Devil's Lake State Park

Camping

Devil’s Lake State Park is one of the most popular and scenic recreation areas in Wisconsin. The park features a 374-acre lake with tall, pine covered bluffs overlooking the east and west shores. It is a beautiful and unique geologic setting that draws visitors from all over the Midwest. Scenic trails run through mature hardwoods and whispering pines along the ridgelines. Numerous overlooks provide fantastic panoramic views of the lake and the high bluffs on the opposite shore. The south end of the East Bluff Trail features unique rock formations and fantastic views of the wide valley to the southeast. Altogether, there are 29 miles of trails of varying difficulty ranging from easy to strenuous.

There are two main day-use areas, the ‘North Shore’ and the ‘South Shore’, both feature expansive day-use areas with swimming beaches and picnic areas shaded by pines and huge hardwood trees. The North Shore is the more popular of the two. Both the North Shore and South Shore offer concessions and rentals in historic buildings built in the CCC era. Concessions include hot food, refreshments, groceries, ice, basic camp items, souvenirs, clothing, and hats. Rentals include canoes, kayaks, rowboats, and paddleboats.

Camping

Three family campgrounds offer a total of 468 individual campsites, and a group campground with 9 sites that can accommodate a total of 240 campers. Due to the popularity of the park, reservations are strongly recommended. Sites 1-10 are the only first-come, first-served campsites, five other sites are held for campground hosts. 453 individual sites are reservable online, and the 9 group sites must be reserved by phone (or in person). There are 42 double-sites where normal individual-site rates apply. Two teepee campsites have 4 padded beds in each teepee. Contact the park office for more info. An RV dump station (free for registered campers) is located at the north end of the park near the main exit.

CAMPGROUND MAPS RESERVE A CAMPSITE

All three family campgrounds are in the ‘North Shore’ area of the park. However, none of the campsites are within visible distance of the lake. The Quartzite Campground is the closest, about 0.3 mile from the north shore beach. The southwest end of the Northern Lights Campground is about 0.5 mile from the north lakeshore and is closest to the East Bluff Trailhead. The Upper Ice Age Campground is 0.7 mile from the north lakeshore and the Lower Ice Age Campground is about a 1.0-mile walking distance.

Quartzite Campground

The Quartzite Campground has 100 individual campsites (sites 1-100) in an area that was once a 9-hole golf course, so many of the sites have minimal shade. All sites are available for tent and RV/trailer camping (back-in only, length varies). The sites at Quartzite generally allow the most maneuverability for RV vehicles and trailers among the three campgrounds at Devil’s Lake. 75 sites are electric including one site that is accessible with a paved driveway, and easy access to an accessible shower and restroom. 10 sites are first-come, first-served. 89 sites are reservable and one site is the campground host. There is a shower building with heated showers (individual stalls), running water and flush toilets. An RV dump station is located at the east side of the campground and is free for registered campers. The Quartzite Campground is open year-round.

Northern Lights Campground

The Northern Lights Campground has 143 individual campsites (sites 104-246). Many sites are in a hardwood forest with partial to full shade, while others are in an open area with no shade. All sites are available for tent and RV/trailer camping (back-in only, length varies). 71 sites are electric including two sites that are accessible with paved driveways and easy access to an accessible shower and restroom. 141 sites are reservable and one site is the campground host. There are four shower buildings with heated showers (individual stalls), running water and flush toilets. An RV dump station is located near the northwest exit of the campground and is free for registered campers. The Northern Lights Campground is open from mid-April through mid-October.

Ice Age Campground

The Ice Age Campground is separated into two areas, Lower Ice Age and Upper Ice Age. The Lower Ice Age in an has 90 non-electric, individual campsites (301-390) including one site that is accessible with a paved driveway and easy access to an accessible shower and restroom. The campground is in a mixed hardwood and pine forest and most sites offer at least partial shade. All sites are available for tent and RV/trailer camping (back-in only, length varies). 89 sites are reservable and one site is the campground host. There is a shower building with heated showers (individual stalls), running water and flush toilets.

The Upper Ice Age has 135 non-electric campsites (401-535) in a densely wooded area. All sites offer plenty of shade and this campground is a favorite for tent campers. Two sites are accessible with a paved driveway and easy access to an accessible shower and restroom. All 135 sites are available for tent and RV/trailer camping (back-in only, length varies). All sites are reservable and one site is the campground host. There is a shower building with heated showers (individual stalls), running water and flush toilets.

The Ice Age Campground is open from mid-April through mid-October. A concession building is located near the entrance to the Lower Ice Age Campground with food, groceries, ice and firewood for sale.

Group Campground

The Group Campground is on South Lake Road in the ‘South Shore’ area of the park, about 0.7-mile walking distance from the swimming beach and picnic area. There are nine designated group sites. G1 can accommodate up to 60 people and G5 has a maximum occupancy of 40 people. The other seven sites allow up to 20 campers per site. The group sites cannot be reserved online. To reserve one or more group sites, call the park office at 608.356.8301.

CAMPGROUND MAPS RESERVE A CAMPSITE
Trails & Places
Season

The Northern Lights and Ice Age Campgrounds are open from mid-April through mid-October. The Quartzite Campground is open for winter camping with a single water source and vault toilets. All dump stations and running water facilities (shower buildings) are open from mid-April through mid-October. Online reservations are available from April through November and may be made up to 11 months in advance.

Registration

The campgrounds are very popular so making reservations is highly recommended. If you arrive on a Thursday, Friday, or Saturday during the summer without a reservation, the campground may be full with a first-come, first-served waiting list. All campers must register at the north shore Visitor Center and the campsite must be occupied by 11 pm. The staffed Visitor Center is open during the summer from 8 am to 11 pm daily, and from 8:30 am to 4 pm daily during the spring, fall, and winter. If you’re camping during the off-season and the Visitor Center is closed, use the self-registration kiosk located next to the Visitor Center. All campers be finished setting up by 11 pm.

Campground Stats
  • Total Number of Sites: 479
  • RV & Tent Campsites: 468
  • Tent Only Campsites: 9 (group sites)
  • Quartzite Campground: 100
  • Northern Lights Campground: 143
  • Ice Age Campground: 225
  • Group Sites: 9
  • Teepee Campsites: 2
  • Reservable Campsites: 462
Campground Amenities
  • Drinking water (hand pump)
  • Accessible flush toilets
  • Accessible vault toilets
  • Accessible heated showers
  • Concessions, grocery & firewood ($ Northern Lights CG)
  • Garbage & recycling
Campsite Amenities
  • Electric Hookup: 146
  • Non-electric: 333
  • Fire ring
  • Picnic table
  • Max Capacity: 6 people per family campsite
  • Group Site Capacity: 20 people at 7 group campsites
  • Group Site Capacity: 40 people campsite # G5
  • Group Site Capacity: 60 people at campsite # G1
RV & Camping Trailer Info
  • RV/Trailer Dump Station: Yes
State Park Amenities
  • Staffed Office
  • Drinking water (hand pump)
  • Accessible Flush toilets
  • Accessible vault toilets
  • Heated showers
  • Picnic areas (reservable shelters, tables, grills)
  • Pet picnic area
  • Children’s playgrounds
  • Swimming beaches
  • Firewood ($)
  • Boat landing
  • Accessible trails
  • Garbage & recycling
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  • Pets Allowed? Yes
  • Wisconsin State Park Pet Policies*
Concessions & Rentals
  • 3 concession buildings
  • Hot food, soft drinks, ice cream, candy, ice, firewood ($), gift shop, souvenirs
  • Rentals (canoe, kayak, SUP)
State Park Recreation
  • Picnicking
  • Hiking
  • Mountain biking
  • Rock climbing
  • Nature center
  • Interpretive programs
  • Historic & Cultural Site
  • Devil's Lake (374 acres, max depth: 47 feet)
  • Swimming beach
  • Boating (electric motor only)
  • Canoeing & kayaking
  • SUP
  • Fishing
  • ⥾ Panfish (abundant)
  • ⥾ Largemouth Bass (common)
  • ⥾ Northern Pike (common)
  • ⥾ Smallmouth Bass (present)
  • ⥾ Trout (present)
  • ⥾ Walleye (present)
  • Devil's Lake contour map
  • Lake Bottom: 50% sand, 30% gravel, 20% muck
Managing Agency
  • Devil's Lake State Park
  • S5975 Park Rd.
  • Baraboo, WI 53913-9299
Local Gas & Services
  • Baraboo is 2 miles away
    (restaurants, grocery, supplies, convenience stores, gas & services, laundromats)
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  • Wisconsin Dells & Lake Delton are 15 miles away
    (restaurants, grocery, supplies, convenience stores, gas & services, laundromats)
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  • Distances are from the campground entrance.
    An asterisk* indicates an external link.