Devil's Lake State Park to Re-open Friday, May 1st

Effective, May 1, 2020, nearly all Wisconsin State Parks properties will be open. Annual admission passes and/or trail passes are required. New hours for all properties will be 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. All properties will close weekly on Wednesday.

Camping will remain closed through May 26, 2020 – full refunds will be issued to those with reservations.

The following properties will remain closed for the health and safety of the public, staff, and property integrity:

• Gibraltar Rock State Natural Area

• Pewit’s Nest State Natural Area

• Parfrey's Glen State Natural Area

• Dells of The Wisconsin River State Natural Area.

There will be no opportunity to purchase admission passes on-site. If you haven’t already, please purchase via phone at 1-888-305-0398.

Capacity will be limited at all properties to prevent overcrowding.

All facilities, including restrooms and drinking fountains, will be closed.

We will continue to monitor property conditions and make adjustments as needed to limit the spread of COVID-19, protect natural resources and provide safe and accessible opportunities for Wisconsinites to enjoy the outdoors.

Visitors are encouraged to follow Leave No Trace principles, maintain social distancing and choose opportunities for outdoor recreation that are in their local community to help limit the spread of COVID-19.

For more specific details, visit: https://dnr.wi.gov/covid-19/

Recap: Members Brainstorm Meeting

The Friends of Devil’s Lake hosted a member’s only brainstorm meeting for members to share their hopes, ideas, and talents for our beloved state park. Members received notice of the meeting in the Winter issue of the “Advocate”, via email, and on social media. If you missed the meeting, and would like to contribute, don’t worry.  We will have additional opportunities to contribute your ideas, and you can always contact us at friendsofdevilslakestatepark@gmail.com.

The brainstorm meeting was held at the City of Baraboo Municipal Building at 101 South Boulevard on Wednesday, February 12, 2020 from 5:00-8:00 pm.

The meeting was held to share information on the process of updating the future master plan of the area including Devil’s Lake State Park and to formulate recommendations the Friends will be making to the State at a later date on behalf of the Friends group.

Park Superintendent Steve Schmelzer explained the importance of updating the Devil’s Lake State Park master plan since the last update of the master plan occurred on February 25, 1982.

The categories focused on at this meeting were trail management, amenities, recreational activities, solutions to current issues, and other items (misc).  After placing suggestions up for each category, each member was allowed to go through each suggestion to help rank the suggestions based on priority per category.

To all of our members who joined in on the brainstorm meeting, thank you for your valuable input, and helping the Board in prioritizing the suggestions!

#friendsofdevilslake #devilslakestatepark

Devil's Lake Interpretive Center Public Meeting Set for April 3, 2019

A new facility is being proposed for Devil's Lake State Park and we want your input! The Friends of Devil's Lake State Park, Devil's Lake Concession Corporation, and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources have embarked on a plan to design and build a state-of-the-art Multi-Use Educational and Outdoor Recreation Center at Devil's Lake State Park.  

This new facility will include interpretive exhibits, educational spaces, and administration space for the park staff along with a cafe, gift shop, and public gathering spaces.  Site development around the new building will include outdoor classrooms, nature-based play and recreation areas, and interpretive spaces.  The proposed Center will also include elements to encourage park visitors to explore the entire Wisconsin State Park system.

Please join the Friends of Devil's Lake State Park and its working committee to hear more about this project at a public meeting on Wednesday, April 3, 2019, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Baraboo City Hall, 101 South Blvd, 2nd floor, Baraboo, WI 53913.  You will have opportunities to provide comments and ask questions.

For more information, please contact the Friends of Devil's Lake at fodlboard@yahoo.com.  Thank you.