Devil’s Lake State Park is why many people come to Baraboo. At roughly 9,200 acres, it’s Wisconsin’s largest state park, surrounded by more than 27,000 acres of additional preserved woodland and natural areas across Sauk County. Sitting along the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, the park is built around a 360-acre lake ringed by 500-foot quartzite bluffs — the kind of view that stops first-time visitors mid-step. It’s consistently Wisconsin’s most-visited state park, drawing well over two million visitors a year.
Whatever brings you to Devils Lake, you don’t have to rough it to enjoy it. Ringling House Bed & Breakfast is a short drive from the park. There’s no better way to bookend a day on the bluffs than coming back to a Wisconsin Bed and Breakfast with a real bed, a hot shower, and a home-cooked breakfast waiting for you the next morning. Book your stay today!
Quick facts
Location: S5975 Park Rd, Baraboo, WI, about 10 minutes from downtown Baraboo, 3.5 miles from the North Shore entrance
Size: ~9,200 acres
Known for: East and West Bluff hiking, quartzite rock climbing, swimming, paddling, birdwatching
Vehicle admission sticker required
Hiking Devil’s Lake State Park’s Trails
Hiking is by far the most popular thing to do at Devil’s Lake. With nearly 30 miles of trails, including some of the most scenic stretches of the National Ice Age Trail in the state, there are routes here for leisurely lakeside strolls and strenuous climbs to get the heart pumping.
The East Bluff Trail is the park’s signature hike and its busiest. The East Bluff Trail is about 1.7 miles one-way, climbing to panoramic overlooks above the lake and passing near Devil’s Doorway, one of the park’s most-photographed rock formations.
The 3.4-mile round-trip on the West Bluff Trail climbs the opposite side of the lake. It’s steeper and rockier than East Bluff but offers quieter trails and equally dramatic views back across the water. If you want to extend your hike, it connects to several other trails.
The steep Balanced Rock Trail is short, only about 0.4 miles one-way, climbing a series of stone steps to the park’s iconic balanced boulder. It’s one of the most recognizable sites in Devils Lake State Park and well worth the burn.
Devil’s Doorway Trail is a short, non-technical trail to another of the park’s famous rock formations. With narrow ledges and steep drop-offs, it feels more dramatic than its length suggests.
If you are looking for an easy, accessible hike, we recommend the Tumbled Rocks Trail: about 1.7 miles, flat, and running right along the lakeshore with water views. It connects to West Bluff if you want to extend the hike.
Grotto Trail is a wide, easygoing path along the base of the south end of East Bluff. If you are at Devil’s Lake on a hot summer day, this is a smart hiking trail, since the grottos keep the air noticeably cooler.
Beyond Hiking: Things to Do at Devil’s Lake State Park
Hiking might be the most popular thing to do in the park, but there are plenty of outdoor pursuits to enjoy, depending on the time of year you are visiting.
Swim or picnic at the beaches. Devil’s Lake has sandy swimming beaches with picnic areas on both the north and south shores.
Paddle the lake. Gas motors aren’t allowed on Devil’s Lake, which keeps the water calm and quiet for canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards. Boat launches sit at both ends of the lake, with on-site rentals available in season. A guided paddle is worth considering even if you’ve kayaked before, since naturalist guides can walk you through the bluffs’ geology and the area’s Indigenous history.
Cast a line. The lake is stocked with brown trout, walleye, and northern pike. Shore fishing is available at the south-end launch area if you don’t have a boat; just bring a Wisconsin fishing license.
Try rock climbing or bouldering. The quartzite cliffs here are among the best climbing in the Midwest, shaped by the same ancient glacial forces that carved the rest of the Driftless Region.
Watch for wildlife. The park is home to roughly 38 mammal species and 115 bird species, plus a range of amphibians and reptiles, including timber rattlesnakes, so stay on marked trails. Bring binoculars; sightings are common.
Hunt in season. More than 6,000 acres of the park are open to hunting and trapping in designated zones and seasons — check current licensing requirements before heading out, and wear blaze orange even while hiking during hunting season.
Best Time to Visit Devil’s Lake State Park
Devil’s Lake is a four-season destination and the “best” time really depends on what you’re after.
Spring brings thinner crowds and waterfalls along the Ice Age Trail. If you’d rather have the bluffs to yourself, this is the best time to visit Devils Lake State Park.
Summer from Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak season. While this is the best stretch for beach days, swimming, and kayaking, it is also the busiest. Parking at both the North and South Shore entrances fills up fast on weekends, so arrive before 9 a.m. or after 4 p.m. if you can, or aim for a weekday.
Fall is the park’s best-known season. Early to mid-October typically brings peak color to the East and West Bluff trails, and the drive through the North Shore entrance, a short tunnel of hardwood trees in fall foliage, is a highlight on its own, even from the car.
Winter is the quiet season in Devils Lake State Park. Snowshoeing is allowed throughout the park (the Nature Center loans snowshoes for free, first-come, first-served), and the Steinke Basin Loop is periodically packed for easier travel by skiers, hikers, and snowshoers alike. Devil’s Lake doesn’t have groomed cross-country ski trails of its own — nearby Mirror Lake State Park is the better pick for that, with about 18 miles of groomed trails. Ice fishing is popular once the lake freezes, though the park doesn’t monitor ice thickness, so experience matters.
Not much of a camper? Devil’s Lake’s two campgrounds are popular and book out fast for summer weekends, but a tent means no air conditioning, shared bathhouses, and sleeping on the hard ground. If that’s not your idea of a good time, keep reading.
Where to Stay Near Devil’s Lake State Park
If you’re planning a visit to Devil’s Lake and want a base that’s as memorable as the park itself, Ringling House Bed & Breakfast is about 10 minutes from the park entrance.
Built in the early 1900s by one of the Ringling Brothers, our Wisconsin Bed and Breakfast is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with original stained glass and woodwork throughout. Each guest room is themed around a couple from the Ringling family history; the Charles & Edith Room, for instance, features an antique king-size canopy bed and a private bath, and is a favorite for a romantic weekend after a day on the bluffs. For families, groups, or anyone traveling with a dog, the two-bedroom Conway Cottage offers more space and flexibility as a standalone option.
Mornings start with a home-cooked breakfast, served on the porch in warmer months or at the historic Ringling family dining table. We can accommodate most dietary needs with advance notice. Our commitment to personalized hospitality has earned us nearly 200 five-star reviews on TripAdvisor.
However you spend your day at Devil’s Lake, on the trails or on the water, there’s no better way to close it out than a comfortable room and a shower waiting for you. Reserve your room now.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Devil’s Lake State Park free to enter?
No, Devil’s Lake requires a Wisconsin state park vehicle admission sticker for every vehicle that enters.
How long does it take to hike Devil’s Lake State Park?
A full loop connecting the East and West Bluff trails typically takes 3–4 hours at a moderate pace. Shorter routes like Tumbled Rocks or Grotto Trail take under an hour.
What is the best trail at Devil’s Lake State Park?
East Bluff Trail is the most popular for its panoramic overlooks and proximity to Devil’s Doorway. Tumbled Rocks Trail is the best pick if you want an easy, flat walk with lake views the whole way.
Is Devil’s Lake State Park dog-friendly?
Yes, dogs are welcome on most trails on a leash, and there is a designated swimming area for dogs.
When is the best time to visit Devil’s Lake State Park?
Late spring and early fall offer the best mix of good weather and manageable crowds. Fall (early to mid-October) is best for foliage; summer is best for swimming and kayaking but also the busiest.
Is camping the only option near Devil’s Lake State Park?
No. The park’s campgrounds are popular but book out fast in peak season. Ringling House Bed & Breakfast is about 10 minutes from the park entrance and offers guest rooms with a comfortable bed, private baths, and a home-cooked breakfast as an alternative to tent camping.
How far is Ringling House Bed & Breakfast from Devil’s Lake State Park?
Roughly 10 minutes by car, about 3.5 miles from the North Shore entrance, our Wisconsin Bed and Breakfast is close enough to spend a full day on the trails and still make it to downtown Baraboo for dinner.