When to go
Weather, crowds, and what the season changes about the trip.
Spring
Cool to mild, with wet trails and fast-changing conditions around the lake.
Pack Rain shell, grippy footwear, and layers for bluff-top wind.
Summer
Warm and busy, with swimming, paddling, packed lots, and high campground demand.
Pack Sun protection, water, swim gear, and an early parking plan.
Fall
Cooler hiking weather and strong color on the bluffs, usually best from late September into October.
Pack Warm layer, headlamp for shorter days, and footwear for leaves on rock.
Winter
Cold and quiet. Quartzite campground stays open, while water systems and many facilities are seasonal.
Pack Insulation, traction, and a realistic plan for limited services.
Top things to do
East Bluff and West Bluff trails
The signature hiking loop, with steep quartzite climbs, lake views, and classic overlooks like Devil's Doorway.
Ice Age National Scenic Trail
A through-line across the park for hikers who want more mileage than a simple beach-and-bluff day.
North Shore and South Shore beaches
The easiest summer payoff: swim, paddle, picnic, or use the lake as the cool-down after a bluff hike.
Anchor the day around East Bluff and West Bluff trails
Check road and trail status before committing to the high-country version of the plan. For one day in Devil's Lake State Park, make East Bluff and West Bluff trails the non-negotiable, add Ice Age National Scenic Trail only if the first stop runs clean, and keep North Shore and South Shore beaches as the flexible finish.
- 1Start with East Bluff and West Bluff trails: The signature hiking loop, with steep quartzite climbs, lake views, and classic overlooks like Devil's Doorway.
- 2Add Ice Age National Scenic Trail: A through-line across the park for hikers who want more mileage than a simple beach-and-bluff day.
- 3Use North Shore and South Shore beaches as the optional finish, not as a reason to rush the whole day.
Plan your trip
Turn Devil's Lake's conditions into water, pack, and sleep-system decisions.
Build around conditions
Let season, elevation, and weather set the plan.
Plan your trip
4 quick tools, already seeded for Devil's Lake State Park. Tune the numbers around temperature swings, footing, layers, and how much margin the route needs.
What to pack
Start with the gear decisions this park changes: footing, weather, camping, and water.
Kit Authority
Devil's Lake State Park packing list
0 of 22 packed. Check items as you pack, then take this list to the store, trailhead, or campsite.
Pack planning
Decide what Devil's Lake State Park asks of your kit before you start checking boxes.
Use this as a constraint check while you are still shaping the trip. The active checklist becomes useful once your route, dates, and sleep plan are set.
- First constraintHydration and exposureWater, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, Navigationmap, downloaded GPS, or a GPS watch, 3 more
- Route realityFooting and tractionHiking boots, Hiking socks, Trekking poles
- Load choicePack and carry systemDaypack
- If overnightSleep and shelterTent, Sleeping bag, Sleeping pad
Checklist mode
22 items, grouped for the trip you are actually taking.
- Dates and season are set.
- Primary route, campground, or lodge is chosen.
- Water, footwear, and overnight needs are sized.
One researched pick
The first gear decision for Devil's Lake
A stable daypack is the one purchase that organizes water, layers, food, first aid, and the small safety margin.
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THE DAY-HIKE PICK
Osprey Talon 22
- Volume
- 22 L
- Weight
- 2 lb 1 oz (945 g)
- Back Panel
- AirScape foam with ventilation channels
- Hipbelt Pockets
- 2 zippered
- Hydration
- Compatible up to 3 L reservoir (sold separately)
- Warranty
- All Mighty Guarantee (lifetime repair or replace)
The Talon 22 is the daypack you see on the trail more than any other for good reason: it packs in a padded hipbelt, adjustable torso harness, and dual hipbelt pockets into a 22-liter package that handles loads up to 20 lb without complaint. Owners across hundreds of Amazon ratings consistently cite its adjustability and durability as standouts.
- Adjustable torso fit covers a wide range of body sizes
- Padded hipbelt and dual hipbelt pockets at this size are rare
- At 2 lb 1 oz it runs heavier than ultralight rivals for the same volume
Best for
Hikers who want a proven all-around daypack with solid load support, plenty of adjustment, and a warranty they can actually use.
Gear for Devil's Lake
The buying guides that match what Devil's Lake asks of your kit, with our current top picks across budget and use case.
Where to stay
Camp inside the park if you can get a site, because parking and weekend traffic are the main friction points. Quartzite is the practical year-round option, Northern Lights has wooded electric sites, and Ice Age is the quieter non-electric tent and pop-up zone. Hotels and rentals in Baraboo, Sauk City, and Wisconsin Dells work when camping is full.
Camping reservations
Camping reservations
Reserve Devil's Lake camping before you plan the weekend around it.
Every standard campsite at Devil's Lake is reservable, and the park is busy enough that camping should be the first locked decision for summer, fall-color weekends, and holiday trips.
Reviewed June 8, 2026
Booking window
Wisconsin state park camping reservations are required and can be made same day or up to 11 months before the planned occupancy date.
- Campers must make a reservation before setting up on any site.
- Standard campsites at Wisconsin state parks are reservable, not first-come standard sites.
- Holiday weekends and peak-season weekends should be treated as high-demand booking windows.
Where to book or verify
Use the Wisconsin State Park System reservation portal, or call 1-888-947-2757.
Official DNR campground descriptions, seasons, maps, and rules.
Check for federal campground, backcountry, tour, and permit inventory tied to this park.
Campgrounds to know
Quartzite campground
Details- Booking
- Same day to 11 months ahead through the Wisconsin reservation system.
- Season
- Open year-round.
- Sites
- Electric and non-electric family campsites, with the most open RV-friendly layout.
- About one-third mile from the lakeshore. Best first check for RVs, electric sites, and winter camping.
Northern Lights campground
Details- Booking
- Same day to 11 months ahead through the Wisconsin reservation system.
- Season
- Typically closes in October and reopens around April.
- Sites
- Electric and non-electric sites, including the park's wooded electric campsites.
- About one-half mile from the lake. Good for campers who want trees and electric options.
Ice Age campground
Details- Booking
- Same day to 11 months ahead through the Wisconsin reservation system.
- Season
- Typically closes in October and reopens around April.
- Sites
- Non-electric sites, with lower and upper sections north of County Road DL.
- About one mile from the lake. Best fit for tents, pop-ups, and a quieter non-electric setup.
Getting there and practical info
Plan the handoff from arrival to shuttle.
Parking, pedestrian entrances, and shuttle timing decide how calmly the first morning starts.
Getting there
Get to Devil's Lake State Park, then remove the first-morning friction.
- Access rhythm
- Plan the last mile
- Region
- Wisconsin
Arrival note
Devil's Lake sits just south of Baraboo, about an hour north of Madison and roughly two hours from Milwaukee.
Car strategy
A car is the practical way to reach the park and move between the north shore, south shore, campgrounds, and nearby Baraboo services.
Pair this with lodging: sleep where the park transfer is simple, especially if your route needs an early start.
Can you photograph here? Permit and drone rules
Wisconsin relaunched a state film office (Film Wisconsin) in 2026 for incentives, not permits; the DNR's $50 per-property Commercial Use Permit is what photographers actually encounter in state parks.
- Permit
- Usually fine for personal shoots; commercial or large productions can need a permit
- Drones
- Legal under FAA rules; commercial drone work requires FAA Part 107
- Land
- Yes: photographing people and property visible from public space is legal in the US
From our photography sister site, Aperture Authority. Verified 2026-07-01.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a camping reservation at Devil's Lake State Park?
Yes. Wisconsin DNR says camping reservations are required, and Devil's Lake campsites must be reserved before you set up. Reservations can be made same day or up to 11 months ahead.
Which Devil's Lake campground should I choose?
Quartzite is the practical first check for RVs, electric sites, and year-round camping. Northern Lights is better for wooded electric sites. Ice Age is non-electric and better for tent or pop-up campers who want a quieter feel.
Can you camp right on Devil's Lake?
No. DNR notes that campsites are not within sight of the lake. Quartzite is about one-third mile from the lakeshore, Northern Lights about one-half mile, and Ice Age about one mile.