So you’re thinking about camping at Devil’s Lake State Park? This complete guide will be the perfect resource for you!
We’ve created a proper Devil’s Lake State Park guide that is guaranteed to help you find the best campsites, help you make plans for exciting activities during your visit, and help make sure that you won’t miss out on a thing this beautiful park has to offer you!
What to Expect At Devil’s Lake State Park
First off, it’s important to remember that Devil’s Lake State Park is an extremely popular campsite located in Baraboo, Wisconsin. You will find three different campgrounds within this state park, with over four hundred campsites to choose from, so take your pick!
Are you thinking of bringing a group? You will be happy to know group campsites are available as well!
Devil’s Lake State Park is known to stay busy, so you’ll need to have patience when visiting this park. Our personal recommendation is to plan way ahead to get the most out of your visit!
Camping
At Devil’s Lake State Park, you’ll find three available campgrounds located along the North Shore.
These campgrounds are The Quartzite Campground, The Northern Lights Campground, and The Ice Age Campground.
Are you bringing a group? You can find Group Camping options within the South Shore of this state park.
Best Camping Spots
Quartzite Campground
This campground is known for being the most open and grassy of the three choices, with a mix of scattered shade trees! You will find both electric and non-electric campsites at this campground.
Quartzite Campground is best for large RVs. This campground will additionally offer you a playground, a modern shower building, and a dump station!
Northern Lights Campground
This campground is a perfect choice for wooded electric sites; however, there are still non-electric sites available.
Northern Lights Campground will provide you with a playground, an updated shower building, a dump station, and a filling station!
If you need accommodations for disabilities, this camping area is for you.
Ice Age Campground
You will find only non-electric campsites at this campground; therefore, this is a perfect spot for tent campers. Pop-up campers and RVs are still allowed if you want to camp off the grid.
Ice Age Campground offers two restrooms with running water, showers, and toilet buildings.
This campground uniquely has two sections:
The Lower Ice Age Campground has a mix of wooded and open sites in a pine grove.
The Upper Ice Age Campground has an entirely wooded camping area.
Planning Ahead / Booking
Devil’s Lake State Park’s campsites were known to run on a first-come, first-serve basis, but recently this state park will allow you to plan ahead, as you can now make reservations! So, if you prefer to plan, this is a perfect option for you!
When visiting Devil’s Lake State Park, expect summer weekends, holidays, and often even during the week for campsites to be sold out and the park full of campers.
In fact, on peak weekends, you can expect long lines and full lots by 10 am. So bring your patience!
Which Campsites Should You Avoid?
If you have a camper joining your group that needs disability accommodations, you’ll want to choose the Northern Lights Campground.
If you prefer shaded areas, you will want to choose The Quartzite Campground.
Proximity to Highways
Ice Age Campground is about one mile from the day-use picnic area and beach, but it’s a little ways from Highway 113.
Devil’s Lake State Park’s Group Camp is a fifteen-minute walk along the Group Camp Trail from the other campsites and one and a half miles away from Highway 113.
Quartzite Campground’s entrance is closest to South Shore Road, but not directly on the road.
Luckily, all of these campsites are great locations far enough away from highways and streets!
What Type Of Camping Do They Offer?
You can expect to find RV Camping, Pop-up Camping, and Tent Camping at all of these sites! Each site will offer you different things for each type of camping, so plan accordingly.
Only the Quartzite Campground and Northern Lights Campground will offer power and water hookups.
You will find there’s a little bit of a journey from each campsite to visit the lake and beach access.
Things To Do At The Park
Park-Sponsored Activities
Beach Access: Devil’s Lake will offer you two large beaches, picnic areas complete with charcoal grills, and reservable and non-reservable shelters.
Rentals: Kayaks, canoes, paddleboats, and stand-up boards are all available to rent and enjoy in the park.
Hiking: You can rock climb and take bouldering lessons as well as guided backcountry hikes and step-on guide services. There are twenty-nine miles of hiking and mountain bike trails to explore on your camping trip!
Fishing: You will find plenty of fishing spots along Devil’s Lake!
Bird Watching: Make sure to print out this bird watching guide to view the many species of birds that live within this state park: Bird Checklist of Devil’s Lake
Wildlife
Enjoy Viewing Wildlife and Bird Watching?
Devil’s Lake State Park has outstanding Nature Centers and Programs to explore! This state park is home to about thirty-eight species of mammals, such as white-tailed deer.
You will find one hundred and fifteen different species of birds in this park; a complete bird-watching guide is available above. If that’s something you enjoy, definitely check it out!
In addition, there are many amphibians and reptiles to watch, including timber rattlesnakes.
Vegetation / Geography
In Devil’s Lake State Park, you will find shaded wooded areas and open spaces. You can personally decide which type of campsite fits your needs!
During your visit, make sure to enjoy the beautiful scenery and explore the long trails; they are such a wonderful experience!
Reviews
Devil’s Lake State Park has an almost perfect 5-star rating. A few things past visitors have said about this park:
“Every trail has something special to offer; it’s completely gorgeous and is a must-see!”
“You will be so happy you took the time to come and visit this park; it won’t ever let you down as a great camping spot location for activities within the park as well as the surrounding areas!”
Wrapping Up Devil’s Lake State Park
Do yourself a favor and add Devil’s Lake State Park to your camping list this season.
We are so sure you’ll enjoy the many activities this campground offers, such as spending the day on or around beautiful Devil’s Lake and the surrounding beaches and exploring nature with several available outdoor activities!
This park is such a beauty, don’t miss out! We can’t wait till you get to experience this park!
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