Wisconsin State Park System
Devil's Lake State Park

Park Info

Welcome

2011 is the centennial year for Devil’s Lake State Park! Founded in 1911, Devil's Lake is the third oldest state park in Wisconsin, the largest, and the most visited. Devil's Lake offers magnificent views from 500-foot quartzite bluffs overlooking a 360-acre lake. Enjoy lakeshore picnic areas, sandy swimming beaches, 29 miles of hiking trails, or ease into the backcountry solitude. Devil's Lake is a beautiful year-round park with an intriguing natural history along the 1,000-mile Ice Age National Scenic Trail.

• Camping
• Activities and Recreation
• Reservable Shelters
• Trail Descriptions
• Park History
• Devil's Lake Photo Contest

Directions

Devil's Lake State Park is in south central Wisconsin about 3 miles south of Baraboo. From the south or east on Interstate Highway 90/94, take State Highway 33 west about 15 miles to Baraboo. Turn left (south) on State Highway 123 and go 3 miles to the park. From the northwest on I-90/94, go right (south) at exit 92. Take US Highway 12-East about 10 miles to State Highway 159. Turn left (east) on Highway 159 and go about 2 miles to the park. From the south on US 12, turn right (east) on Highway 159 and go about 2 miles to the park. From about April through November, the park can be reached via the Merrimac free ferry, State Highway 113 and County Highway DL.

Hours

• Devil's Lake is open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.
• Visitor Center hours are from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily in the summer and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. during other seasons. The Nature Center hours are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily in season. After October 14, the Nature Center is closed most days.

Park Fees

• A vehicle admission sticker is required.
• Hunting and Fishing Licenses apply.

Devil’s Lake State Park is part of the Ice Age National Scientific Reserve and Federal passes [exit DNR] are honored. Holders of National Parks passports receive a waiver of the vehicle admission fees, but camping fees are not affected.

Concessions and Rental Equipment

There are concessions buildings on both the north and south shore ends of the lake, and in the Ice Age Campground. The buildings are open all summer and some spring and fall weekends. The stores sell food and groceries, basic camp items, ice, firewood, souvenirs, shirts and hats. Proceeds from nonprofit stores' sales go to the park and are used to enhance customer services. Both buildings on the lake rent boats and canoes during summer.

Friends Group

The Friends of Devil’s Lake State Park was created to enhance, beautify, and support the park. Friends of Devil's Lake Website [exit DNR].

Explore the Outdoors

Explore the Outdoors

• Nature Center and Programs
• Nature at Devil's Lake State Park
• Geology at Devil's Lake State Park
• Views of the Park
• School Field Trips
• Wisconsin Explorer Program

Maps/Publications

Park Maps

• Devil's Lake State Park Map [PDF] Prints on 11- by 17-inch paper
• Ice Age, Northern Lights, and Quartzite campground maps [PDF]
• Map of the group camp [PDF]
• Hunting Maps
• North Shore picnic shelters map [PDF]
• South Shore picnic shelters map [PDF]

Park Planning

• Devil's Lake Master Plan [PDF] - Approved February 1982

Wisconsin State Park System (WSPS)

• WSPS Plans and Reports

In the Area

Department of Tourism Listings

• Baraboo [exit DNR]
• Wisconsin Dells [exit DNR]
• Madison [exit DNR]
• Spring Green [exit DNR]

More in the Area

• Circus World Museum [exit DNR]
• Aldo Leopold Shack and Farm [exit DNR]
• International Crane Foundation [exit DNR]
• Mid-Continent Railway Museum [exit DNR]
• Nature Conservancy Land [exit DNR]
• Riverland Conservancy [exit DNR]
• Lake Wisconsin [exit DNR]
• Sauk County Historical Museum [exit DNR]
• Sauk County Parks [exit DNR]
• Free ferry [exit DNR]