Devil’s Lake State Park is both the largest and most popular state park in Wisconsin. The lake is nice, but what makes it so special is the towering bluffs surrounding the lake on its eastern and western sides. This makes for some great hiking and amazing views.
In this guide, I’ll cover everything to know so you can plan your hiking trip to Devil’s Lake State Park. I’ll cover the best trails and give some advice for beating the crowds.
Where to Hike at Devil’s Lake State Park
Devil’s Lake State Park features some unique hiking in Wisconsin. You can hike up to bluffs overlooking the lake, wander through a gorge, or explore an ancient lake bed. Plus, Devil’s Lake State Park has more than just hiking. The lake itself is a destination and you can kayak, paddle board, and swim in the lake, but this guide will focus exclusively on the hiking trails.
Hiking the Lake
Unsurprisingly, the major staple of Devil’s Lake State Park is the lake itself. Many people, myself included, tend to focus our hiking near the lake. This is where you’ll find the tall bluffs and the most iconic views.
West Bluffs
The first area I’m going to cover is the West Bluffs, which as the name suggests cover the western side of Devil’s Lake. To reach these bluffs, you’ll climb up about 500 feet on rocky steps. This can be steep and slippery, especially if it’s wet, so watch your step and take your time. You likely will not be moving quickly through this part of the trail, but that’s ok. Trust me when I say you want to take your time. I slipped on a rock and had an awful bruise for the next two weeks. Don’t be like me.
Once at the top of the steps, you’ll walk along the bluffs, mostly through the forest. But as you walk, there will be numerous bluffs and viewpoints that provide a view of the lake and the surrounding area. When you reach the other side of the lake, you’ll need to descend those 500 feet that you initially climbed.
I found the steps on the southern side of the lake to be less steep than that on the northern side of the lake. The southern side felt more gradual while the northern side felt exactly like climbing steps. This is just important to note as this trail is technically a point to point trail and can be done in either direction. Or, you could hike up, walk to the end, retrace your steps and then descend the way you came.
The west bluffs were nice, but my hike wasn’t the greatest. It had rained pretty heavily the day before and I did the West Bluffs first thing in the morning. The rocks were still incredibly slippery and that takes a toll mentally. This is not helped by the fact that I’m still super paranoid on sections of trail like this thanks to my mishap at Rocky Mountain National Park’s Sky Pond. On top of that, there was some decent fog in the morning, so while I could see the lake, it wasn’t as great as it could be.
That all said, I still recommend this trail as I think climbing the bluffs and taking in the views of Devil’s Lake are one of the best things you can do at Devil’s Lake State Park.
From North Shore Beach to South Lake Road, the trail is 1.8 miles and has 500 feet of elevation gain (and descent). It took me about an hour to do this section of trail. That’s slower than my normal pace but those rocky steps really slowed me down.
Tumbled Rocks Trail
For an alternative to the West Bluffs, consider the Tumbled Rocks Trail. Like the West Bluffs (and East Bluffs), you’ll walk along the lake. However, you’ll be walking along the edge of the lake so you get to avoid the 500 feet incline on rocky steps. The trail weaves its way through the boulder field along the western side of Devil’s Lake, but you don’t have to actually climb the boulders. You’ll be walking on a mostly even surface, but expect to find a few small hills.
I enjoyed this hike simply because I got to spend the entire time strolling along the lake. It wasn’t as much effort as the West Bluffs and therefore it just felt a bit more enjoyable. Admittedly, the views aren’t as epic, but they are still good. So, if you’re looking for a hike that has some nice views but isn’t strenuous, check out the Tumbled Rocks Trail.
Note that this is a point to point trail. I hiked the West Bluffs Trail from north to south and then took the Tumbled Rocks Trail from south to north and made a loop out of the two trails.
East Bluffs
Now that we’ve talked about the western bluffs, let’s talk about the East Bluffs. There are two trails up on the eastern side of the lake. There’s the popular East Bluffs Trail that will take you along the bluffs and the East Bluffs Woods Trail which takes you through the woods, instead of along the bluffs on the lake.
I had plans to hike the East Bluffs, but those changed slightly and I didn’t end up doing the entire East Bluffs Trail (although I ended up briefly on the eastern bluffs). Similar to the West Bluffs Trail, you’ll hike up 500 feet over rocky, uneven steps to reach the top of the bluffs. From here, you’ll get views of Devil’s Lake. Again, I haven’t hiked this specific trail (my efforts were concentrated on the southern end of the east bluffs), but I have a friend who has covered the East Bluff Trail and this was her favorite area of to hike at Devil’s Lake State Park.
Beyond just the views from the bluffs, there’s two other big draws in this area of the park. The first is Balanced Rock and it requires a short detour to reach. I’ll be honest, every park seems to have a “Balanced Rock” and so many just aren’t that impressive. Balanced Rock at Devil’s Lake falls into that same category. Now, that said, depending on the trail that you’re hiking, you may end up going right passed Balanced Rock (or within 50 feet of it). As I was not doing the proper East Bluffs Trail, I had to pass Balanced Rock to make my way back down the bluffs. This worked for me, but honestly, I wouldn’t stress about visiting.
The second detour is for Devil’s Doorway and this is a detour that I recommend making. The trail to Devil’s Doorway is a 0.1 mile detour from the main trail, but it descends (and then ascends) some steep steps. Your reward for visiting Devil’s Doorway is a unique rock formation set against Devil’s Lake. The view is stunning and it’s arguably the most iconic view of Devil’s Lake, so make the detour when you’re hiking.
The Grotto Trail
The Grotto Trail is a trail that leads you through the woods and avoids a lot of the steep rocks. Well, you avoid those steep steps until the Grotto Trail ends and you meet up with a trail to the Eastern Bluffs. It’s a nice trail, but honestly for me, the nice part was I was able to gain a little elevation without so many steep steps. It was a more gradual climb up versus something like the Potholes Trail which is straight up the side of the bluffs. Essentially, The Grotto Trail is the long way around, but its less strenuous (and less crowded).
The Whole Lake Loop
Devil’s Lake is a circle, so you could easily choose to hike both the West and East bluffs in a loop starting from either the north or south shore. On the north shore, you’ll walk the path along the beach and on the south shore, you’ll follow the pedestrian only boardwalk that runs alongside the road. These are clearly marked and it’s very easy to see where you’re going for the entire loop. The loop is about 4.5 miles.
Note that if you don’t want to do the bluffs on both sides of the lake, you still have an option. Starting in the north, hike the East Bluffs. The as you exit the bluffs, follow the paths along the southern area of Devil’s Lake. On the western side, take the Tumbled Rocks Trail instead of the west bluffs. This was my original plan, but due to some issues, I had to make some changes on the fly and I backed out of the whole loop (even though I still hiked on both the West and East Bluffs).
Parfery’s Glen
Hiking at Parfery’s Glen takes you into a gorge for what some people say are the best views in the park. The trail is listed at 0.7 miles, but the trail is more difficult now that it used to be. In 2023, heavy rains created a flood that wiped out the boardwalk in this area. You can still hike at Parfery’s Glen, but just be prepared for rocks and boulders.
This is on my list for my next visit as I ran out of time (and was mentally over climbing rocks and boulders).
Steinke Basin
After all the hiking on the rocks, Steinke Basin is level and flat, making it an easier area to hike in. The Steinke Basin Loop Trail is 2.4 miles and takes you through an area that used to be an ancient glacial lake bed.
I ran out of time to hike here, so unfortunately I don’t have any practical advice, but it’s on my list for next time.
Ice Age Trail through Devil’s Lake
The Ice Age Trail is a National Scenic Trail that winds its way through Wisconsin, following the remnants of the last ice age. The entire trail is 1100 miles long, but many Wisconsinites (and other visitors) hike the trail in sections. One of those sections goes right through Devil’s Lake. While it’s your choice if you want to do the entire 10.9 mile point to point hike, you can even hike a section of it.
The Devil’s Lake Segment starts at Highway 113, goes west and follows the western bluffs around Devil’s Lake. Continue along the southern part of the lake and up the Grotto Trail as you work your way east to Highway DL.
You can find more information, including plenty of free, helpful maps at the Ice Age Trail website.
Beating the Crowds at Devil’s Lake State Park
Devil’s Lake State Park is the most popular state park in Wisconsin. The unique views plus its location make it popular with all sorts of visitors. You’ll have plenty of people who visit from Madison but also plenty of people who will include a day at Devil’s Lake State Park as part of their trip to Wisconsin Dells (one of Wisconsin’s top tourist hubs). Because of this, Devil’s Lake State Park can get very busy.
So, what’s my advice for managing the crowds?
In general, start early. There are fewer people on the trails early in the morning. I arrived at Devil’s Lake State Park at 8:00 am and immediately hiked the Western Bluffs. I had the trail almost entirely to myself. Just note that early in the morning, the trail can still be covered with morning dew and rain from the previous day, making the rocks very slippery.
At 10:00, I went and hiked the Grotto Trail, Devil’s Doorway, and a small section of the Eastern Bluffs. Wow, there were so many more people on the trail! Now, instead of stopping to catch my breath and watch my footing, I was having to stop to let other people through. What a different two or three hours makes.
So, if you want to hike at Devil’s Lake and don’t want to share the trail with loads of other hikers, hike early.
Additionally, consider the day of the week. If you can, I recommend visiting on a week day. You’ll still need to share the trail, but you’ll avoid plenty the majority of the crowds that come up for the weekend.
Entrance Fees for Devil’s Lake State Park
A one day entrance ticket costs $13 for vehicles with Wisconsin license plates. For out-of-state plates, a one day pass costs $16. As a note, entrance fees for Devil’s Lake are higher than all other state parks in Wisconsin. This is the most popular state park in Wisconsin, so it has the highest fees.
If you plan to visit multiple state parks in Wisconsin, an annual pass can be a great value. For residents of Wisconsin, an annual pass is $28. Out of state visitors will pay $38. If you plan to visit at least four state parks in one calendar year (three for Wisconsin residents), the annual pass is worth it.
Just a note that the annual passes are incredibly sticky. Do not peal the sticker until you are ready to place it. You will not be able to move it once it sticks to your windshield. I don’t know what the Wisconsin DNR puts on their stickers, but wow are they strong.
How to Get to Devil’s Lake State Park
Devil’s Lake State Park is located just south of the city of Baraboo. The park is about 30 minutes south of Wisconsin Dells and one hour north of Madison. To get here, you’ll need to have your own vehicle as there is no public transportation to Devil’s Lake.
When to Visit Devil’s Lake State Park
Devil’s Lake State Park can be visited all year round, but if you want to enjoy the lake summer will be your best option. For those wanting to hike, I’d recommend late spring, summer, and fall. Note that summers will have the most tourists, especially on weekends. Make sure to plan ahead in order to beat the crowds.
Nearby Devil’s Lake State Park
Devil’s Lake State Park is very close to Wisconsin Dells which is a major tourist hot spot in Wisconsin. In Wisconsin Dells, known as “The Dells” to Wisconsinites, you’ll find loads of water parks (it’s the waterpark capital of the world), plenty of restaurants, boat tours, and so much more. The Dells are a destination themselves and Devil’s Lake makes an easy day trip.
Also nearby is Baraboo, which is home to the Circus Museum. The Ringling Brothers were from Wisconsin and formed their famous circus here.
A bit further north is Mirror Lake State Park. You’ll find more hiking here, but honestly I wasn’t super impressed with many of the hikes I did here (although I did like the trail around Echo Rock). If I’m being honest, I’d argue the main draw for Mirror Lake State Park is Ishnala Supper Club. Wisconsinites love our supper clubs and Mirror Lake is the only state park to have a supper club. It gets very busy so arrive early if you want to dine here.
Final Thoughts
Devil’s Lake State Park is Wisconsin’s most popular state park for a reason. It has some excellent hiking options, which can sometimes be difficult to find in Wisconsin. Hike the bluffs for incredible views, but make sure to plan ahead for crowds. However, don’t let the crowds deter you. A visit to Devil’s Lake State Park is worth it.
Continue Your Adventure
Illinois: Chicago is full of fun things to do. Beyond the museums and good food, don’t forget to spend some time exploring the river.
Iowa: Caves? In Iowa? Yes, Maquoketa Caves State Park is fun to explore and makes an excellent stop on any road trip.
Nebraska: Omaha is surprisingly fun to explore with its interesting museums and fun shopping areas.