The 2024 deer gun season starts this weekend. Here in Sauk County, hunting of one…
OK, so we’re in for a crazy, busy weekend at Devil’s Lake State Park. While it won’t quite be peak color, it will be peak weather, so if you want summer-like conditions with amazing colors all over the place this will be your weekend.
At A Glance
There’s still a lot of green out there. So you won’t have those big yellow/burgundy bluffs that you’ll see in a week or two, but if you don’t want to bet on the weather, this weekend will be the one to hit to be sure you get good weather and lots of color.
What Trail?
This is a tricky time for color on the trails. Because the trails often go into the deep forest, they tend to get color later than more open sunny areas. Within Devil’s Lake State Park, would recommend checking out Steinke Basin and the East Bluff Woods Trail. Outside of the park, the best color I’ve seen this week is at Baxter’s Hollow State Natural Area. (Keep in mind that both Parfrey’s Glen and Pewit’s Nest are CLOSED.)
By Car
If your goal is to tour the color around the Baraboo Hills by car, the best roadway shows maybe a week away, but you won’t be disappointed this weekend either. We’ve got some great scenic drive suggestions and maps right here.
By Bike?
For color this weekend, I’d recommend checking out the 400 State Bike Trail & Elroy Sparta Trails. Remember, Devil’s Lake State Park does not have family-friendly bike trails. The nearest trails for the whole family are the Great Sauk State Trail (Check out our Great Sauk Trail Playlist on YouTube.) which is paved and just a few minutes south of the park and the Baraboo Riverwalk Trail which is just a mile north of the park’s north shore.
Peak?
Probably next weekend will be the “peak” weekend… but as I’ve said many times, “Peak” is a rolling event in the Baraboo Hills. The hills and valleys in our area have a lot of impact on color. When it’s a peak in one part of the bluffs, it’s green in another and done in the next.
Photos
To help you get a feel for the color here’s this week’s collection of snaps taken around Devil’s Lake State Park in the last 2 days processed as little as possible. – Click images to enlarge.
Devil’s Lake Entrance 
Also Devil’s Lake Entrance 
North Shore Parking 
Ski-Hi Road 
North Shore Panorama 
Baxter’s Hollow SNA 
Rural Baraboo Hills 
Durward’s Glen 
Devil’s Lake East Bluff
Crowd Warning
Let me be very clear here. The weather is going to be practically perfect for fall color viewing. The best tip I can give you for this weekend is that if you are planning to come to Devil’s Lake State Park this Saturday or Sunday is that it will be busy. Not just busy, but “BUSY”. 4th of July Busy!
If you hate crowded trails, waiting in lines, or are at all concerned about COVID & social distancing.. this is NOT your weekend to come to Devil’s Lake. Park staff and the wardens will be overwhelmed. They may not able to help you in a timely manner. It’s just the way it is.
More
If you’re OK with being out in a crowd this weekend, you can also attend the Fall Fair On The Square in Downtown Baraboo featuring 140 artists, crafters, food, and live music. Learn more here.
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.
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