In the heart of Wisconsin’s Baraboo Range, where ancient quartzite bluffs rise 500 feet above a crystal-clear glacial lake, Devil’s Lake State Park attracts more than three million visitors annually, making it the most visited state park in Wisconsin and one of the most visited in the entire United States. The combination of dramatic bluff scenery, excellent rock climbing, outstanding hiking, a beautiful swimming lake, and proximity to both Madison and Wisconsin Dells makes Devil’s Lake an anchor destination for Wisconsin outdoor recreation. If you visit only one Wisconsin state park in your lifetime, this is the one to choose.
The Lake and the Bluffs
Devil’s Lake itself is a glacial lake about a mile long and half a mile wide, its basin plugged by glacial debris at both ends that now forms the natural dams holding the lake in place. The lake’s water is clear and blue, warmed enough for swimming by midsummer and set in a natural bowl formed by the 500-foot quartzite bluffs that rise steeply from both shores. The geological context is extraordinary: the quartzite bluffs are among the oldest exposed rock surfaces in Wisconsin, formed from ancient Precambrian sediments metamorphosed into quartzite more than 1.6 billion years ago. The glaciers that carved the lake basin also deposited enormous boulders, called erratics, across the landscape around the lake, creating the jumbled talus slopes below the bluffs that give the park much of its distinctive character.
The view from the top of either the East or West Bluff, looking down at the lake with the opposite bluff reflected in the still water and the forest stretching away in all directions, is one of the finest panoramic views in Wisconsin. On clear days the Baraboo Hills and the Wisconsin River valley are visible for miles. The light on Devil’s Lake in the late afternoon, with the quartzite bluffs glowing orange-red and their reflection shimmering in the dark blue water below, has a photographic quality that has made it one of the most recognizable landscape images in the state.
Hiking the Bluff Trails
Devil’s Lake has more than 29 miles of hiking trails ranging from easy lakeside paths to strenuous bluff climbs. The East Bluff Trail and West Bluff Trail follow the tops of their respective bluffs and provide continuous views over the lake and surrounding landscape. The Tumbled Rocks Trail along the east shore of the lake runs directly through the massive talus field below the East Bluff, scrambling over and around boulders with the bluff looming overhead and the lake alongside. It’s one of the most fun trail experiences in the Wisconsin state park system.
For a comprehensive bluff experience, the East Bluff Woods Trail, the East Bluff Trail, and the Balanced Rock Trail can be combined into a loop that visits the finest viewpoints and rock formations on the east side of the lake. The Balanced Rock, a large quartzite boulder balanced on a smaller one, is among the park’s most photographed formations and sits right along this loop. The equivalent west bluff loop provides similar scenery with different perspectives.
Rock Climbing
Devil’s Lake is one of the finest and most popular rock climbing destinations in the upper Midwest. The quartzite bluffs offer hundreds of established climbing routes of all difficulty levels, attracting climbers from across the region. The rock is generally excellent, with solid quartzite providing good holds and reliable friction. The Brinton’s Buttress and the Devil’s Doorway areas are among the most popular climbing zones. Climbing is permitted throughout the park on the bluffs, with some seasonal restrictions to protect nesting falcons. A local climbing guide service offers instruction and guided climbs for beginners.
Swimming and Water Recreation
Devil’s Lake has two swimming beaches, one on the north shore and one on the south shore, both of which are popular in summer. The lake is well-suited for swimming, with gradually sloping sandy bottoms at the beach areas and clear water that allows good visibility. Paddleboats, kayaks, and canoes can be rented at the concession areas on both shores. Fishing for bass, bluegill, and northern pike is permitted on the lake with a Wisconsin fishing license.
Practical Tips for Your Visit
Devil’s Lake State Park is extremely popular on summer weekends, and the parking lots at both the north and south shores fill to capacity before 10 a.m. on busy days. Arriving before 8 a.m. on summer weekends is strongly advisable. Visiting on a weekday provides significantly better access and a much less crowded trail experience. The park charges a Wisconsin State Park vehicle sticker fee for entry. Camping is available in three campgrounds with several hundred sites total, though these also fill well in advance for summer weekends and should be reserved months ahead through the Wisconsin state parks reservation system.
Devil’s Lake State Park is about 50 miles north of Madison on Highway 123, adjacent to the city of Baraboo. It’s an easy two-hour drive from Milwaukee, two and a half hours from Chicago, and just minutes from the Wisconsin Dells resort area, making it a natural addition to a Wisconsin Dells family trip or a day hike destination from Madison.
Devil’s Lake is one of those parks that you visit, then tell everyone about, then bring back for another visit. The scenery is genuinely magnificent, the trails are challenging and rewarding, and the combination of geology, glacial history, and natural beauty is unlike anything else in Wisconsin. It deserves its reputation as the state’s finest state park, and a visit will show you exactly why.