Devil's Lake is Wisconsin's most visited state park — a 10,000-acre natural treasure where 500-foot quartzite bluffs rise above a 360-acre glacial lake that offers swimming, kayaking, and fishing without an outflow. The park anchors the Baraboo Hills, a crescent of ancient Precambrian rock that survived the last glaciation and now contains some of the most dramatic terrain in the Midwest flatlands. Two facing bluffs (East Bluff and West Bluff) are connected by a flat lakeside trail, creating a natural reunion loop: easy walkers take the 1.8-mile flat lakeshore path while active members climb the talus slopes to bluff-top views.
For reunions, Devil's Lake offers one of the most diverse accommodation options in Wisconsin state parks: 423 campsites (electric and primitive), 16 state-owned vacation cottages in the adjacent Dells of the Wisconsin River area, and an enormous inventory of vacation rentals in Baraboo (5 miles north) and Wisconsin Dells (18 miles northeast). The park's group campsite area (Group Camp) accommodates large organized groups with reserved fire rings and privy facilities — contact Wisconsin DNR to reserve. The Baraboo area adds the Circus World Museum and International Crane Foundation as family-friendly day trips.
Where it is
Things to do (with the family)
Hand-curated. Every entry links to its official source so you can plan without guessing.
East Bluff Trail (summit loop)
2-mile loop climbing the East Bluff to panoramic views over the lake and West Bluff. Talus boulders require careful footing — one of the more challenging trails in Wisconsin. Spectacular at sunrise.
Official source ↗Swimming at the North Shore beach
Lifeguarded sandy beach on the north shore — the most accessible lake access point. Concession stand, bathhouse, and wheelchair-accessible paths. The default gathering point for multi-generational groups.
Official source ↗Flat lakeshore trail
1.8-mile paved trail around the south shore connecting North and South beach areas — flat, suitable for strollers and grandparents, with views up at both bluffs the entire way.
Official source ↗Kayak and canoe rental
Rentals available at the concession area near the North Shore beach. The lake is calm and enclosed — no motor boats allowed. Perfect family paddling with the bluffs as backdrop.
Official source ↗West Bluff Trail + CCC shelter
Slightly easier than the East Bluff but equally rewarding. The 1930s Civilian Conservation Corps stone shelter at the top is a popular family photo spot with lake views.
Official source ↗Circus World Museum (Baraboo)
5 miles north in Baraboo — the original Ringling Bros. winter quarters, now a National Historic Landmark with live circus performances in summer. Outstanding for families with kids 4–14.
Official source ↗International Crane Foundation (Baraboo)
5 miles north — a conservation center housing all 15 crane species, with guided tours of the outdoor bird yards. Unique, educational, and accessible for grandparents.
Official source ↗Ice Age National Scenic Trail section
The trail passes through the park along the glacial moraine. The Parfrey's Glen Natural Area (4 miles east) has a lush creek canyon with moss-covered walls — an underrated short hike.
Official source ↗Rock climbing the quartzite bluffs
Devil's Lake is one of the Midwest's premier rock-climbing destinations — hundreds of routes on both bluffs. Multiple Baraboo-area guide services offer lessons and guided climbs for groups.
Official source ↗Natural Bridge State Park (nearby)
30 minutes southwest — a 35-foot natural sandstone arch, the largest natural arch in Wisconsin. Free park, 10-minute walk from the parking lot. Outstanding add-on for an adventurous afternoon.
Official source ↗Find more things to do for your Devil's Lake State Park reunion
The picks above are general. Inside the Reunly app, Rosi tailors local activities, meals, and printables to your actual dates, group size, ages, and budget — and saves them straight to your reunion plan.
Good for
- Active multi-generational groups (trail options for every fitness level)
- Midwest camping reunions (423 sites, group camp area)
- Families with kids 6–16 (swimming, kayaking, Circus World)
- History and nature combinations (Circus World + Ice Age Trail)
- Budget-conscious reunions (park camping rates, Baraboo rental homes)
Practical logistics
- Nearest airport
- Madison (MSN) — 55 min drive · Milwaukee (MKE) — 1.5 hr drive · Chicago O'Hare (ORD) — 2.5 hr drive
- Group lodging
- Park campgrounds (423 sites, group camp area — reserve through Wisconsin DNR) · Baraboo vacation rentals (Vrbo, 5 min to park) · Wisconsin Dells resorts (18 min northeast) · Ho-Chunk Gaming & Hotel (5 min from park)
- Park fee
- $8–13/day vehicle admission (out of state higher). Annual Wisconsin State Park pass $28 for residents.
- Best months
- June–August (swimming, all facilities open) · September–October (fall color, smaller crowds) · May (wildflowers, before summer rush)
- Camping reservations
- Reserve through Wisconsin DNR reservations system — summer weekends fill 11 months in advance (the maximum booking window). Group camp requires contacting the park office directly.
- Groceries
- Baraboo (5 miles north) has a Festival Foods supermarket and a Walmart. Wisconsin Dells (18 miles NE) has full grocery options.
- Accessibility
- North Shore beach and the lakeshore trail are accessible. Bluff trails involve steep, uneven terrain — not accessible. Campground has accessible sites.
When to go
Late June through August is the peak window — warm lake water (mid-70s), lifeguards on duty, all rentals and concessions operating. Memorial Day weekend and the Fourth of July are the busiest; book camping 6+ months ahead. September is excellent — fall color begins, crowds thin, and the bluff hikes are more comfortable. May has wildflowers and uncrowded trails.
Best for your group size
Small group · 10–25
Groups of 10–25 do best in 4–6 adjacent campsites or a Baraboo vacation rental. One shared kayak rental day covers the lake.
Medium group · 25–60
Groups of 25–60 should reserve the Group Camp area plus supplement with Baraboo rental homes or Ho-Chunk Hotel for non-campers.
Large group · 60+
Groups of 60+ need a Wisconsin Dells resort as the primary base with day-trips to the park, since on-site capacity is campsite-limited.
Sample 3-day Devil's Lake family reunion
A starter agenda you can copy into Reunly's Schedule and customize for your group.
Day 1 — Arrival & Lake Day
- Set up camp or check into Baraboo rental homes
- 2 PM North Shore beach — swimming, kayak rentals, lakeshore trail walk
- 5 PM camp cookout / group dinner at the campsite
- 8 PM campfire and stargazing
Day 2 — Bluffs + Baraboo
- 8 AM camp breakfast
- 9 AM East Bluff Trail — active adults (2 mi, 500 ft gain)
- 9 AM flat lakeshore trail + beach — grandparents and young kids
- 12 PM picnic at North Shore beach
- 2 PM Circus World Museum in Baraboo (families with kids)
- 2 PM International Crane Foundation (adults who prefer birds)
- 7 PM group dinner at Baraboo restaurant
Day 3 — Natural Bridge + Farewells
- 9 AM Natural Bridge State Park (30 min SW) — easy 10-min walk to the arch
- 11 AM final swim at North Shore beach
- 12 PM break camp / checkout and travel home
Reunion organizer tips
Reserve campsites or the group camp area as early as possible — Wisconsin DNR opens reservations 11 months ahead and summer weekends fill within hours of opening. The Group Camp requires direct contact with park staff.
Assign trails by fitness level before arrival. The bluff trails (East and West Bluff) are genuinely strenuous on uneven talus — save them for active adults. Everyone else takes the flat lakeshore path to the swimming beach.
Use the North Shore beach as the all-morning anchor. Pack a cooler, set up in the sand, and let the kids swim while grandparents walk the flat trail. Reconvene at noon before splitting for afternoon activities.
Add a Circus World Museum afternoon for families with kids under 14 — it's 5 miles away and has summer circus performances that become a shared reunion memory.
How Reunly helps you plan it
Reunly is the all-in-one app made for family reunion organizers. Free to start. No credit card. Cancel anytime.
Smart guest list
Drop in any spreadsheet — Rosi (our AI) reads multi-sheet, color-coded family groups, even handwritten exports. RSVP, dietary, T-shirt, paid status all in one row.
Open in Reunly →Public RSVP link
Share one link with the whole family. They RSVP per event (Friday BBQ, Saturday dinner) without making an account. You see live counts.
Open in Reunly →Budget that adds up
Track estimated vs. actual, who paid, who still owes. Auto-creates per-guest fee rows from your registration cost.
Open in Reunly →Day-by-day schedule
Friday welcome BBQ, Saturday photo, Sunday brunch — with location, meal flag, and per-event RSVPs.
Open in Reunly →Name tags + printables
Avery 5160 sheets color-coded by family, programs, welcome packets, packing lists — auto-filled from your data.
Open in Reunly →Rosi the AI helper
Stuck on a reminder email? A budget? A timeline? Click Rosi anywhere in the app — she drafts it from your live data.
Open in Reunly →Plan your Devil's Lake State Park reunion with Reunly
Free to start. Build your guest list, share an RSVP link, track payments, and print name tags — no spreadsheets.
Frequently asked
How crowded is Devil's Lake on summer weekends?
Very — it's the most visited state park in Wisconsin. Parking lots fill by 9 AM on summer weekends, and the beach gets packed by 11 AM. Come midweek if possible, or arrive by 8 AM on weekend mornings. Camping groups already on-site avoid the parking problem entirely.
Are the bluff trails at Devil's Lake family-friendly?
The East Bluff Trail is strenuous and involves scrambling over talus boulders — not suitable for young children or anyone with mobility limitations. The flat lakeshore trail and North Shore beach area are completely family-friendly and accessible.
Can we camp as a large family group at Devil's Lake?
Yes — the park has 423 campsites including electric sites and a dedicated Group Camp area for organized groups. Reserve sites through Wisconsin DNR reservations 11 months in advance for summer weekends. The Group Camp requires direct contact with park staff.
What is the best nearby lodging if we don't camp?
Baraboo (5 miles north) has the best vacation rental options via Vrbo. Wisconsin Dells (18 miles northeast) has the most resort options including waterpark hotels. Ho-Chunk Gaming & Hotel is 5 minutes from the park entrance.
Other reunion-friendly spots nearby
Helpful planning guides
The complete family reunion checklist
12-month, 6-month, and day-of checklists organizers actually use.
Read the guide →Family reunion budget guide
How to estimate, track, and split costs without spreadsheets.
Read the guide →Family reunion on a $2,500 budget
A real budget breakdown for a destination reunion under $2.5K.
Read the guide →