Every Thursday, during the peak season, we update this page with a fresh look at the upcoming weekend around Devil’s Lake, current trail conditions, weather outlook, park programs, local events in Baraboo and Sauk County, and anything else worth knowing before you head out. Bookmark it, check it weekly, and spend less time searching and more time outside.
Updated every Thursday for the upcoming weekend.
Weekend of May 30–June 1, 2026
Summer is in full swing at Devil’s Lake State Park. A nice stretch of weather is lined up for the first weekend of the summer hiking season. Mostly sunny skies Friday through Sunday, with highs in the upper 70s to low 80s. No excuses not to go outside.
Trail Conditions
Trails are generally in good shape heading into the weekend, with some sections still running damp from recent weather.
One important heads-up: The Steinke Basin/Johnson Moraine parking area remains closed through approximately early July for reconstruction. Parking along the road is not a viable option. If Steinke Basin is on your list, your best options are parking at the Upper Ice Age Campground (hike the Ice Age Trail, then connect via the Johnson Moraine Trail) or at the Ice Age Trail lot on Hwy 113 south of CTY DL. That second lot holds about 10 cars on a normal day — plan accordingly for a busy early-summer weekend.
Worth noting: There are about 27 miles of other trails in the park.
Weather
The weekend looks clean from start to finish.
Friday comes in mostly sunny with a high near 83° — the warmest day of the stretch. Saturday and Sunday both top out in the upper 70s to low 80s with mostly sunny skies. Calm winds throughout.
Source: NWS Baraboo, WI
Parking & Crowds
Both main lots — North Shore and South Shore — can fill by mid-morning on Saturday and Sunday. If you hope to park in one of these lots, we advise that you arrive by 8 am.
If avoiding the thickest crowds is a priority, the park is noticeably calmer before 10 am on any day, and foot traffic drops sharply past the two-mile mark on any trail. The 7 Ways to Find Solitude at Devil’s Lake page is worth a read if this is on your mind.
Park & Naturalist Programs
Saturday, May 30, brings a full day of programming at the Devil’s Lake State Park
Exploration Station — Fish — Saturday, 10:30 am–12 pm. Hands-on activity station at the park. Good option if you’ve got kids looking for something more than a hike.
Critter Corner — Coyote — Saturday, 1–3 pm. The naturalist program’s Critter Corner series focuses on the wildlife that lives within the park. Coyotes are around the park year-round, and most visitors will never see one.
Big Band at the Lake — Saturday, 6:30–9 pm. The Friends of Devil’s Lake State Park bring live big band music to the park on select Saturday evenings through the summer on South Shore. One of the better ways to end a day at the lake. No cost beyond your vehicle admission sticker, but the Friends group does suggest a $15 per person donation.
See the full schedule details at Devil’s Lake State Park Events
– About the Devil’s Lake State Park Nature Center
Area Events
Kurt Funfsinn at Balanced Rock Winery — Friday, May 29. Balanced Rock is a 5-minute drive from the park, with views of the Baraboo Bluffs from the grounds.
Downtown Baraboo Farmers Market — Saturday, May 30, morning. On the Square, in Historic Downtown Baraboo. About ten minutes from the park and a nice first stop before heading out on your weekend adventures.
Memory Lane Car & Truck Show (ATHS) — Saturday, May 30, 8 am–6 pm. Sauk County Fairgrounds, 700 Washington Ave, Baraboo. The ATHS Memory Lane Car & Truck Show runs Friday and Saturday at the Sauk County Fairgrounds in Baraboo. Free admission, free parking, antique and classic trucks. Saturday at 4 pm, Maggie Mae & The Sawmill Creek Band plays — tickets are $20, available at NAPA Auto Parts in Baraboo or Portage. Seating is limited; bring a chair.
Camping
The state park campgrounds are full for this weekend — sites book up to 11 months in advance, and Memorial Day fills early. If you’re still looking, private campgrounds and area hotels may have availability.
Planning your visit? Start here:
- Trail Conditions & Reports — Current hiking conditions at Devil’s Lake
- Current Conditions — Park notices, beach advisories, and weather resources
- Park Events & Naturalist Programs — Scheduled programs at Devil’s Lake State Park
- Camping at Devil’s Lake — Park campground guide (reservations fill early — private campgrounds nearby are often your best bet)