Devil's Lake State Park

Dangerous... but fun? 😂 This hike is not for the feint of heart. We decided to do the climb the hard way which consists of essentially climbing the side of a mountain that does not contain any sort of railings or protective measures. We saw multiple slip and almost lose footing...ourselves included. Many people with children of all ages including infants. The hike is quite strenuous depending on how you go about it. Bring drinks, snacks, and hope. 😂 There aren't any staff on the mountain whatsoever so you do need to have an honest conversation with yourself beforehand about whether or not you want to risk it for the biscuit or not. One hiker almost fell off the side of the cliff while we were hiking and was thankfully caught by nearby trees and then brought to safety. I know this review is all over the place but this is honestly what happened lol. The park overall is beautiful and a stunning presentation of nature... you just need to be prepared and wear GOOD hiking shoes. Cost for a pass is not expensive either. We would probably do it again, we just wouldn't choose the side mountain climb and would most likely go the long way up which is much safer.

I was not able to spend much time there. I drove around the lake and I found out later that there are different areas off of different roads that you can get into different parts of the lake. So that park system is quite extensive. There is definitely some amazing hiking there. And at this time of the year, there were still a lot of hikers out there. The lake is beautiful.

Devil's lake state park has something for everyone. The incredible and rocky skyline is perfect for those looking to challenge the peaks with either hiking or climbing. The placid waters of the lake are wonderful for swimming or kayaking. The deep and tranquil forests are wonderful for peaceful walks and adventurous treks. When not being active the park also hosts some great spots for camping, with a variety of both wooded and open sites. The park is additionally quite well maintained. Roads and trails are generally in good condition. The bathrooms are a bit more hit and miss, with some being quite clean and moderns, while others lag a bit behind. The distinction is easy to spot from the road for what that's worth. All in all, a great nature area for adventures of all kinds and memories waiting to be made.

11/03/25: The spectacular views at this park are incomparable. I hiked the East Bluff side of the park. I did part of the Ice Age Trail by hiking part of East Bluff Woods, East Bluff Trail, The Balanced Rock Trail down to the Lake, Part of the Grottos Trail and the Potholes Trail back up. I was going to hike more around the actual lake but the winds were gale force today. This park has easy trails, moderate trails and super difficult slippery trails. The hardest trail is the Balanced Rock Trail. I am an experienced hiker who had on trail runners and was using hiking poles and I slipped a few times and fell once. The potholes trail is a bit easier but not by much. I would not recommend attempting these trails in any type of weather. The rock steps are slippery when dry, down right dangerous when wet. The trails and out buildings are well maintained. I would recommend this park to both seasoned and new hikers. I would just recommend researching your trails before planning your trip.

Beautiful park to visit. Hiking was enjoyable, however, I recommend hiking in a counterclockwise direction when choosing trails, as there are two trails that are basically 1/3 of a mile of nothing but steps, which can be quite difficult if going clockwise.

We were only going to come for the morning but wound up spending the whole day. It was windy but when you were on the forest trail it was fine. The more adventurous in our group went up the east bluff trail, going up was easier then the trail down. We ate lunch at the onsite restaurant but wished we would have packed a picnic lunch like others had. We spent the afternoon by the lake and exploring the beach.

What a view? The view from the top of the cliff was absolutely stunning. There is a Trail that takes you all the way to the top where you can see the entire lake. When you enter the park, the admission fee is $16. You can enter and exit the park as long as you have the ticket on the dashboard. You can enjoy the lake using the paddleboard, canoes or kayaks. There is a fee for that and I believe it’s $38 for a ride. There is a visitor center and a nice big store where you can buy merchandise. Best times to go is June and July because the weather is nice and warm. Besides enjoying the lake, you can explore the trails take nature walks or simply sit and read a book by the lake. When I went there a few days back I was surprised to see how clean the area was, and the breathtaking views of the Devil lake. So if you haven’t visited this place yet, I feel you should put this as your bucket list and make sure to visit this place as soon as you get a chance! 😃

We came...We saw....We hiked....We napped. This place will test your fitness level Just returned from an incredible day at Devil's Lake State Park, and I can't recommend this place enough! If you're looking for stunning natural beauty and rewarding hiking challenges, this is absolutely the place to go. The Experience We decided to tackle the full experience - hiking around the entire lake and climbing to the top of both the East and West Bluffs. What an adventure! The lake loop trail is about 3.3 miles and offers beautiful water views throughout, with the massive quartzite bluffs towering above you as you walk. The Bluff Climbs The real highlights were definitely the bluff climbs. Both the East and West Bluff trails are steep and rocky - definitely a workout! - but the payoff is absolutely worth every step. The views from the top are simply breathtaking. You get panoramic vistas of the lake below, the surrounding forests, and on a clear day, you can see for miles across the Wisconsin countryside. What Made It Special The scenery: The contrast between the deep blue lake and the ancient quartzite cliffs is stunning The challenge: The rocky, steep trails really make you feel accomplished when you reach the summit The views: 360-degree views that are perfect for photos and just taking in the natural beauty The variety: Each bluff offers a different perspective and hiking experience Tips for Future Visitors Wear good hiking boots - the rocky terrain can be challenging. Bring plenty of water, especially if you're doing both bluffs like we did. The trails are well-marked, and there are several route options depending on your fitness level. This was truly an amazing experience that showcased some of Wisconsin's most beautiful natural scenery. Devil's Lake State Park has definitely earned a spot on our list of favorite hiking destinations. We'll absolutely be back! Highly recommended for anyone who loves hiking, nature photography, or just wants to experience some of Wisconsin's most spectacular views.

Me and my wife recently came here over Memorial Day weekend since she's never been to Devil's Lake State Park. It was really tough trying to find parking here but thankfully I found another spot away from the area just to avoid the parking fee generally. This place is really popular and a lot of people are here for a variety of attractions from the scenic views, the beaches the nice walks, boating rafting kayaking Etc Many of the people here are nice and respectful I'm so happy to say that I did not find any litter either throughout my walk the lake was crystal clear I highly recommend checking this place out if you're in need of a nature break.

Wanted to go hiking to see balanced rock and devils door. Had never been in the area before, but watched a few videos before going to try to get an idea of what id need to do when I got there. Got to the park around 5 and all the concessions were closed. Couldn't find anyone to speak to but there was a machine to buy a parking pass and found the map so I could figure out the trails. Made my way up to balanced rock but it was getting late and started to lose sunlight so didnt make it to devils door. Wouldn't say it's a easy hike but my girl never did anything like it and she did it just fine. Rocks slippery but I feel it was worth the views. Beautiful park and would definitely go back.

The most interesting discovery we made beyond the already discovered balanced rock was the deep rail push-up. This is done by extending your hands and feet to touch both sides of the rail lines and attempt a push-up. Few have the wingspan to do it, luckily at the main lodge there's a large avian wingspan chart to see if you measure up.

Devil's Lake State Park has breathtaking views, a beautiful waterfront, and amazing rock formations. Visiting Devil's Lake is one of my favorite things to do in the fall. The colors are stunning! Kayaking on the water in the summer is also a highlight.

The park was beautiful. I stopped by on a Sunday. There was a good crowd. Luckily I got a parking spot right away. Walk through the Tumbled Rock trail was not too easy, but not difficult either. There was an ice cream stand selling Cedar Crest ice cream. I had a couple of scoops. Store had nice memorabilia.

We got engaged in the area so this place holds a special place in our hearts. Great to see the expansion of things like the chateau for concessions, souvenirs and supplies for those camping/hiking. The staff at the chateau were very friendly and helpful. Lots of t- shirts, hoodies, shoes, toys, etc for purchase. The trails were a bit tougher this go around. So many steep trails to get to the top of the bluffs. By the end of it, an oktoberfest beer and cone of ice cream at the end really hit the spot. Be prepared if you hike here - good, grippy shoes, plenty of water and perhaps some snacks to keep you fueled.

This was my second time coming to Devils Lake and I enjoyed it just as much! This state park offers hiking, walking trails, paddle boat/kayak/paddle board rentals, and camp ground sites. I visited on a beautiful summer Sunday which meant a lot of families were out enjoying the water, trails, and picnic grounds. The main parking lot is $16 for out of state residents and $13 for in state residents for a day pass; however, one may be able to park at non-centralized lots to avoid the fee. We hiked the full circle around the lake which ended up totaling close to 5.5 miles with two spirts of +400 feet elevation. Below more details: -West Bluff Trail: This trail is listed at 1.4 miles and a +400ft elevation. The north trail entrance is a mixture of some stairs and some incline hiking. The steepness was doable and I enjoyed the vantage points along the trail before hitting the final look out which was breathtaking! Immediately after the main look out is the south entrance down. This way is all incline hiking. *Tumbled Rocks Trail is alternative trail along the lake with no elevation. -Balanced Rock Trail: This trail is listed at 0.4 miles and a +300ft elevation. This entry point was ALL ROCK STAIRS. There are no safety banisters and had some drop off points adjacent to stairs. Balanced Rock itself is very pretty and we saw many rock climbers on this path. Still, this is not for the faint of heart. -East Bluff Trail: This trail is listed at 1.1 miles and about a +100ft elevation. There is a mixture of steps and hiking path with gorgeous look out points. The northern entrance was where we descended and was more hiking incline which was appreciated. They have north and south concession and ice cream spots as well as bathrooms. The north end restrooms, by the visitor center, were more well kept than the south. The visitor center also has order in food, merch, and to go snacks.

Our family with kids hiked around the whole lake, and the scenery was stunning! Gorgeous bluffs and rock formations. We'd love to go back and do some of the water activities. We stopped halfway through our hike at the concessions area for lunch, and it was friendly service and good concession type food. They even had a black bean burger, and the ice cream was delish with good variety.

Such a good spot to hike and get some workout on! Highly recommend, a good spot to bring your friends and family and grill. So much to do! We hiked and got some ice cream! And we're able to get all our steps in for the day!

Plenty of parking, tons of picnic seating, and what looked like plenty of water activities once it's warmer (kayaks etc.) The lake itself is beautiful and the trails were upkept and easy to follow. Very relaxing site and interesting people/animal watching.

Pretty sure it's acclaimed as the jewel of the state park system. We had done the east bluff before but this time did the west bluff and hiked back along the Tumbled Rocks trail. The west bluff started up straight up the hill, a mixture of high pitched trail and rock steps. Once we did the initial ascent, it became more of a walk through the woods, but just when we would think the next small rise would be the last, there would be another to come. Throughout the bluff side hike there were great views across to the east bluff and down to the lake. It definitely struck you how straight up above the lake you seemed to be. There were benches at many of the overlooks and rock outcroppings as well. We were there on a misty morning so that added some cool effects to the views. Downhill on the south side didn't seem as bad, although the last stretch of spread out steps was somewhat interesting to navigate. Walking back among the talus was an easy enough hike but also interesting surroundings. All in all, well worth it and we'll plan to get back regularly.

Wow! Now I see why this is the number one state park in Wisconsin. Peace and serenity and beauty throughout, and the amenities! Being a city girl I need my shopping lol and this checks all the boxes there are three sizable gift shops, ice cream shop, espresso, and drink bar, bar, and grill with ample seating. Plenty of parking and a picturesque lake which feels like you're in another state.

Very beautiful. Day pass is $13 per vehicle. The trail around the perimeter of the lake is about 3.5 miles according to my watch. It's an easy walk. You will be getting full sun, so wear sun protection. You'll also be walking on stones, so wear tennis shoes with plenty of cushion or hiking boots. To be very honest, I was somewhat underwhelmed by the trail - I actually think the Estabrook Park trail along the Milwaukee River is better. I will definitely like to come back and try their other, more challenging trails. I would definitely not walk on the East side of the lake, on those train tracks. There was nothing grandiose about it, and walking on those rocks was brutal (sort of my fault for not having comfy shoes I guess). We didn't have time this time, but I also definitely want to come back for some water time.

Just wow- breathtaking views from the West Bluff trail. The climb is worth it! It took about an hour and 45 minutes to complete the trail and return via Tumbled Rocks, and we stopped to take pictures plus had a dog. Trail was clean, well maintained, and no bugs! Very busy, but clean and maintained park and picnic area. Absolutely enjoyed my time here. Parking lot got pretty full after about 1 PM.

breathtaking views from the west and east Bluff trail. The climb is worth it! It took about an hour and 45 minutes to complete the trail and return via Tumbled Rocks, and we stopped to take pictures Trail was clean, well maintained, and no bugs! Very busy, but clean and maintained park and picnic area. Absolutely enjoyed my time here. Parking lot got pretty full after about

While we didn't use all the services at this park, there were certainly spectacular views while hiking! Restrooms were clean & did I mention the views? I'd absolutely go back, tho, I will acknowledge that signage wasn't good & was conflicting at times, we used downloaded maps without issue.

I couldnt tell if I was at devils Lake or at a giant Mexican tailgate party. visitors have zero respect for other guests and blast the (big) portable radios in typical trash fashion with no regard or care. the park rangers could care less either

Too bloody expensive. Out of state people find a different place to stay. Camp fees is $43 then they charge you out of state fees then they charge extra for power then they charge you to extra to drive in the gate and extra for a tow car. A $43 campsite cost us $80. Never again will I camp at a state park Wisconsin.

There's a ton to do here at Devil's Lake State Park from chilling lakeside, picnicking, water activities in the summer, hiking with trails of various difficulties and more! Personally I found the trails to be pretty well marked and easy, some though are a little steep and some are on the side of the hill? Mountain? Anyway there's no railings for that particular trail but I never felt unsafe. HOWEVER for people that have a fear of heights that trail may not be for you. Long story short I learned how bad my husband's fear of heights was. But i also saw a pre-teen who was literally using his hands to stay low to the ground while walking/climbing up. They have a small off-leash dog-friendly area next to one of the boat launches pretty close to the entrance. It's not super well-marked, but there's a small sign just sort of right of the boat launch. It's not completely fenced off or anything but there's some plant growth between the lake and the road. It was the perfect spot for us to take our doggo exploring the water and there was maybe only one other dog there (this was off-season though). During the off season parking is plentiful, but it gets super packed when in season and you might have to get there early to secure a spot if you're planning on spending some time there. As with all Wisconsin State Parks a permit is required with price varying depending on if you're a WI resident. You can get a day pass, but if you're planning on spending more than 2 days during the year visiting any of the WI parks then an annual pass is probably worth it.

The Balanced Rock trail consists of very narrow, stone stairs. It is a very popular trail that over looks the lake. It is impossible to keep 6 feet of distance especially on busier weekends. Some areas are so narrow you have to stop to let people coming from the opposite direction pass. Some people bring their dogs which makes it extra interesting. It is a strenuous hike (my husband and I took a couple breaks and we are in our 30s) but it was well worth the views. I would recommend a small backpack, a couple snacks or a small lunch to munch on when you get to the top, good hiking shoes, water, a knee wrap if you have any issues and an extra dash of persistence to get you to the top.

Park is beautiful. Camping experience not so much. Incredibly expensive cost when you include the electric hookup, the out of state fee , and the additional per person day access fee you must pay before you get in the park. Showers are yuck. Handycap bath access a joke. Camping here should be advertised as "able bodied Wisconsin residents only (take a shower elsewhere). Sites also very close, no privacy

Great state park. Beautiful hikes and beaches. Nice campgrounds but not a level site to be found. Some more so than others so bring every leveling block you have.

Drove in from Chicago for a few hours of hiking on our way to northern Wisconsin. We arrived at 8am and there were a handful of cars in the parking lot. By the time we returned from our hike (9:30a) the lot was practically full! We wanted to do a loop around Devils Lake, so we headed out on Tumbled Rocks Trail. All in all, it was about 3.5 miles around the lake. The trail was pretty easy (1.5 out of 5 difficulty). It was mostly flat. See pics for more detail. The trail itself was 5/5 stars, but the buildings were a little run down around the park, that is the reason I gave DL 4 stars. This would be a great place to bring your dog. Almost everyone we saw in the hour and a half we were here had a dog. The views are beautiful! We'll be back : )

This was a breathtaking hike! It was definitely challenging at times but with breaks and taking your time going down the beauty is so worth it. It was impressive seeing so many dogs doing the hike with thier owners. We started at the bottom on the rock side along the water. It was a great hike. Possibly the most beautiful hike I've ever done

Have visited Devil's Lake State Park over 5 times now. It has been one of my favorite hiking spots in Wisconsin. The views are so beautiful and it's honestly a beautiful trek during all seasons. During the spring time, the weather is perfect for hiking through the trails. During the summer, take a dip into the lake and enjoy the sun. During the fall, watch the tree leaves during beautiful colors. During winter, take a walk on the frozen lake. Highly recommend for anyone who enjoys the outdoors!!

Four stars in the summer; five stars for fall, winter and spring! Devil's Lake is an incredible treat to have so close to home for us, it's like a little adventure every time we go! Don't think it's just the locals though, as soon as the summer hits, there are hundreds of people visiting from out of state every day spending time on the beach, swimming, hiking and camping. It's a *little* slower during the week but it's a zoo of people every day so don't expect a lot of tranquility unless you're way off the beaten path of the trails. Parking on the weekends can feel close to impossible, so be sure to carpool if possible. You can rent out the picnic shelters if you have a group as well and want a nice spot to spend the day. Awesome ice cream stand in the warmer months to treat yourself to and good food indoors, cute and huge store too. There is an area on both shores for dogs as well -all off leash water area and on-leash, so you can bring your friendly pup if you like! It is not enclosed, though, and the park staff will be quick to alert you if your pet is off leash out of the limits. The massive campgrounds are nearly full every day and unless there are cancelations, you definitely want to head to the website to reserve your spot in advance. You can reserve up to 11 months prior, and the summer is more than half filled by January, so get in on it fast! It's about $25/night for the non-electric sites. Winter camping is available in one area too...if you dare to in the Midwest. I don't remember what park admission is without a state park pass, I believe 10 dollars for a car? Worth it to buy the year pass, it's less than 30 dollars and you don't have to pay for reentry each time you leave. The hiking is breathtaking and can be a real workout, depending on where you go. Hike up the bluffs for more of a challenge or stay on the flatter ground through the forest. There are some very cool landmarks such as Devil's Doorway, Balanced Rock, Cleopatras Needle and Elephant Rock if you do your searching. Dress to hike uneven ground and wear good shoes. While Devil's Lake is truly a blast is the summer, the beauty is incredible year round. The other seasons are when you're going to get a more peaceful experience. Going for a hike in the fall or winter is just gorgeous and your photos will be phenomenal. My husband proposed in the bluffs and we took our wedding photos at Devil's Lake -it's an awesome backdrop. Whether you want to put on some quality boots to take a lovely hike, camp with your family or just hang on the beach, Devil's Lake is an awesome place to make some memories! Just bring your camera.

A pretty nice park to get your camping on. I've never been camping in my life so didn't really know what to expect. In terms of the campgrounds, they have lots where there is electricity, and then there are lots without. I believe the no-electricity route is cheaper. We roughed it for 2.5 days and it was an interesting experience. I've never been so scared to pee in pitch-black darkness in the middle of the night, and hearing all the weird sounds and animals was definitely a different experience for this city slicker. The State Park is beautiful though. They have a beach like area with paddle boats, canoes, and kayaks you can rent out, as well as two trails that lead to the bluffs, which has an amazing view. Parking can be tough, so go early and hope for the best. Or walk to it, if your campsite is relatively close. BATHROOM REVIEW: OK, I get it, we're camping, so I'm just glad I didn't have to dig a hole and pop a squat. The bathroom and showers were about 300-yards from our camp site and consisted of 3 showers, two urinals, and two stalls. Remember to randomly push on the shower faucet, or risk having the water turn off on you at a soapy inopportune time, like it happened to me. The showers were OK, but were usable. Pro-tip: If you need to poo, and don't mind the trek, haul over to the beach area, where the bathrooms are 90x nicer. Sit or squat? Squat.

What an unexpected surprise when we went for a hike and saw the beautiful moon in this park. Words cannot adequately describe the peace and serenity we experienced hiking up the rocks through the snow and ice. An extraordinarily beautiful experience. Then the site of the tree trunks with their bay leaves against the sky with the moon peering through. Unbelievable.

I always enjoy coming here whether it's freezing or hot! Great sights and views! Always parking even when busy during the memorial holiday season. Some very scenic and physical trails ahead, so if you plan on climbing up make sure you are in decent health. Bring water if it's very hot and a towel for sweat! Plenty of places to sit and many great spots to take selfies!

Want it Quiet? Come on a weekday. But if you like people-watching, being close to your neighbors, "participating" in triathlons, come on the weekend. On Friday 9/16 there were very few people, we literally met 12 people on the popular trails from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., there were 3 cars in the South parking lot, practically had the place to ourselves. Saturday and Sunday the place was packed, parking lots full, trails crawling with hikers, screaming kids from dawn to 11 p.m., dogs barking. If high volume action is your thing, this is the place for you on the weekend. Hiking-wise if you're wondering if old-ish people can do these difficult hikes, it took us oldsters a good 3 hours to do the loop of the most popular sights: Balanced Rock, Devil's Doorway, Potholes and Grottoes Trails. We climbed slowly (walking sticks REALLY HELP!). Save your energy for these strenuous climbs and drive from your campsite to the South parking lot, and then hit the trails EARLY in the morning. There will be hardly any people and plenty of parking spots. Younger people can do that same loop in about half the time or less. Camping-wise, the place was not buggy, the sites were clean, bathrooms were well-maintained, even had a shower and flush toilets. After Labor Day some of the stores and concession stands are closed for the season. There is no vegan Ice cream available, but the cafe does have a black bean veggie burger. It's cheaper by a buck or two to buy your firewood outside of the park. When the acorns are falling from the oak trees, they may bonk you on the head or ding your vehicle, so be aware. On Friday, it seemed like the maintenance crew was preparing the property for the weekend by mowing all the grass at 7 a.m. or by circling your picnic table at the beach while you're trying to eat lunch. Watch out for irresponsible pet owners who don't bring poop bags and let their dogs poop on the trail without cleaning it up or they just leave their poop bags on the trail. A week before our reservation we got an email from the park notifying us that there would be a triathlon happening on the Sunday of our stay. The race would take place from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Promptly at 6:00 a.m. the music started blasting and the announcer began announcing through the loudspeaker, so forget about sleeping in if you're in a tent in the Northern Lights campground. It felt like we were participating in the triathlon too. All in all, we had a good time, but don't feel the need to go back again. We did a ton of hiking and had fun with our friends. We saw the sh*t out of the park, so now we can go on to another adventure elsewhere.

Devils lake is absolutely wonderful when it's not busy. Be aware that they will tow you if you park outside the parking signs. (And sometimes there aren't any no parking signs and you will still get towed.) This didn't happen to me, but I saw it happen. Imagine getting your car towed in the middle of no where with no Ubers and barely any cell service. Just know the DNR are sticklers for the rules at this park, so go when it's not busy and you'll have a great time.

The state of Wisconsin has done well here! Very well! They locked Devils Lake down by owning and managing the entire distance around the entire swath of land known as Devils Lake. Parks on both sides and amazing hiking all around. Devils Lake is the premier place to hike, kayak, canoe, paddleboard, rock climb, hang with the pooch and camp! Whew, that was a mouthful. For me with any campsite I prefer the remote sites. No electric no fancy bathrooms, just you in the back of nature staring at some of the most gorgeous scenery one could ask for. I won't tell you what sites we prefer but instead tell you go big or go home. Devils Lake can get pretty hectic with out of towners on the weekends but if you reserve far enough out and get the right spot one is truly given the opportunity to enjoy this special gem of an area. The hiking is no joke especially up top when you're traversing the cliffs but we wouldn't have it any other way. So much to see so much to enjoy. Devils Lake isn't a place to forget. Since we drove from MKE we made it a special treat and took the Merrimac free ferry across the bay to get here. That made the overall getaway feel a little more fun. Devils Lake is a must go to if you can! So worth it!

Devil's Lake State Park: I've been camping here since I've been a teenager and have always enjoyed the park. The east & west bluffs are beautiful and make for excellent hiking and rock climbing. There are numerous bathrooms and showers available throughout the campground. Near the lake is a general store, restaurant, event hall, ice cream shop, and kayak rentals. My only complaint from this most recent trip is that the automatic hand dryer in the men's restroom near our campsite was broken and there were no paper towels available as an alternative.

The hiking trails are phenomenal. You can bring your pups. It gets crowded at least during August when I was there. I'd love to one back and do more hiking.

Such a great spot to hike, camp, swim or do pretty much anything outside. It's amazing that all of leveled hikes from easy to difficult within the park have great views. I highly recommend Devils Lake If you are looking for your outdoor fix.

Such a nice park. The east bluff hike was great. We love that we were able to bring our dogs on the hike. The views of the lake were stunning. The hike was very easy and the trail was well kept.

Beautiful views, great hiking, really great rock climbing and part of the ice age trail so your national parks pass gets you in. Camping books up fast so reserve early or plan on staying outside the park

TL:DR - If going more than one day, consider getting the annual pass. Beautiful hikes, but way over saturated with people. Beach was packed midweek/mid-coronavirus and plenty of hikers blaring music on their bluetooth speakers in the middle of the woods. As of 06/08, the park is open, but the visitor center, rental station, and bathrooms were all still closed. This place is really beautiful, but was really over saturated with people. This was the case mid-week during a pandemic. We got here at 9:30, and people were already staking out beach spots to hunker down for the day... Luckily we were just here to hike, but even on the hike, you couldn't go 5 minutes without running into another group and you couldn't go 10 min without passing a group trying to avoid conversation by blasting music from a bluetooth speaker while hiking. Based on several suggestions, we were told the "East bluff" trail was the best hike to take. It is quite gorgeous and a relatively easy hike if you're in good walking shape. There are some stairs and most of the trail is paved. There are tons of great look outs along the way, but most of those look outs don't have a paved trail leading to them. In addition to the "East bluff trail" we went passed balanced rock (much smaller than I expected), devils doorway (where people felt the need to climb all over the thing), potholes (we only saw one pot hole near the north end of the trail, so feel free to see them and turn back), a portion of the grottos trail (great pockets of cold air coming from underground caverns), and rozenose meadows (least busy, beautiful meadows, little to no cover). The price was quite high, if you are going more than a day ($16/day), it may be worth it to just get the annual pass ($38).

This place is special! I'm disappointed that it took me so long to visit. I needed a place to get away from the busy life and just let the stress melt away. Devil's Lake State Park delivered. For this year's rates, cars with Wisconsin plates can buy a one day pass for $8 or a annual pass for $28. Out of state plates cost more, obviously. I arrived on Thursday of Labor Day weekend, so it wasn't busy. The lake was calm and mostly surrounded by the bluffs and the beaches at North Shore and South Shore. The park was quiet, and just driving in on the entrance road, with the forest on either side of me, I started to feel relaxed. The North Shore of the lake seems to be the most popular. The store and concession stand is open more consistently than the smaller version on the South Shore. The beach seems a little nicer and has more amenities than the south shore, although the south shore has a significantly large park space for picnics, as well as a volleyball court and a hall for event rentals. There was a wedding there during my visit. There is a lot to explore with various camp sites, points of interest, and hiking trails labeled in the Visitor's Guide as easy to difficult, but I kept my exploring to a minimum with a mile and a half hike along the lake and a drive to the south shore from the north shore. I was there to do as little as possible and enjoy some clean air and tranquility. My mission was accomplished.

Wow. What an incredible state park. My girlfriend and I decided to do a girls day at Devils Lake. I have never been before. All we wanted to do was hike. We arrived around 10am. It was $16 to enter the park. Once we parked, we went into the little gift shop to buy a coffee and go to the bathrooms. I noticed right away that the building looked like they were brand new. Super clean. Once we got on the trails, I was taken back by how beautiful everything was. The trails were easily marked and well taken care of. I also noticed that there were a ton of dogs on the trails! If you're thinking about taking a day or weekend to visit, DO IT! You will not be disappoint.

We had a great time tent camping (except for Bam Bam, my little shih tzu...I don't think he liked sleeping in a tent). If you have never been to Devil's Lake, it is smart to do your research about the different camp grounds before you go. We wanted to camp on a weekend in August so when I booked on April 1st, there was slim pickings. We ended up getting site 530 in Ice Age. It was nice. The sites in this area are wooded and feel like real camping. There was a picnic table and a fire pit and we tied a hammock to the trees for the kids. One of the other camp grounds we drove through was basically a big sunny field with very little privacy. Some of these other camp grounds seemed like they would be fun, but it doesn't fit the picture I have in my head of a secluded camp ground. We had so much fun that we have already booked one of the two teepees for next summer. I can't wait. Our kids are kind of small so we didn't do a ton of hiking but we did enjoy going down by the lake and listening to big band music that was playing through the open windows of the pavilion on the water in the evening. We let our kids wade in the water but towel dried them well and showered them off immediately because you can get swimmers itch from the water. I was a little apprehensive about letting them wade in but there were a million people swimming and the regulars explained to get the water off them quickly once they were out and they were fine. When we were by the lake, a big group from University of Wisconsin had set up large telescopes and they let us look through them. It was really nice.

Gorgeous sights and challenging trails, unlike many other local state parks. For a $40 season pass, we spent 5 hours on our first trip hiking flat and incline trails and cliffs, to tops where we had spectacular views of the serene Devil's Lake. Based on what we did, I would recommend the following (based on difficulty level): Beginners/Easy (young children & elderly) - Tumbled Rocks Trail; Grottos Trail Moderate - East Bluff Woods Trail; Devil's Doorway Trail Difficult - Balanced Rock Trail; Potholes Trail The park has excellent public restrooms, clean facilities, and an immaculate park full of people enjoying all sorts of outdoor activities. Pet-friendly.

We visited on a Friday in August and it was PACKED. Parking was hard to find and the lake had so many people in it. We decided to try Parfrey's Glen Trail to see a waterfall. We had a lot of trouble finding the road to get there...because it actually goes over the intersection on the map and you have to leave the park to get on it. Mid search, we stopped for a picnic. The bathroom was ok. One toilet paper huge roller had opened and the tp was on the ground, but there was someone in the midst of cleaning. Cars were zipping well over the 15mph speed right by the playground. All in all, it was a decent picnic spot, but I was glad to leave and get to a less populated area.

A park has to be pretty amazing to help your husband recover from a crushing NCAA loss for his beloved Wildcats in overtime play that blocked them from a Final Four Dance. Devil's Rock State Park is that amazing. Even in early spring before anything is green and after everything white has melted. Since I'm oblivious to the NCAA schedule (intentionally -- I rather resent the damn tournament because it interferes with my wedding anniversary every year), I scheduled our trip to this park right in the middle of the Kentucky versus Auburn game. To my darling husband's credit, he didn't even mention it. Because he was so lovely about it, I offered to stop on our ascent on the West Bluff Trail so he could watch the last few minutes of regulation play and then overtime on his phone (thank goodness our carrier had service -- thanks Cricket). Actually, I was worried he might fall over the side of the cliff and I wasn't sure about the status of the life insurance premiums. Just kidding. Kentucky lost. He was mad. His curse words might have echoed off the partially frozen lake. Then the beauty of the place took over and we enjoyed a two hour hike of the West Bluff. Against advice from our resort concierge, we chose to ascend the trail on the steep side closest to the park entrance and nearest Baraboo. I'm glad we did. While the climb was steep, it was doable and I think it was the better approach. We got great photos on the way up and took our time at all the overlooks. We did the shorter hike (about 2.5 miles) and returned to the parking lot on the trail along the lake directly below the trail at the top. The longer hike would have taken us completely around the lake (about 6.5 miles) and we didn't have enough daylight left. Favorite parts: Photo opportunities. Color of the tumbled rocks (which is not visible in the photos but the green moss and the purple of the rocks were breath taking). Workout value of the climb -- safe but got my heart rate up. Information kiosks along the trail (explaining the rocks, the formations, geographic history of the area). Emergency call box and rescue basket (scary, but good to know it's there) - and road access for authorities to do a rescue. Tips: You have to buy a sticker when you enter the park but you have to pass up the parking lot closest to the entrance to the West Bluff Trail to get the sticker and it's a one-way road, so the best way to get to it is to exit the park and re-enter after you get your sticker. We paid $16 for a day pass for out-of-state plates. I wouldn't bring a child on this West Bluff Trail who is adventurous and who won't stay right beside you. I have a son who is 20 now. If I'd brought him to this trail as a 4- or 5-year-old, he probably wouldn't be 20. Too many places for him to fall over the side. I also saw a lot of dogs on the trail but was glad I didn't have my Golden. She's a GREAT, obedient dog, but she LOVES the water and may have broken her leg trying to get over the tumbled rocks to get to the water. She would love this lake, but I'd keep her on the side of the lake away from the rocks so she would have a safe passage to the water. And, another dog owner told us that one of the two beaches allows dogs.

My first time in this park and I was impressed! I got there before 10am and the place was pretty empty but on my way out around 2pm it was packed with people. I went there for a hike and it was all worth it. The views from the top were great. There were many families up the trails with dogs, etc. I very much enjoyed my visit.

By far the best hiking spot In southern Wisconsin (i haven't explored northern Wisconsin yet so can't judge the whole state!) Although it can get crazy crowded on nice summer weekends making parking difficult to find, devil's lake is always worth a trip. And if you can go on a weekday or a nice winter weekend you will almost have the place to yourself! I love to hike a lake loop. It's the perfect mix with the hike up to the devil's doorway giving your legs a great workout with a very rewarding view at the top. The beach is great to relax on after, and in the summer the lake is great for kayaking, canoeing or swimming! Devil's lake is always at the top of my list of recommendations for anyone visiting the greater Madison area!

Park is beautiful and great but the 'pet swim area' is a complete joke. It is very small and not enclosed, even though it is literally 5 feet from a main road.

Devils Lake State Park is one of the largest in Wisconsin and a very popular spot with families and large groups. Our group of 12 arrived around 11 am on the busy 4th of July holiday weekend and parking was already getting tight and lots of the best picnic spots were already staked out. There were plenty of people enjoying the water and grounds and everyone was having a great time on this perfect day. The park is VERY POPULAR so don't come expecting to be alone in the wilderness. There are great hiking trails, lots of places for picnics, boat rental, snack bars, restroom facilities and lots of great people watching. There is a per vehicle cost to enter the park and cars with Wisconsin license plates pay less than those from out of state. For a perfect day by the water, this is a great park to visit.

Absolutely beautiful!!!! Such a great environment. I saw all ages and tons of dogs! I went yesterday (Saturday October 10, 2020) and the fall colors were just gorgeous! Be careful because some rocks tend to be slippery. I drove ~2.5 hours from Illinois to spend the day here. Note: I did go on a Saturday, probably their busiest day of the week. This place was packed by 11am, it was impossible to socially distance along the East Bluff Trail. I was aware of this ahead of time and arrived at the park very early. Next time I'll try and visit during a week day.