The Upper Midwest is home to thousands of picturesque trails that represent the scenic and varied landscapes of the region. Devil’s Lake State Park in Baraboo, Wisconsin is a top hiking destination to enjoy the cooling temperatures and changing fall colors. Home to 29 miles of hiking trails of rolling to rugged terrain, Devil’s Lake is a feast for the senses. It’s a must visit for a hike in any season!
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Devil’s Lake | History and Geology
The geologic history of Devil’s Lake State Park is fascinating. The stunning quartzite bluffs are part of the Baraboo Range, thought to have formed over 1.6 billion years ago. The bluffs that surround Devil’s Lake today were constructed from layers of sand deposited by rivers that moved through the Baraboo Valley. Sediment deposited by rivers millions of years ago was compacted over time, compressed by great heat and pressure. It is now dense layers of quartzite, (metamorphic rock) that we observe in the form of scenic, stately bluffs that surround Devil’s Lake. Along the base of these bluffs is a talus slope of large quartzite boulders known as Baraboo quartzite.
Baraboo Quartzite | Buckingham Fountain, Chicago, IL
**FUN FACT: Did you know? The crushed stone that surrounds Buckingham Fountain in downtown Chicago is Baraboo quartzite.
Devil’s Lake | Hiking
Devil’s Lake State Park is home to over 29 miles of hiking trails of varying lengths and terrain. From a short paved trail to a strenuous climb, there are numerous options to suit your hiking preference. For a full list of hiking options at Devil’s Lake, be sure to visit the Wisconsin DNR’s Devil’s Lake website.
I’ll highlight three of my favorite trails here:
Tumbled Rocks Trail: This one mile trail is accessible for people with disabilities, making it a nice option for those with small children or those with mobility issues. Along the western shoreline and talus slope of the west bluff of Devil’s Lake, the Tumbled Rocks Trail is the least strenuous of all trails at the park. It is one of the most scenic, in my opinion!
The East Bluff and West Bluff trails are gorgeous treks at higher elevation. Both are challenging trails, but very scenic, and absolutely worth the effort!
East Bluff Trail: Among the most challenging trails in the park is the East Bluff Trail, following the East Bluff of Devil’s Lake. This 1.7 mile trail has an abundance of stone steps, ups and downs, and scenic views of the lake.
West Bluff Trail: The most difficult trail at Devil’s Lake is the West Bluff Trail, a 1.4 mile hike with stone steps, ups and downs, and challenging terrain. The views alone are worth every challenging step!
Devil’s Lake State Park | Trail Information
You can find detailed information on Tumbled Rocks Trail, East Bluff Trail, and West Bluff Trail on the AllTrails website and AllTrails app. For detailed trail maps on the go, the All Trails app has been my go to for the past few years.
- 500K+ trails
- 90M+ members
- 1.8B+ miles logged
- 2.9B+ kilometers logged
- 14 languages supported
Sign up for a Free 7-day trial HERE.
Winter Hiking Layers
Winter is a beautiful time to hike in Wisconsin! As we journey through the coldest months of the year, be sure you’re dressed in layers for the comfort on the trail. Explore Jackets & Layers Up to 70% Off at Steep & Cheap’s Gone Outside Sale.
Hiking Packs
For a well-fitting, sustainably made pack for a hike of any length, Osprey packs are my go to. If you’re anything like me, you travel light! My go to pack for day hikes is Osprey’s Talon 11. The Talon 11 has an adjustable hip-belt, two water bottle compartments, and a mesh front pocket with plenty of room for an extra layer and snacks for the trail.
Osprey’s Sportlite 20 is a great option for day hikes. For something a bit larger, Osprey’s Hikelite Daypack includes padded hipbelt pockets and plenty of storage space.
Check out Osprey’s Packfinder to find the pack that will best fit your frame and activity.
Ice Age National Scenic Trail
Devil’s Lake State Park is located along the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, a 1200-mile recreational trail traveling through the state of Wisconsin. The Devil’s Lake segment of the Ice Age Trail passes through the park. Collectively, this segment is a 13.7 loop around Devil’s Lake that includes portions of the following trails within the park:
Devil’s Lake State Park | Directions
You can enter Devil’s Lake State Park from the North or South shore. Access the main entrance and Visitor’s Center on the North shore on Highway DL at S5975 State Park Road, Baraboo, WI, 53913. The South shore entrance is located on South Lake Road. Both entrances feature picnic areas, shelters, and beach areas.
Devil’s Lake State Park | Information and Hours
Hours: Devil’s Lake State Park is open from 6am – 11pm daily, 365 days a year. Summer and fall are the busiest seasons in the park. Multiple parking lots are located near the main entrance and Visitor’s Center. These lots fill quickly and are sometimes full by mid-morning. Be sure to arrive early for a good spot!
Park Fees: Wisconsin residents: Vehicle passes are $28 for a 12-month pass, or $13 for a daily pass. Non-Wisconsin residents: Vehicle passes are $50 for a 12-month pass, or $16 for a daily pass. Self-service kiosks are available to purchase vehicle admission passes, or online through the Wisconsin State Park System.
Devil’s Lake State Park | Visitor Center
Visitor Center: Be sure to check out the Devil’s Lake Visitor Center, located at the North entrance. You’ll find t-shirts and sweatshirts, patches, postcards, mugs, snacks, and other Devil’s Lake themed gifts. Visitor Center hours are as follows:
- Monday – Thursday 8am-6pm
- Friday – Sunday 8am-6pm
Adventure in the Madison Area
If you’re interested in exploring a great bike trail in the Madison, WI area, read more in my blog post, Madison Wisconsin’s Scenic Lake Monona Loop | Bike the Midwest’s Most Bike-Friendly City!
Explore Madison Wisconsin’s Scenic Lake Monona Loop | Bike the Badger State
Enjoy your hike(s) at this beautiful Wisconsin State Park!
-Erin
