Devil’s Lake State Park
Baraboo, WI
A clear lake between 150 m quartzite bluffs, with the East Bluff and Balanced Rock trails climbing over boulder fields. Wisconsin’s busiest state park: arrive early in summer; a vehicle admission sticker is required.
Devil's Lake State Park is Wisconsin's largest state park, near Baraboo, Wisconsin. It opened in 1911 and covers 9,217 acres, or about 37 square kilometres. Around the 360-acre lake, rock walls of the Baraboo Range about 150 metres high rise up, their age estimated at 1.6 billion years.
The park has almost 50 kilometres of hiking trails, including a stretch of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. Rock formations include Balanced Rock and Devil's Doorway, shaped by frost weathering. At the lake there are two swimming beaches and two boat ramps; fishing, canoeing, kayaking and diving are allowed. Climbing the rocks is possible with a permit.
Three campgrounds, some with electric hookups, showers and a dump station, are available. More than a million visitors come every year, so it pays to arrive early, especially in summer. Please check the park administration for current entrance fee information.
- Nearest town
- Baraboo, WI
- Category
- Nature & parks
- GPS
- 43.4260, -89.7310
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July–August. Cold, short days in December–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Sources
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
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Campsites nearby
- Cedar Hills CampgroundCampsite15 mi from Devil’s Lake State ParkTentsCaravansDrinking waterShowersDogs allowed
- Camp BrandenburgCampsite17 mi from Devil’s Lake State Park
All campsites in Wisconsin · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Devil’s Lake State Park?
Devil’s Lake State Park is in Baraboo, WI, at GPS 43.4260, -89.7310. It is about 14 mi from Wisconsin Dells.
Can you camp near Devil’s Lake State Park?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Cedar Hills Campground, about 15 mi away; within 25 mi there are 2 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Devil’s Lake State Park?
Devil’s Lake State Park is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Baraboo Hills and Wisconsin Dells and Acorn signs, horse-drawn buggies and sandstone gorges – by camper from Lake Michigan through the Driftless Area to the Wisconsin Dells.
What is there to see near Devil’s Lake State Park?
Places worth a stop nearby: Circus World (3 mi), Parfrey’s Glen State Natural Area (5 mi), Mirror Lake State Park (10 mi) and Taliesin (26 mi).
When is the best time to visit Devil’s Lake State Park?
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July–August. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)