The loons are back. Early this morning, their calls were echoing off the bluffs at…
Devil’s Lake State Park is already Wisconsin’s most visited state park. Now it’s 100 acres larger, and the land that made this expansion possible had a narrow window to get here.
How the Deal Came Together
In 2025, The Conservation Fund — a national nonprofit that purchases at-risk land with high conservation value before it can be developed — stepped in to acquire what had been one of the largest privately owned parcels still sitting inside the park’s boundaries. The organization held it while the permanent protection deal was worked out.
That deal is now finalized, and the land is now permanently protected as part of Devil’s Lake State Park.
What the Property Looks Like
The new acreage sits to the north or above the park’s existing footprint. The photos, provided by Skillet Creek Media, offer some of the first views of the new acreage. From the southern field, the Baraboo Hills roll out in every direction. The potential for a full panoramic viewpoint is there. Right now, the land shows its agricultural past: a small parking area, some farm remnants, no facilities, and no developed trails.
Getting to the best views requires a walk uphill from the parking area. It’s not a maintained trail experience yet, and the walk isn’t for everyone. (Ticks are prevalent as well.) But for those willing to explore it in its current form, the payoff is significant.
We’ll be sharing more on-the-ground photos as we spend more time up there.
Why This Matters Beyond the Views
Devil’s Lake State Park, which is Wisconsin’s busiest state park, drew nearly 2.3 million visitors in 2025. Given today’s politics and funding, protecting land inside the park boundary, especially a parcel this size, this close to the bluffs, is not a routine event.
The acquisition also opens the door to a potential future segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. That 1,200-mile route already passes through the park, tracing the edge of the glacier that shaped this landscape roughly 15,000 years ago. Adding this property to the park could eventually extend that connection.
A Note on the Funding Behind It
The Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program has funded conservation and outdoor recreation projects across Wisconsin since 1989. It’s a bipartisan program with a long track record, and it’s the mechanism that made this acquisition possible.
It’s also worth knowing: the program is currently at risk of not being reauthorized by the state legislature. If that doesn’t happen, this type of state conservation funding could end in 2026. This Devil’s Lake deal is a good example of what the program makes possible, and what’s at stake if it lapses.
What Comes Next
For now, the property is accessible but undeveloped. The DNR has not announced a timeline for trail development or facilities. We’ll continue tracking this as plans take shape.
If you want to explore it in the meantime, bring sturdy shoes and realistic expectations. The land is rough, the path is unmarked, and the trash pile hasn’t gone anywhere yet. But the views from the top are truly amazing.
Photos: Skillet Creek Media | Sources: Wisconsin DNR, The Conservation Fund
For nearly 30 years, 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 out of 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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