Devil's Lake State Park Current conditions

Conditions as of Tuesday, May 21, 2013:

Summer is here, the park is open and trails beckon, but you may not want to swim quite yet. The late winter has left us with a colder than usual lake for this time of year.

Visitors may encounter some muddy or grass-seeded spots in a few construction areas. New lift stations for water flow have been installed and electric upgrades have been made to many campsites.

Camping

Ice Age and Quartzite campgrounds are open. Electrical campsites are available. Most water facilities are open, but the shower building and water taps in the lower Ice Age Campground (300’s) are still closed because they are connected to the same water system as Northern Lights campground. Due to the ongoing electrification project, Northern Lights campground will be closed for another few weeks.

The project work includes upgrading all electrical campsites to 50-amp service. Some non-electrical sites will be converted to electrical sites. Call the park at 608-356-8301 and press "3" for the "current conditions" message for the most up-to-date information.

No backcountry, trail-side or hike-in camping is allowed in the park.

Firewood notice: Due to the potential of carrying harmful tree pests and diseases, firewood from out of state or from more than 25 miles away is not allowed on Wisconsin State Park or Forest properties. Also, firewood that has been in the Wisconsin emerald ash borer quarantined area is not allowed on properties outside of the quarantined area. Please buy firewood at or near the park or forest where you are going. Call the DNR toll-free Firewood Hotline, 1-877-303-WOOD (1-877-303-9663) for information before packing for a trip. For more information, see firewood facts, rules and advice or ask the park or forest office. Maps are available to view the 25-mile radius of allowable firewood on state properties.

Events

See the DNR Events Calendar for a list of events at Devil's Lake and other state parks.

The Big Band dances will be held again at the Chateau this summer beginning Saturday, June 8. The dances will be held weekly on Saturday nights through August 24, and on Sunday September 1. The dances are held from 7:30-10:30 p.m.

In its second summer at the Chateau, a Friday Night Fish Fry will be held each Friday evening beginning June 7 and ending August 30, from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Nature

Spring has finally sprung at Devil’s Lake State Park! The great blue herons are once again making their raucous presence known in the group camp, repairing and maintaining their nests and incubating the eggs in the rookery atop the pine trees. 

There are flowers blooming, trees getting their leaves and birds are migrating. Red-breasted grosbeaks, Baltimore orioles, blue-gray gnatcatchers and golden-crowned kinglets have been seen on their annual migration through the park.

Visitors can still see the Dutchman’s breeches blooming along the entrance road, although they are past peak. Other flower blooming in the park include hepatica, spring beauties, wind flower and buttercups. The frogs are still calling and the gray tree frogs just joined the chorus of the spring peepers and western chorus frogs. Pickerel and leopard frogs can be heard on the parks south shore along Messenger Creek.

Concessions

The north shore Chateau and the south shore concession building are now open daily for the season. The Ice Age store will be open on weekends, but closed on weekdays until the construction work is done in Northern Lights campground. Concessions offers snacks, coffee, food, some groceries and camping supplies, ice, firewood and boat rentals (canoes, kayaks, paddleboats and rowboats).

More information

Devil's Lake State Park is open every day of the year from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Beginning May 24, the Visitor Center will be open until 11 p.m. daily throughout the summer.

Park newspapers and maps are available at the main north and south shore entrance stations. Self-pay stations are available for use at five locations in the park.