September! - Devil's Lake State Park Area Visitor's Guide

It’s September! We made it through the summer! Now, the first question on everyone’s mind (Besides, “How busy will it be on Labor Day Weekend?”) is “When will we see peak fall colors?!?!??!” Well, not yet.

Fall Colors

Peak fall colors here in the Baraboo Hills arrive sometime in mid-October. Of course nature doesn’t play by our rules so it can really come any time in October depending on the weather. Oh, and in the Baraboo Hills different locations “peak” at different times! That’s why we put together our Fall Color Information Page for you. Go to this page for lots of detailed info and links relating to fall colors right here in our area. But like I said, each year is different, so over on our Skillet Creek Facebook Page, we will soon be posting our regular weekly fall color reports to let you know how it’s going and where to see some awesome colors. Yup, there’s always lots of photos as well. Be sure to like the page and interact regularly so you’ll get updates.

YES, But will it be Busy Labor Day Weekend?

Um, yes… Yes, it will. People like to think the park will quiet down now that schools are open. Well, that’s really not true at Devil’s Lake, not on weekends anyway. (In fact, Columbus Weekend is one of the park’s busiest too.) Labor Day is always a crazy busy weekend, especially if the weather is good. Right now we’re looking at a mix of sun and clouds with a high of 78f on both Saturday & Sunday. Campgrounds are booked up as always, etc.. Now, while the park has been much more loosy-goosy in regulating capacity the last few weeks, they are still blocking roads on the north shore when it gets full. South shore, well, that’s been a bit crazy. You can expect the north shore to fill by 10 am, maybe even 9 am. South Shore will just become a madhouse soon afterward.

Daily Passes?

Updated Sept 3rd – Daily trail and park admission passes will be sold at all state park properties starting Friday, September 4th.

Social Distancing?

NO. The truth is that you are not going to be able to social distance on the beaches or in the picnic areas when the park is busy. Social distancing is hard if not impossible to do on narrow trails such as the Tumbled Rocks, Balanced Rock, Potholes, and CCC. Also, people tend to gather up on trailheads, around maps, and at restrooms as well. If you are at all concerned, bring your mask or bypass the park.

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So there you have it. It’s September, but the fall colors are a month away, and the park will still be very busy! Be safe out there!

Derrick Mayoleth

For nearly 2 decades the Skillet Creek blog has focused on 3 main goals; To inspire you to visit and explore the Devil’s Lake region, to help you get the most your visit by sharing tips, events, and other helpful information. Lastly to advocate for our environment & wildlife and talk about how we can keep our natural areas amazing now and into the future! That last goal can sometimes cause controversy, but it’s the only way we can accomplish the first two. – Derrick Mayoleth, Owner.