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Devil's Lake
- Introduction
- Autumn Color
- Camping
- Current Conditions
- Field Trips
- History
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- Maps
- Nature
- Picnicking & Shelters
- Safety & Security
- Things to Do
- Trails
- Winter
Devil's Lake State Park Conditions
Conditions as of Tuesday, November 3, 2009:
Relax – it’s the Off Season
The bluffs almost disappear behind early morning fog.
DNR Photo by Rich Hesed
If you want to experience Devil’s Lake without all the people, now is the time. The slowest time of the year is between the end of fall color season and before the cross-country skiers and ice fishing anglers arrive. You can wander the trails and hardly see any other person. While crunching autumn leaves underfoot, you can enjoy long distance views through the woods, and it’s not so bitterly cold that a simple walk becomes a frozen chore. Some days will be delightful with a calm blue sky and temperatures in the 50’s.
2010 Vehicle Stickers
The new 2010 Vehicle Admission stickers will be available in early December, hopefully by December 1 (call first, to be sure they are available). The stickers will be valid for the remainder of December 2009, and for all of 2010 at any Wisconsin State Park or State Forest. State park stickers make great Christmas gifts, and keep on giving throughout the whole year. Special gift enclosure cards and envelopes are available when you purchase a 2010 sticker at the park.
Camping
Fourteen campsites (11 electric) will remain reservable and snow-plowed through the winter. Until significant snowfalls come, the remainder of Quartzite Campground (86 sites, about half of them electric) will remain open as non-reservable, first-come, first-served campsites. Water facilities (showers, running water restrooms, water taps, vehicle dump/fill stations) are now turned off for the winter. One winterized water tap and non-flush restrooms are available for campers.
Northern Lights and Ice Age campgrounds are closed for the season.
Hunting in the Park
Deer hunting is allowed in limited areas of the park for the regular nine day gun deer hunting season, November 21 - 29, and continuing into late bow/muzzleloader season through December 9 and late bow season December 14 – January 3. Hunting is not allowed in the open campgrounds, in the picnic areas, near the popular bluff trails or near the lake. Hunting is allowed by permit only, but these are not limited and there is no charge. Permits are available at DNR service centers, at the park, and online.
Nature Center
New lichens and moss grow on the quartzite boulders.
DNR Photo by Rich Hesed
The Nature Center is closed for the winter.
Trails
Mountain bike trails at Devil's Lake are open. If the trails get muddy after heavy prolonged rains, they may be closed to mountain bikes as long as they remain wet and easily damaged. Bike trails will remain open until the first snowfalls of the season.
Concessions
All concession operations and services are closed for the season, and will open about the first weekend in May, 2010.
Parfrey's Glen
Parfrey’s Glen is open again after being closed due to the floods of June 2008.
Conditions at Parfrey's Glen Natural Area
More Information
Devil's Lake State Park is open every day of the year from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. The Visitor Center at the north shore is open daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, but possibly later hours on Friday nights, Saturdays, and Sundays.
Road Conditions [exit DNR]
Weather [exit DNR]
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For campsite availability, call (888) WI PARKS ((888) 947-2757) or check the Web. For other information, ask Devil's Lake State Park, (608) 356-8301.
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