| Devil's Lake State Park | |
| Wisconsin State Park | |
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Devil's Lake from the West Bluff
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| Country | United States |
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| State | Wisconsin |
| County | Sauk |
| Location | Baraboo |
| - elevation | 1,329 ft (405 m) [1] |
| - coordinates | |
| Area | 9,217 acres (3,730 ha) |
| Founded | 1911 |
| Management | Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources |
| Unit of | Ice Age National Scientific Reserve |
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Location of Devil's Lake State Park in Wisconsin
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Devil's Lake State Park is a state park located in the Baraboo Range in eastern Sauk County, just south of Baraboo, Wisconsin, USA. This 9,217-acre (3,730 ha)[2] state park is known for its 500-foot-high (150 m) quartzite bluffs along the 360-acre (150 ha) Devil's Lake, which was created by a glacier during the last ice age approximately 12,000 years ago. The sand at the bottom of Devil's Lake is thought to be deposited by glaciers. However, the Baraboo Hills are much older; they are approximately 1.6 billion years old and were once part of the Baraboo Range which is thought to have been taller than the Rocky Mountains. Loess covers most of the hills and forms the parent material of a brown silt loam soil. During the autumn, the park's brilliant foliage makes it a popular attraction. The lake is surrounded by a mixed conifer-deciduous forest. Its scenic beauty along with its proximity to the Wisconsin Dells has made it one of the most popular of Wisconsin's state parks for both day use and overnight camping; the park receives over 1.2 million visitors annually.
Both the north and south shores have food courts and modern restroom facilities. The park has trails ranging from handicapped accessible paved trails to difficult hiking or bouldering trails. There are also designated climbing areas for all levels of experienced rock climbers. There are three popular campgrounds at the park. There are many quartzite rock formations, such as Balanced Rock and Devil's Doorway, throughout the park. Effigy mounds are also located throughout the park. The park contains approximately twelve miles of the 1,200-mile (1,900 km) Ice Age Trail.
Parfrey's Glen, Wisconsin's first state natural area, is managed by the Devil's Lake State Park and located just east of the park.
Nearby attractions include Devil's Head Resort, Cascade Mountain Resort, and the Circus World Museum.
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The exhibits at the park's nature center focus on the geology and natural history of the area. Public nature programs are offered in the summer, as well as evening programs on Saturday nights in the Northern Lights Amphitheater.
North Glacial Moraine is well covered by the north shore developments. The parking lots, concession building and the picnic shelter all sit atop the moraine. This moraine forms the northern border of Devil's Lake.[3] The moraine is approximately 80 feet (24 m) thick.[4]
Southeast Glacial Moraine - is located between the East Bluff-South Face and the South Bluff. The Group Camp is located atop the moraine. It is best scen from the Roznos Meadow parking area along State Route 113.[3] The moraine is approximately 130 feet (40 m) thick.[4]
The park has several American Indian mounds. Most are extremely small. Across the parking lot from the nature center are effigy mounds built in stylized animal shapes, such as a lynx and a sparrow. In front of the concession building is a linear mound, one of several geometric mounds in the park. These mounds were used as an ancient burial site by early North Americans. The nature center offers specific courses designed to teach individuals about the history of the effigy mounds.[5][6]
The Baraboo Range National Natural Landmark is 50,700 acres (20,500 ha) in southern Wisconsin. It is an exhumed mountain range consisting of the largest contiguous forest in southern Wisconsin.[7]
There is a total of 41 miles (66 km) of hiking trails in the park. At the highest point, you are 500 feet (150 m) above Devil's Lake. Be watchful for loose footing and step drop offs.[8]
The geology of the Baraboo Hills surrounding Devil's Lake makes it one of the premier rock climbing areas in the Midwest, with climbs of varying difficulty. The Baraboo Hills are primarily granite and quartzite, which is solid enough to climb. Most outcroppings in the region, especially in the Driftless Area, are composed of sandstone or limestone, which are too brittle to climb safely.
Citations:
See also:
Bagg, Alan R. (1978), 50 Short Climbs in the Midwest http://openlibrary.org/works/OL6693475W/50_short_climbs_in_the_Midwest, p. 63, 139
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