As our climate changes and visitor numbers climb, Devil's Lake State Park's bluff trails see…
It’s not peak yet. There’s some nice color around Devil’s Lake State Park and around the Baraboo Hills as well. Certainly, there are spots to get a good photo, but if you’re waiting to be surrounded in color, it’s going to be a week or two yet… So let’s dive in!
Note: All photos were taken on Oct. 6.
Fall Colors This Weekend
As you can see from the top photo, the color is amazing in some areas. Mostly individual trees around parking lots and city streets. Really within the park, the best colors are right around the north shore day-use area.
Color near the Nature Center. 
Splashes of color, lots of leaves!
The popular fall color spots, such as the north shore entrance road are still pretty green. Here’s a current look at the entrance road. (Below.)
When it comes to “wide panoramas” of color, you should expect to wait a week or so yet. Here are a few more photos from around the area to show you what I mean.
South Shore 
South Shore Road 
North Shore, West Bluff/Lagoon 
The north face of the Baraboo Hills
Now with that said, a determined photographer will still get plenty of good shots with a bit of effort. The shot below was taken from the parking lot at Steinke Basin.
Prognostication?
It’s hard to predict “peak” color any year around our area. Getting peak colors AND great weather is even harder! I always recommend that you come whenever you can and when the weather suits you. Don’t get too committed to the arbitrary “peak”. But if you’re going to make me predict, I’d say we’re still close to 2 weeks away. One thing I am seeing this year is that lots of trees seem to be just going yellow and dropping their leaves quickly. A dry season can do that. That tends to lead to a softer “peak” since many trees have dried out and dropped their leaves early… But again, it’s a tough call.
Best Plan?
This weekend is usually one of the busiest of the year at Devil’s Lake State Park. The weather looks unseasonably warm on Saturday & Sunday so I expect that trend to continue! This means that you want to arrive in the park early to get decent parking, especially on the north shore. Keep in mind that the park is systemically understaffed. On busy weekends things can get a bit crazy. Bring your patience. Also, Downtown Baraboo is putting on their annual Fair on the Square this Saturday as well. So if you do plan to visit this weekend, get to the park early for parking. Don’t assume you can leave and come back.
More Upcoming Events
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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Thanks for the update! Looking forward to the next one. I am staying at Devil’s Lake this weekend.
Color is coming on. The next report will be Thursday, Oct 13)
Thank you for the color report about the Devil’s Lake. I have a question. I was there last Oct and hiked East Bluff Trail. The view is spectacular. This fall I want to do West Bluff. Is there some overlooks on West Bluff Trail I also can have panoramic views of the fall color? Thanks
Hi, Sure, when you hike the west bluff trail there will be many overlooks along the way. I can say that it won’t be peak this weekend though. It is turning but there’s still a lot of green remaining right now.
Then, will it be too late if I go on Oct 23?
I can’t say it will be too late. There’s color now and there will be some next week too. I just don’t think we’ll have a big “peak” this year. So anytime this week and next would be ok. I’d think there will still be some color next weekend too.