Wisconsin's fall colors are amazing, and Devil's Lake State Park is one of the best…
It’s time again to kick off our annual Fall Color Reports! While it’s great to start out with Wisconsin’s Fall Color Map it doesn’t really tell you what’s going on here in the Baraboo Hills with our mix of unique microclimates and varied elevations. As we say every year, the fall colors cross our area like a wave depending on a variety of local factors. knowing what happens where and when will give you the most opportunities for the best pics! So let’s Jump in!
At A Glance!
It’s early and pretty green out there right now. This week you’ll be able to discover a tree or two here and there sporting some colorful oranges and reds which can still make for a good photo. The big rule is, “More sun equals more color” right now. Trees that are around roads and parking lots will generally change first due to extra sunlight and environmental stress. Shaded forest trails will offer the least color right now. Devil’s Lake State Park’s entrance road is the most popular photo spot in the park but it’s green now and generally won’t go full “colorama” until about a week after peak color elsewhere.
Peak?
Peak color around the Baraboo Hills comes sometime in Mid-October. Each year is slightly different, but if you’re throwing a dart for peak weekend, the odds are going to be around the OCT 15th weekend… GIVE OR TAKE A WEEK…
More
If you are thinking about visiting Devil’s Lake State Park this weekend it’s worth noting that this is Badger Trails Weekend, an annual event that means campgrounds and trails will be brimming over with scouts. It tends to be a busy and boisterous weekend at the park. On the upside, it’s also the beginning of the Farm/Art Dtour which I mentioned in the last post. The Art DTour is a great way to get out and enjoy a scenic drive around the Driftless area. (And catch a bit of the early season color!) Also, the Little Eagle Arts Foundation Maa WaKacak Art Studio which is located in the Sauk Prairie Recreation Area, will be hosting a Native Art Marketplace on the weekends during the event, Oct 1 & 2 and Oct 8 & 9. That’s worth checking if you’re in the area.
Photos
Each week I post a selection of photos from around the park and the area to give you a feel for where the colors are at. The “rule” here is that I am taking the photos right out of the camera with little editing so that you can see what the camera sees. Keep in mind that I’m shooting with a DSLR which will still look richer than most cell phone photos.
North Shore Entrance 
Steinke Basin 
South Shore 
Along South Shore Road 
A random branch 
Northern Lights Campground
Wrap Up
I’ll be back with the next Fall Color Check each Thursday through peak color so be sure to check back. Next weekend, there will certainly be more color, so we’ll look a bit more at THE locations and trails you’ll want to visit to see the best colors at that time. We also have more information, recommendations, and other resources on our Fall Color Page here.
See you soon!
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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