they kept coming back. We did the "car-camping" thing, had a good site near the bathrooms and showers. We also risked our lives climbing the eastern bluff, which was first boulders and then turned into sheer rock faces. A tough climb, but worth it since at the top you get an awesome view, and the realization that the path down isn't nearly as treacherous. There is also a camp store, complete with a dance hall, and a awesome sandy beach on both the North and South shores of the lake. We went in the off season, so the park wasn't really hopping with people, and it was cold and rainy. Doesn't matter, I'd still come back next year. Just this time with a foam mattress pad and knowledge that drinking too much at a campsite isn't much difference drinking too much anywhere else. read more

Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous!!! An amazing state park! Lots of awesome hiking and swimming here. Be sure to check out the nature center for a little history lesson too!! read more

Absolutely gorgeous!!!! Great place to go hiking. Some of the more popular trails can get kind of crowded, but all of the trails I have been on are equally but differently beautiful, so it's totally worth it to check out some of the longer (flatter) trails as well as the rock scrambling ones. One minor complaint: We were kind of surprised that there weren't trashcans at the trail heads near the parking long. Maybe it's because we visited late in the season, but if you're carrying a bag full of dog poop for miles and miles, it's definitely a concern :) read more

Hiked here easily with the West and East Bluff trails with my parents who are in shape and ready to get moving. The views are really beautiful and easily marked. Recommend going in the morning if you go on a weekend as the trails get very business late summer/early fall. Enjoy one of Wisconsin's little park treasures. read more

Great for hiking, and a geologist's dream. The hiking area is not cleared very well however so you definitely want to come with long pants. read more

Devil's Lake State Park - Parks Near Me - Baraboo, Wisconsin

The trip to the park took about an hour from where we live. The park itself is small without much to it but that was expected based on reviews I had read prior. The hike to the formation was relatively short but the trail maps along the hike were lacking "you are here" pins so it took some thought to stay on course. Unfortunately there was another group ahead of us that was pretty loud which cut into the experience of the hike a bit. The natural bridge is beautiful and unique for Wisconsin though the summer vegetation covered some of it up. I think it would be a really cool visit in fall or winter when some of the vegetation dies off. There were other trails in the park but those proved uninteresting. Overall I would say it is worth the visit of you are in the area but might not be something to plan a full day around. read more

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My husband and I spent a day here in late July and loved it. We did three hikes and then spent some down time at the beach on the south shore. I almost gave five stars but I held one back because there were some downsides for me. They also lacked trashcans on the south shore. I can't account for the north shore. We weren't there long and I didn't notice. That may seem like a little thing but there was trash everywhere and I immediately noticed there weren't any trashcans. We finally saw two by the rental area/store. There is a lot of beach and picnic area here, which is a PLUS, but they absolutely need to add more trashcans for peoples convenience. There will always be people that won't use the trashcan even when it's right next to them but I feel you have a better chance if there is at least one there. Our first trail was Parfrey's Glen. It's a short drive away from Devil's Lake. There is not good signage for it so be on the look out! This was a great hike. Paved at the beginning then becomes gravel and dirt. You follow a creek back to a canyon with a sign of the areas history. Once you get to the canyon area you are rock hopping in the now very wide creek. Some areas you can see the main path that people have made but some areas you are just trying to get through the best you can. Then you come to some boulders that you have to climb to get to the waterfall. This will not be the easiest of tasks for some people. You can really see the layers in the cliffs in this area. There are rocks that look like they will fall at anytime but are very much attached in the sand/dirt from hundreds and thousands of years ago. Beautiful hike and would love to do this again to see how it changes over time. Our second trail was Tumbled Rocks. We parked on the South Shore side and hiked to the north side. I loved this trail. It was unlike any hike I've done before. You wind through the boulders along the edge of Devil's Lake. It's part shade and part sun. It's paved so you aren't climbing the boulders, though some ventured off into the boulders. Even though it's paved it is not wheelchair or stroller friendly. It's just too narrow and winding in places. We saw some jumping into the water off the rocks towards the north end. We didn't attempt this. We waded in the water at the beach on the North Shore before we headed back. Our third trail was the West Bluffs. As the third trail of the day I may have underestimated the difficulty of this trail. Or they didn't label it accurately. It says the north end climb is more gradual and thus should be easier. It was very difficult for me. I am glad that I did it but at a couple areas I wasn't sure I was going to finish. I almost turned around. It's pretty much an incline all the way up both sides to a point. Then you work your way straight back down. It was not an easy climb down the south end either. It was rough on the ankles and shins. Stunning views make it worth it! The point is a rescue area if it's needed! The end to our day was at the South Shore beach. It was quiet, clear water, natural sand and dog friendly. Loved it here. Next time I'd like to rent kayaks or canoes. read more

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LOVE LOVE LOVE this place. My family just recently visited the beach at Devils Lake and could not be more in love with it. The view was so breathtaking! It was absolutely beautiful. Perfect place for the whole family! The beach was clean and the water was clear. We visited on 2 weekdays, so there was no crazy crowds, although there was alot of people, there was plenty of space to accommodate. They offered tons of picnic tables and grills. There was also an outdoor consession stand and a cute little store for all your needs. The prices were very fair, not like other places that rip you off. We purchased floats while we were there and were excited that they had a compressor outside to blow them up for you. They also offered rentals on kayaks, paddle boards, etc....which we tried out....AWESOME! All in all it was the perfect time for all ages and We WILL be back...just wish it was closer read more

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It's hard not to like Devil's Lake. About the only negative I could even consider is how BUSY it is - especially the first weekend its nice or weekends in general. As a hiker, I really appreciate solitude and its hard to really take a moment to relax with someone catching up to you(or you catching up to someone else) and having to change your pace. The bluff lake path is quite hard to go around people or visa-versa - which is why I prefer less peak times. There is a brilliant side path that is not around the lake(can't remember the exact name) but it is far less busy and my go-to when the Lake itself is too crowded. The views of the lake are breathtaking and one of the best places to snap photos in southern Wisconsin. read more

Devil's Lake State Park - Spring at Devil's Lake - Parks Near Me - Baraboo, Wisconsin

Fantastic! Beautiful place, wonderful hiking, and very nice staff! Can't wait to go back!

My wife and I visited Devil's Lake State Park for a day of hiking. We like to spend at least a day or two hiking in state or national parks on our vacations, and Devil's Lake is a strong contender for being our favorite so far. The trails are laid out nicely and have a great combination of physical activity mixed with scenic views (you get a beautiful view of the lake and surrounding area from the neighboring cliffs). I would highly recommend anyone visiting the area spend some time at Devil's Lake for some hiking. While we didn't spend any time in the lake itself, it looked like everyone there swimming, boating, and fishing were having a blast. read more

My 5 1/2 and I hiked past balancing rock only to find it on our way back down. This is by far the quickest, coolest way to the top of a mountain you can imagine. If your knees can handle it get after it! read more

I've been hiking here since I was thirteen and have camped here a few times, too. There really is no better way to experience the blindingly gorgeous colors of a Wisconsin fall than to hike around the lake on the high trail. Crisp, clean air, challenging but safe paths, friendly fellow hikers, plenty of rock climbing if that's your thing, and two parks with picnic areas, beaches, kayak and canoe rentals, etc. I fell in love here... and even if you don't, you'll definitely fall in love with this park. =) read more

Still a favorite I've had the opportunity to come here on and off over the last 40 years and still find it peaceful (even with the crowds) and amazing scenery. One of the best parks in Wisconsin read more

Motorcyclists need to stop here for a 3 mile hike that will change your life (or at least your opinion on the Midwest). I usually take the scenic routes from Chicago to The Driftless region near LaCrosse for great twisties to ride on. This time I took the highway to Madison and rode 33 into the driftless. In between I hiked here. A quick survey of the park website indicated parking at the East end of the South Shore visitors lot and hiking the East Bluff trail up to Devil's Doorway and East Bluff Woods trail back down would be the most rewarding 3 hour hike. I took 5 to take in the sights. The views from the bluffs were breathtaking. The trail was pretty crowded on a Saturday afternoon but thinned further up the trail. I went late afternoon which not only provided incredible sunsets but the trail cleared out those who feared not getting out before dark. I'll be back to explore the rest of the park but this was a great place to start! Oh, and all you cagers (people in cars) can bring your dogs! read more

Devil's Lake State Park - Devil's Doorway - Parks Near Me - Baraboo, Wisconsin

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Such a fantastic and well cared for state park. the hiking here is fantastic. Even on a spring weekday the trails were crowded so I imagine it gets crazy in the summer, but everything is maintained beautifully. read more

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Beautiful park. Great place to visit. Much to do. Camping, fishing, hiking, etc....Well worth the Year Park sticker

Devil's Lake affords what is probably the best hiking views in all of Wisconsin (and perhaps all of the Midwest). Some of the trails can really give you a run for your money--they're steep in a "Let's overwork your glutes"-kind of way. But they are completely worth it, because the view from the top is STUNNING. People look like ants, trees look like toys, and there is nothing but your good graces protecting you from a long and messy tumble down the rocky cliffs. :) It's all very exhilarating. I wouldn't recommend those particular trails to anyone who isn't in semi-good shape, because it is a real long way up and back. The nice part is that there are low-altitude, level trails that go all around the lake--and they're still pretty. The lake has some kind of bacteria in it that can make you itchy, but I've gone swimming and survived. It's great for cooking out and having a few beers after a long hike, too. AND it's only about an hour away from Madison, which makes it one of the greatest weekend escapes. read more