Yep, we hear it all the time, “Devil’s Lake is too busy!” or “I don’t even go there in the summer!”. Well, it’s true Devil’s Lake State Park is the busiest state park in Wisconsin and with over 3 million visitors, the park rivals many national parks! (Glacier National Park reported just over 3 million visitors in 2017 as well!) So how do you find some peace and quiet at Devil’s Lake State Park? Here are some suggestions…
1. Come During The Off-Season
The single best way to have the park to yourself is to visit in the late fall, winter and early spring. While the park seems to get busier every year, even in the offseason, your chances of being the only one on the beach in November is pretty high. And really late fall and early spring both offer the best opportunities for wildlife watching as well. In the winter, you’ll always be able to find a secluded trail to snowshoe on. If solitude is your number one goal, come in the off-season.
2. Discover Sunday Thru Wednesday
Devil’s Lake State Park is always going to be busy during the peak season from Memorial Day to Labor Day but you can squeeze in some quiet times. In between the time when the weekend crowds go home, and next weekends crowds arrive, the park is still active, but not “busy”. While you may never be truly alone, you can usually walk through the picnic areas and talk to your friends without having to shout. Sunday afternoons through Wednesday are generally the quietest peak season days in the park.
3. Get Up Early!
So, most people at the park are either on vacation and want to sleep in or have to drive to get here. That means from sunrise until about 10 am the park is pretty quiet, even on weekends. In the early mornings, (Especially on the south shore!) you can still hear the geese on the water as you walk the beach with a coffee in hand. Slowly as the day progresses the morning peace will give way to the din of the day. By noon, your quiet time will definitely be over.
4. Choose the Trail Less Traveled
The East and West Bluff Trails are the busiest in the park. They are, after all, the “showstoppers” with all the iconic views. We used to recommend the Steinke Basin trail for quiet hikes during peak season, but Steinke too is getting more and more popular each year. The trails within the park that offer the best opportunity for hiking solitude would be the Roznos Meadow trail, the Uplands trail and Sauk Point trail which runs from Devil’s Lake over to Parfrey’s Glen. Which leads me to…
5. Hike Further
Amazingly after you cross about the 2-mile mark on any trail, the number of hikers you encounter drops dramatically. This is why the 4-mile Uplands Trail and the 4.5 mile Sauk Point Trail tend to have the least people. The Uplands Trail is a loop, whereas the Sauk Point Trail is a one-way trail and you’d have to either walk in and back or leave a shuttle car at Parfrey’s Glen. Often times, you’ll start off on these trails seeing lots of people, but as you increase your distance your encounters with other hikers will be few and far between. Click Here For A Trail Map | Click Here For Trail Descriptions
6. Love the Rain!
As I write this, the temperature is in the 50s and we’re expecting rain all day. To me, this means hiking weather. Even in the summer, there’s a good chance I can enjoy any trail, including the park’s popular trails, in solitude on a rainy day. Of course, if I’m going hiking in the rain, I have to dress properly to enjoy it. I wear all wicking clothing and have a nice rain jacket as well. I also have to be very mindful of the rocks and the pavement on the East and West bluff trails. Both become extremely slippery when wet. Sections of the Uplands Trail & Steinke Basin can become sloppy, mud-pits in the rain as well. Still, a quiet hike where all you can hear are the raindrops on the leaves mixed with the calling of the crows is pretty special!
7. Be a Stargazer!
Devil’s Lake State Park closes at 11 pm. Still, there is a window between about 9 pm and 11 pm when things really quiet down at the park. You won’t be alone on the beaches, but generally, it’s much more relaxing than the daytime. While we don’t recommend hiking the bluff trails at night, some of the flatter trails such as the Grottos Trail on the south shore are fun flashlight-hiking trails. No, a cougar isn’t going to jump out of the trees. Well, it’s not very likely anyway. Remember though, when hiking at night, take all the same precautions that you would on your city streets at home.
Nights on the Lake?
Here’s a tip – People with fishing licenses are allowed to be out on the lake ALL-NIGHT in their boats! Talk about solitude! They simply have to leave right away once they hit the shore. So, get a fishing license and bring a pole. No one said you had to actively be using it. (Well, that’s my very un-official take on it!)
Bonus! Discover A New Natural Area
Lastly, find some new places to explore! People new to the area are drawn to the “Big 3” Devil’s Lake State Park, Parfrey’s Glen SNA & Pewit’s Nest SNA, but that’s just the beginning. There is Mirror Lake State Park just a few minutes away and Rocky Arbor State Park in Wisconsin Dells as well. What’s more, we have miles and miles of trails nearby including the Merrimac Preserve, the National Ice Age Scenic Trail, the new Great Sauk Trail and a vast mix of other natural areas within minutes of Devil’s Lake. Even on the busiest days, there is always somewhere where you can be alone, or nearly alone on the trails. All you have to do is break out of the usual and explore! You can begin right here!