Fall color season at Devil’s Lake State Park and throughout the Baraboo Hills usually begins in mid to late September, with the best color often arriving sometime during the first three weeks of October. The exact timing changes from year to year, and even within the park, one area can reach peak color several days before another.
We update our Devil’s Lake Fall Color Reports weekly on our [Around Devil’s Lake This Weekend] page beginning in September, with current observations from the park and surrounding Baraboo Hills, plus photos and notes on how the season is progressing.
Weather, rainfall, temperature, tree species and other factors all influence when leaves change and how vivid the colors become. The Minnesota DNR offers a useful explanation of the science behind fall color and why peak timing can be difficult to predict.
For a broader look across Wisconsin, you can also check Travel Wisconsin’s Fall Color Report, which uses local reporters around the state. Keep in mind that statewide reports provide a useful regional picture, but conditions around Devil’s Lake can vary considerably from one location to another.
Where to look at Devil’s Lake State Park
Fall colors come on first on Devil’s Lake State Park’s north shore, usually around the north shore picnic area. Then, as the season progresses, the East Bluff Woods & East Bluff trails will provide amazing colors, followed closely by the West Bluff. Lastly, the South Bluff will change; however, there are no trails on the South Bluff. Click here for the park map. During peak colors, check out the Johnson Moraine Trail, and for easy walking, try the Grottos Trail on the south shore of the lake.
Where to look in the Baraboo Hills
When we’re getting close to “peak”, the best places to go see fall color is on the many country roads that travel through the hills. We’ve put together a couple of nice scenic drives that are especially colorful. CLICK HERE for that information, including maps. During peak color, you’ll want to check out our two nearby natural areas: Pewit’s Nest & Parfrey’s Glen; both are total knockouts in peak color. Baxter’s Hollow State Natural Area & Durward’s Glen Retreat are also worthwhile visits for more amazing colors and photo ops.
Where to “Bike” the color
Looking for a family-friendly bike ride to take in the fall colors? Look no further than the 400 State Bike Trail, located just 20 minutes from Devil’s Lake State Park and with a trailhead in the town of Reedsburg. For another great option, consider biking the Sauk Prairie Recreation Area section of the Great Sauk State Trail, which also offers great views of the changing leaves.
Scenic Drives
If you want to witness the beauty of Wisconsin’s fall colors from the comfort of your car or bike, we have some scenic road trip suggestions that will take you from Baraboo into the winding rural routes and Rustic Roads of the Baraboo Hills region, before bringing you back to Devil’s Lake State Park just in time for supper. These drives are great for a top-down summer cruise, but are at their best when the fall colors are at their peak!
Annual Halloween Hikes!
Mirror Lake State Park Fall Candlelight Hike 2026 – Saturday, October 17, 2026, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Calling all Nature Detectives! Join the State Park Staff and the Friends of Mirror Lake for a fun family evening at the park as we locate clues along the easy 1-mile candlelit trail to help find out who our Mystery Guest is.
The hike starts at the beach.
The event is free, but a vehicle admission sticker is required.
Devil’s Lake State Park Halloween Hike 2026 – Saturday, October 24, 2026, 5:30 – 8:00 p.m.
The Friends of Devil’s Lake invite you to our annual Halloween Extravaganza on Saturday, October 24 at the Rock Elm Shelter on the North Shore. From 3 to 5:30 p.m., we’ll have free pumpkin carving and kids’ crafts (this year’s theme is Mammoths) with a special guest, Monty the Ice Age Trail Mammoth. As dusk settles, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., join us for a torchlit hike with a Jack-o-Lantern and costume parade, where we’ll line up the carved pumpkins to light the way along a one-mile family-friendly trail. Costumes are encouraged, and after the hike, everyone is welcome around the campfire for music, s’mores, hot cocoa, and more, with special guest Campfire Kevin providing classic campfire tunes.
The event is free, but a vehicle admission sticker is required.
Fall Color Drive
Enjoy a 4-minute drive down Devil’s Lake State Park’s north shore entrance road, well known for its amazing fall colors…