Devil's Lake Overview - Admission Stickers - Park Hours - Registration - Reservations - Picnic Facilities and Shelters - Biking - Boating - Emergency Info - Firewood - Fishing - Pets - Rock Climbing - Safty Tips - Scuba Diving - Showers - Swimmer's Itch - Swimming

Devil’s Lake Overview
Devil's Lake State Park is Wisconsin's largest and busiest state park consisting of over 9,200 acres with an annual visitation of approximately 1.3 million. Devil's Lake State Park is situated in a range of hills known as the Baraboo Range that is composed of Precambrian quartzite. The Devil's Lake area has long been considered as one of the most aesthetically attractive parts of Wisconsin consisting of scenic cliffs, wooded hills, unique rock formations and Devil's Lake itself. Accommodations at Devil's Lake include 3 family campgrounds with 406 campsites, 9 group camp sites, 29 miles of trails which are used for hiking, mountain biking and skiing, three concessions that rent boats and sell grocery items, picnic areas on both north and south shores, 2 boat landings (electric motors only) and 5 shelters that can be reserved. Devil's Lake State Park is also a National Scientific Ice Age Reserve Unit.

The waters of Devil's Lake comprise 360 acres and are 47 feet deep. The lake offers boating, swimming (no life guards) and fishing that includes trout, bass, northern pike, walleye, bluegills, and other pan fish. The lake lies below towering bluffs that reach 500 feet high and were formed thousands of years ago due to glacial activity.

Be sure to visit the nature center and talk with "Luke Woodswalker" about the unique history of Devil's Lake State Park.

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Admission Stickers
Motor vehicles must have an admission sticker attached to the inside of the windshield on the driver's side before parking.

Prices: Resident Daily - $5.00, Resident Annual - $20.00, Non-Resident Daily - $10.00, Non-Resident Annual - $30.00

A second annual is avaiable at half price. Inquire at the office.

Park Hours
The park is open from 6:00 A.M. to 11:00 P.M. daily. Only registered campers at or in route to their campsites are allowed in the park after 11:00 P.M.

Registration
Campers using individual sites and group campsites must register at the park office in advance.

Reservations
888-WI-PARKS (888-947-2757) www.wiparks.net

Picnic Facilities and Shelters
There are three major designated picnic grounds in the park with water, tables and grills. Two are located on the North Shore and one on the South Shore.

Two enclosed shelters and three open air shelters are available for rental at a cost of $30-$55 per day plus a $4 reservation fee. Reservations accepted starting Jan. 1 each year. Call 608-356-8301 for an application.

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Biking
Bicyclists must use caution and give hikers the right-of-way. Bicycles are allowed on the Ice Age Trail and the connector trail between Steinke Basin and the North Shore Picnic Area. Trails open to bikers are so posted. A bike trail pass is required to ride on these trails, and may be purchased at the Visitors Center.

Boating
Life preservers are required for all boats, including rubber rafts. There are boat launching ramps at both ends of the lake. ELECTRIC MOTORS ONLY!

Emergency Information
Illness or Injury - In case of any injury or illness, contact the park office for directions to hospitals or ambulance service. Doctors and hospital facilities are located in Baraboo three miles north of the park via Highway 123 or 113.

Police - Contact the park office or, if closed phone directly to the Sauk county Sheriff's Department — 911.

Telephone Numbers - Devil's Lake State Park Headquarters: 608-356-8301, Sauk County Sheriff's Department (non-emergency) 608-356-4895 There are pay phones located in the booths at both the North and South ends of the park and in each campground (see Park Map).

Messages - You may have emergency messages sent to you at the park through the park offices.

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Firewood
Firewood is sold in the Ice Age Campgound Store between 7 A.M. and 10:30 P.M., and also at the Chateau during normal business hours.

Fishing
Devil's Lake contains brown trout, walleye and northern pike, bass and pan fish. A fishing license is required for anyone 16 or over, and a trout stamp is required for trout fishing.

Pets
Dogs and other pets are allowed on roads and trails and in other park areas not developed for use, but prohibited in beach, picnic areas and in park buildings. They are also prohibited on guided nature hikes. Dogs must be on a leash no longer than eight feet and under control by their owner. The South Shore day use area and Parfrey's Glen are off limits to pets. Please help other visitors enjoy the park by not leaving your pet unattended and possibly becoming a nuisance. Thank you for being a responsble pet owner.

Rock Climbing
The park is not maintained for rock climbing. Loose rocks may be encountered. Rock climbing at Devil's Lake is at YOUR OWN RISK! Please be careful!

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Saftey Tips
While hiking, stay on the designated signed trails shown on the park map. When you wander off these trails, you do so at your own risk!

Swim with a buddy. Don't swim at night or drive into water of unkown depth.

When boating, do so with an eye toward your safety and the safety of others. Remember a Coast Guard approved life jacket is required.

Always be careful with campfires, gas stoves and heaters.

What may appear to be a tame animal may be ill or posssbily rabid, and sick animals can bite! Leave it alone! Please report too-friendly or too-agressive animals to park personnel.

Never eat berries or plants unless you are certain of their identity. Staying on the hiking trails will lessen your chances of walking through poison ivy.

Keep children away from the fire ring at all times and never leave your fire unattended. Dispose of hot coals in containers provided for that use.

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Scuba Diving
All divers should remember to follow safe established diving practices. Never dive alone or without a "buddy". Diving flags are required.

Showers
Showers are located in the bath houses and campground toilet buildings on the North Shore.

Swimmer's Itch
Swimmer's itch is generally reported here every year. This is a dermititis caused by the penetration of a fluke. It is neither dangerous nor contagious, but it can be uncomfortable.

The site of the penetration is marked be a small red welt. The amount of discomfort varies with the individual. In some people the reaction is barely noticeable, whereas others have severe itching, swelling, and fever. The symptoms ususally subside within a week.

Swimmer's itch organisms are noted in the lake in early summer. Signs will be posted near the swimming areas to warn that the organisms are present.

After the flukes have penetrated the skin, little can be done in the form of effective treatment. Some relief might be obtained through the use of a lotion with additives such as antihistamines and/or local anesthetics.

If you go swimming during the "active" times of the summer, the following precautions will help to minimize swimmers itch: 1) Wear water proof suntan lotion or baby oil; 2) Try to swim when offshore winds are not present; 3) RUB BRISKLY WITH A TOWEL IMMEDIATELY AFTER LEAVING THE WATER; and 4) showering may also help.

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Swimming
Beaches and bathhouses are located at booth ends of the lake. Lifeguards are not provided.

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