Devil’s Lake State Park is best known for its swimming beaches, towering quartzite bluffs, and ancient rock formations. Waterfalls are not what most visitors come for, but they do exist if you know where to look.
Yes, Devil’s Lake has waterfalls. Several, in fact. They are ephemeral — seasonal cascades that flow during snowmelt or after extended periods of heavy rain, typically at their best from late winter through early spring. You won’t find them on the main trail maps. You have to know where to look, and when.
Two of the most visited waterfall destinations nearby are Parfrey’s Glen State Natural Area and Pewit’s Nest State Natural Area, each covered on their own pages. What follows are the waterfalls found within the park itself.
Black Bear Falls
Black Bear Falls sits in the southwest corner of the park, in a remote area known as Pine Glen.
The falls drop roughly 20 to 30 feet from the top of a quartzite cliff into a boulder-strewn slope before feeding a small stream below. It is part of a short series of falls along the same cliff face, with additional small waterfalls visible just north and south of the main drop.
Access is limited, and the approach is rugged. To reach the area, drive to the end of Burma Road, an unpaved, winding route, then hike southwest and descend into a steep gorge. The land immediately to the south is owned by the Ho-Chunk Nation and is not open to the public.
Come prepared. This is not a developed trail area.
December Falls
December Falls is located along the Ice Age Trail / Roznos Meadow Trail, on the north side of South Shore Road.
This is one of the more approachable waterfalls in the park. The trail is moderately challenging but well-established, climbing toward the Uplands Trail along the bluff. The falls drop about 15 feet before sliding over weathered stone and disappearing beneath the talus slope below.
When it is flowing, you will likely hear it before you see it. December Falls tends to draw the most attention in early spring and after several days of steady rain — the same conditions that bring it to life.
This section of trail sees less traffic than the main bluff routes, which makes the experience feel quieter and more remote than hiking other trails within the park.
Last updated: May, 2026.