April Hike, Paddle and Camp Out at Devil's Lake State Park

Anticipating a break in the April showers, we rushed home Friday night to head out for our first spring camping trip. Hard to say what we enjoyed the most. I loved my sunrise solo hike around Devil's Lake on and off the Ice Age Trail. This is one of the prettiest hikes in Wisconsin, but these trails tend to be jam-packed with tourists. Best times to go are early mornings, weekdays, and off-season.




Other highlights included getting out for a paddle for the first time this year and taking the family up the East Bluff Trail to watch the sunset. As for the hammock we gave Daddy for Christmas this year, our daughter staked claims on it the way kids do. Daddy lost his new toy.

Devil's Lake State Park is located 3 miles (4.8 km) south of Baraboo, WI. It contains approximately 29 miles (46.7 km) of hiking trails. The trails that ascend the bluffs are of a moderate to strenuous level of difficulty, the Tumbled Rocks Trail is easy. A Vehicle admission sticker is required for visiting Wisconsin State Parks. The sticker may be purchased annually, or for short visits a short term sticker may be purchased. For maps of the hiking trails, and more information about Devil's Lake State park, visit the Wisconsin DNR website.

View from the East Bluff Trail

View from the south facing portion of the East Bluff.

  

Balanced Rock.

 

Trail Blaze.

View from the West Bluff.

Time to paddle.

Blue birds, so fantastic to see after the long winter.

The trails around Devil's Lake State Park.

HIKING DETAILS

Trail Conditions - Good, a bit wet and muddy on the south half of the East Bluff portion.

Distance Covered Today - 5 miles (8 km).

Difficulty - Moderate to strenuous level of difficulty up and down the bluffs.

Location - Started from the Northern Lights Campgroup at Devil's Lake State Park.

Highlights - Views of the lake and bluffs, abundant waterfowl and song birds, a loon calling across the lake, deer sightings.