If you’re heading to Devil’s Lake State Park on a summer weekend, know what to do: If you arrive late, you’ll likely face long lines and limited parking.
Baraboo Park—Wisconsin’s most popular park—has around 2.5 million visitors annually. While it’s always been popular, visitor numbers skyrocketed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources urges people to be prepared for crowds from May through October, and even suggests considering another property to visit.
But with a little advance planning, you can experience the beauty of Devil’s Lake without feeling like you’re squashed together with thousands of others who had the same idea. Here are the DNR’s top tips for an enjoyable visit.
- Avoid visiting on weekends and holidays in summer and autumn.
- If you are traveling on the weekend, arrive early in the morning or late in the afternoon.
- Purchase a park pass before your visit to get through the park entrance quickly. (Starting in 2025, Wisconsin state parks parking passes will be valid for a full year after purchase and will no longer expire at the end of the calendar year.)
- Try another part of the park, which is nearly 10,000 acres in size. Steinke Basin, Roznos Meadow, and other Ice Age Trail parking areas will take you to other scenic areas of the park. The most popular parts of the park, however, are the north and south shores of the lake and the hiking trails surrounding it.
More: Devil’s Lake is the jewel of Wisconsin’s natural parks, but it is in poor condition and difficult to protect.
Madeline Heim is a staff reporter for Report for America covering environmental issues in the Mississippi River basin and Wisconsin. Reach her at 920-996-7266 or [email protected].
