Devil’s Lake State Park sits at the center of more than 25 publicly accessible parks and natural areas within 30 minutes of Baraboo, Wisconsin. The most visited are Parfrey’s Glen, Pewit’s Nest, Gibraltar Rock, and Natural Bridge State Park, each within a short drive and offering geology, trails, and scenery distinct from Devil’s Lake itself.
Properties range from developed state parks with camping and restrooms to remote state natural areas with no trails or facilities. A Wisconsin State Park Pass is required at several locations. This page lists all properties by category, with links to individual pages covering access, trails, and what to expect.
Camping, canoeing, hiking, biking, and skiing. About 20 minutes north of Devil’s Lake near Wisconsin Dells.
Wisconsin’s first state natural area and the most visited SNA outside Devil’s Lake. Deep sandstone gorge, 0.8-mile trail to a waterfall pool. No pets. Open 6 a.m.–8 p.m.
A 30–40 ft gorge carved by Skillet Creek, similar to Parfrey’s Glen but less visited. Trail to gorge mouth and cliff overlook. No climbing or cliff jumping. Open 6 a.m.–8 p.m.
200-ft sheer quartzite cliffs at 1,234 ft elevation. Sweeping views of the Wisconsin River valley and Lake Wisconsin. On the Ice Age Trail. Busy on summer weekends.
A 35-ft sandstone arch hidden in thick forest—the largest natural arch in Wisconsin. Day use only, no camping, not staffed. The Raddatz rock shelter beneath the arch was used by native peoples over 10,000 years ago.
A small 244-acre park 1.5 miles north of Wisconsin Dells. Wooded campsites, 1-mile trail through sandstone bluffs and pines. Managed by Mirror Lake State Park.
Day passes and annual pass fees apply. Verify current rates before your visit—fees are subject to change. Sauk County Parks & Recreation →
Camping, swimming, and nature trails on White Mound Lake. One of Sauk County’s larger and more developed parks.
Picnic area and fishing pier on the Baraboo River. A quiet spot for a low-key outing.
Picnic area and swimming beach on Lake Redstone. Popular with families on warm weekends.
Sauk County park. Details coming.
County-managed forest land. Details coming.
Quick Map – Hiking Trails Within 30-minute drive of Baraboo/Devil’s Lake State Park
A flat 1-mile gravel loop along a scenic gorge. One of the clearest surface exposures of Baraboo Hills geology in the region. Easy walk, rarely crowded.
A 2+ mile nature trail through woods, wetlands, and a rocky stream in a Baraboo Hills designated “Last Great Place.” Uneven terrain; boots recommended. Managed by The Nature Conservancy.
A privately owned, publicly accessible small glen with a stream and wooded walking area. No admission fee.
About 3,400 acres of open prairie and gravel roads on the former Badger Army Ammunition Plant site. A quieter landscape than the bluff trails at Devil’s Lake. Popular for biking, hiking, and birdwatching.
About 1,700 acres of forest, prairie, savanna, and wetlands managed by the Riverland Conservancy. Ten miles of trails, including a 3.2-mile Ice Age Trail segment. Gallus Slough connects to Lake Wisconsin and offers waterfowl watching.
A 5-mile sandstone gorge with cliffs, canyons, and rare plant communities. Public access is limited and complicated—knowing where you are allowed is important before visiting.
Two small bluffs rising 300 ft above the Wisconsin River. Short steep hike to bluff-top views. Canoe and kayak launch at the base. About 25 minutes from Devil’s Lake.
1,010 acres acres with a 2.2-mile loop trail. Surrounded by farmland, extremely quiet—rarely sees other hikers. Road access can be limited in wet or snowy conditions.
Wetland habitat managed by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Observation area and two rough paths through tall grass and marsh. Sandhill cranes, Canada geese, and ducks commonly seen. No formal trails.
Site of the 1832 Battle of Wisconsin Heights and Native American mounds dating to around 800 AD, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Miles of hiking, horseback riding, and cross-country ski trails along the Lower Wisconsin State Riverway.
A 5,499-acre DNR property in the floodplains of the Wisconsin and Baraboo rivers, part of the 16,000-acre Leopold-Pine Island Important Bird Area. Bald eagles, sandhill cranes, and waterfowl commonly seen.
A quiet 52-acre lake about 15 minutes west of Baraboo. Good fishing, a photogenic dam, and a half-day paddling route up Seeley Creek. Minimal facilities—bring your own seating.
Over 1,000 acres of sand barrens and dry prairie owned by The Nature Conservancy. Cactus, bluff overlooks, and a sandy open landscape unlike anywhere else in the region. About 45 minutes southwest of Devil’s Lake.
A 900-ft wide gap where the Baraboo River exits the Baraboo Hills valley. Bluffs rise over 200 ft on each side. Former quarry site reclaimed as prairie; eastern prickly-pear cactus present. About 10 miles east of Baraboo.
Over 500 native plant species, including 20 fern species, along a Class II trout stream. More than 180 bird species recorded. Waterfall. Short trail, but heavy summer overgrowth makes navigation difficult.
169 acres deep in the Baraboo Hills, about 10 minutes from Devil’s Lake. No trails, no cell signal. Wetland plants, rock-rooted trees, and complete solitude. For experienced off-trail hikers only.
A small 72-acre maple-basswood forest a few minutes from Pewit’s Nest. Small parking area, no trails. Exceptional spring wildflowers including hepatica, trillium, and several orchid species.
About 100 acres in a wet, bowl-shaped hollow in the Baraboo Hills. No trails, no parking. Part of a larger protected forest block with Baxter’s Hollow and Pine Hollow SNAs. Old farmstead ruins and pudding stone formations for those willing to push through brush.
Prairie SNA in the Baraboo Hills region. External link: Wisconsin DNR.
Wetland SNA. External link: Wisconsin DNR.
Oak barrens SNA. External link: Wisconsin DNR.
Forested SNA. External link: Wisconsin DNR.
Bluff SNA. External link: Wisconsin DNR.
Part of the Baraboo Hills protected forest block with Pan Hollow and Baxter’s Hollow SNAs. External link: Wisconsin DNR.