Devil's Lake State Park is already Wisconsin's most visited state park. Now it's 100 acres…
With Memorial Day weekend coming up fast, I’m deep into putting together this week’s full Weekend Notes. Those go up Thursday, as usual, over on the Around Devil’s Lake This Weekend page.
But a few things came up that are worth mentioning right now, before the weekend arrives.
Watch your car.
It’s “Smash & Grab” season. Don’t leave money, wallets, purses, or anything of value in your vehicle, especially in the outer parking lots at Devil’s Lake. I know, easier said than done when you’re traveling. Do what you can. Cars do get broken into out there, and stopping at Walmart for plastic bags and duct tape is not the vibe you’re going for on a holiday weekend.
Know your poison ivy.
It’s out there, and it’s common along many park trails right now. Know what it looks like before you go. If you want the fuller picture on what else is out there, our Scary Plants guide covers the other things worth watching for on the trail. And if you want a refresher on the general “watch where you sit” principle, this one’s worth a quick read too.
Steinke Basin parking situation.
The Steinke Basin lot is closed. Parking along the road isn’t a good option unless you can get completely off the pavement. Here’s what actually works:
- Hike elsewhere. There are approximately 27 miles of other trails in the park.
- Park in the Upper Ice Age Campground and hike the Ice Age Trail east, then over to Steinke Basin via the Johnson Moraine Trail.
- Park at the Ice Age Trail lot south of the park along Hwy 113. You’ll have immediate access to the Uplands Trail or the Steinke Basin Loop. Fair warning: that lot holds maybe 10 cars on a good day. Plan accordingly this weekend.
- Park in the Northern Lights Campground, hike east past the old amphitheater, around the “closed trail” signs, and take that (unwisely, IMO) abandoned trail right out to Steinke Basin.
One more thing on garlic mustard.
It’s everywhere right now, which is normal for late May. If you feel the urge to pull some, that’s appreciated — but please don’t leave it on the trail. Here’s why that actually makes things worse.
Every Thursday Through Summer: Around Devil’s Lake This Weekend
Starting this week and running through the peak season, we update Around Devil’s Lake This Weekend every Thursday with current trail conditions, the weekend weather outlook, park programs, local events in Baraboo and Sauk County, and anything else worth knowing before you head out.
Bookmark it. Check it on Thursday. Spend less time searching and more time outside.
Tomorrow’s update will be a full Memorial Day weekend briefing.
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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