Devil's Lake State Park 2016 Guide by Madison.com

Devil’s Lake State Park

Official 2016 Visitor Guide

PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER

Stickers & Reservations.... 3 Emergency Information..... 4 Campground Map...... 56-57 Trail/Park Map............ 60-61 Complete Index Located On Page 2

DEVIL’S LAKE STATE PARK • S5975 PARK ROAD • BARABOO, WI 53913 • (608) 356-8301 • www.WIPARKS.net GPS: 43 26.049, 89 44.025 WISCONSIN DEPT. OF NATURAL RESOURCES • PUB-PR-111 2016

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Devil’s Lake State Park

Official 2016 Visitor Guide ADMISSION INFORMATION .......................................................... 3 CAMPGROUND MAPS ............................................................. 56-57 DRIVING TOUR............................................................................58-59 EMERGENCY INFORMATION ......................................................... 4 GROUP CAMP MAP......................................................................... 53 PARK/TRAIL MAP ..................................................................... 60-61 SUMMER SCHEDULE......................................................... 15, 17, 19 Ancient Mounds............................................................................. 34 An Unusual Geology ..................................................................... 29 Badger Army Ammunition Plant.................................................. 37 Bats................................................................................................... 51 Bluff Trail Project............................................................................ 52 Boat Rentals..................................................................................... 38 Concessions..................................................................................... 39 Devil’s Lake Depth Map................................................................. 47 Friends of Devil’s Lake State Park................................................ 27 Go Kayaking.................................................................................... 53 Historical Devil’s Lake Map......................................................... 46 Hunting & Trapping In State Parks ............................................. 30 Is Devil’s Lake Your Special Place?............................................ 26 Kids! Become a Wisconsin Explorer!......................................... 48 Lesser Known Conserved Lands ................................................. 43 Natural Bridge State Park............................................................ 35 Nature Center Activities............................................................... 49 Nature Goes High Tech! ............................................................... 41 Parfrey’s Glen.................................................................................... 9 Park Information in Spanish............................................................ 8 Pet Rules............................................................................................. 3 Picnic Shelter Rentals.................................................................... 11 Program Schedule............................................. 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23 Protect The Trees............................................................................ 31 Steam Trains & Hotels...............................................................44-45 Thar’s Rattlers in Them Hills!........................................................ 33 Turkey Vultures................................................................................ 40 Who Walked The Path Before You............................................... 32 Why is it called Devil’s Lake?....................................................... 55

Published By:

Capital Newspapers, Baraboo, WI

General Manager: Jonathan Denk Graphic Design: Dusty Drew Cover Photo by: Laura Dierbeck

725 W Pine Street West Baraboo, Wisconsin, 53913-1057 Phone: 608/356-1100 • Fax: 608/356-4585 Toll Free Reservations: 800-831-3881 www.bestwestern.com/barabooinn

* Indoor Pool and Hot Tub * Free Breakfast Buffet * Free Highspeed WiFi Don’t forget about our Lounge and Restaurant onsite! Only Five Miles from

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DEVIL’S LAKE STATE PARK

■ IN ORDER TO PROVIDE A SAFE, QUIET AND ENJOYABLE STATE PARK EXPERIENCE, HERE ARE A FEW THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:

ADMISSION STICKERS: Motor vehicles parked inside the park boundary must have an admission sticker attached to the inside of the windshield on the driver’s side before parking. Resident Daily - $8.00

Resident Annual - $28.00

Non-Res. Daily - $11.00

Non-Res. Annual - $38.00

Senior Resident Daily - $3.00 Senior Resident Annual - $13.00 One Hour - $5.00 A second annual pass is available at a discount. Inquire at the Visitor Center.

Park Hours: The park is open from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. daily. Only registered campers at or in route to their campsites are allowed in the park after 11:00 p.m.

Camping Rates: The nightly rate is $20 for residents and $25 for non-residents. Electrical sites are an additional $10 per night. In addition, there is an organized group tent campground on the south end of the park.

CAMPING RESERVATIONS Reservations are available for all outdoor group, and family campsites by calling our toll-free number, 1-888-WI-PARKS (1-888-947-2757) or by visiting our website www.wiparks.net. This centralized reservation system provides “one-stop shopping” for any reservable site in the Wisconsin State Park System. Campers may make site-specific reservations up to 11 months in advance and will receive immediate confirmation. Please have your major credit card ready when you place your call. (Checks accepted upon request.) Reservations can no longer be made by calling or stopping at individual parks. The reservation fee is $9.70/site.

PET RULES AT DEVIL’S LAKE

• Pets must be leashed (8 feet or shorter) at all times and all places. • Leashed pets may go on any hiking trails except Parfrey’s Glen. • Pets may not go in buildings, playgrounds,

beaches, or the main picnic areas. • Pets may picnic with their owners near the north shore boat landing and east of the railroad tracks near the northeast corner of the lake. • Pet owners must clean up after their pet. • Pets may camp. • Pets must be attended.

• Leashed pets may pass through picnic areas on the way to a trailhead if you remain on the paved walkways. • Leashed pets may swim near the north shore boat landing, and adjacent to the south shore boardwalk. • Unleashed pets may swim ONLY in the designated pet swim area near the south shore boat landing.

Safety tips Here are a few tips to help make a happy and accident-free vacation. While hiking, stay on the designated and signed trails shown on the park map. When you wander off these trails, you do so at your own risk! What may appear to be a “tame” animal may be ill or possibly rabid, and sick animals can bite! Leave it alone! Please report too-friendly or too-aggressive animals to the park personnel. Never eat berries or plant parts unless you are certain of their identity. Staying on the hiking trails will lessen your chances of walking through poison ivy. Always be careful with campfires, gas stoves and heaters. Keep children away from the fire ring at all times and never leave your fire unattended.

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EMERGENCY INFORMATION Stay Clear Of The Railroad Tracks! The Wisconsin & Southern Railroad, which owns the railroad line that runs through Devil’s Lake State Park, would like us to remind visitors to please stay off of the tracks. Trains pass through the park several times a day and the folks at Wisconsin & Southern would like your visit to Devil’s Lake to be a safe one.

Your attentiveness to this request is appreciated.

ILLNESS OR INJURY

In case of non-emergency illness or injury, contact the park office for directions to hospitals and urgent care service. Doctors and hospital facilities are located in Baraboo, three miles north of the park via Highway 123 or 113 and also in Prairie du Sac 13 miles south of the park via Highway 12.

POLICE

An emergency phone is located on the outside of the Visitor Center to call directly to the Sauk County Sheriff’s Department:

EMERGENCY: 911 TELEPHONE NUMBERS

• Devil’s Lake State Park Visitor Center, 608-356-8301. • Sauk County Sheriff’s Department non-emergency, 608-356-4895.

There are emergency phones located at both the North Shore Visitor Center and the South Shore Contact Station.

MESSAGES

Photo By: Paul Swanson from WSRR

You may have emergency messages sent to you at the park through the Visitor Center.

Don’t Spoil Your Visit to the Park While the vast majority of visitors at Devil’s Lake State Park obey the laws, we would like to point out some of the most common violations encountered by our Rangers. No admission stickers on vehicles: ($162.70 fine)

All parked vehicles within the boundary of the state park must display a valid park sticker.

Pet violations: (Fine of $162.70 and up)

All pets must be on a leash at all times and are prohibited from certain areas of the park, including beach and picnic areas. Please ask a staff member where your pet is allowed if you are unsure. You are also required to clean up after your pet.

Traffic violations: (Fine of $150.10 and up)

All roads and parking lots in the park are public highways and all traffic laws apply. Some common violations are speeding, driving the wrong way on one-way roads, and transporting children in truck

beds. Do not transport anyone under 16 years old in the back of a truck. Child safety restraints are also required for children under eight years old.

Noise violations: (Fine of $175.30 and up)

Noise violations are strictly enforced, especially at night in the campgrounds.

Alcohol: (Fine of $200.50 and up)

While alcohol is allowed in the park, you cannot drink if you’re under 21 years of age; provide alcohol to someone under 21; transport an open intoxicant in your vehicle; or drive under the influence anywhere in the park.

We ask that you please obey these laws to help keep Devil’s Lake a safe and enjoyable park for everyone.

Campground Hosts Here To Help You If you need help or would like information about the park or the local area, find one of our campground hosts in the campgrounds.

QUARTZITE Site 60 NORTHERN LIGHTS Site 150 ICE AGE Sites 345 & 437

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8 DEVIL’S LAKE STATE PARK

Españoles

Información Del Parque Estatal Lago Devil

TODOS LOS VEHÍCULOS PARQUEADOS DENTRO DEL LÍMITE DEL PARQUE ESTATAL DEBEN TENER UNA ESTAMPILLA DE ADMISION DE VEHICULO. PLACA DE WISCONSIN: 1 hora = $5 1 día = $8 1 año = $28 PLACA DE OTRO ESTADO: 1 hora = $5 1 día = $11 1 año = $38 Las estampillas se deben Pegar por dentro del parabrisas al lado del conductor en la esquina más baja. Las estampillas anuales son válidas del 1 de Enero al 31 de Diciembre. Usted puede conducir por el parque, parando solamente en los señalamientos de alto y peatonales, sin comprar una etiqueta engomada. Si usted para y sale de su coche, el vehículo debe tener una etiqueta engomada de admisión.

El IR DE EXCURSIÓN Hay 29 millas de Veredas para de excursión en el parque Estatal del Lago Devil’s. Éstos son marcados por diversos cuadrados coloreados a lo largo de las veredas. Algunas veredas son simples y accesibles para personas discapacitadas. Otros son muy escabrosos y se acercan a la parte alta del peñasco al borde del barranco.

EMERGENCIA? Contacte la oficina del Lago Devil’s para las direcciones a un hospital o a una ambulancia, o para ayuda de emergencia.

Parque Estatal Del Lago Devil’s 608-356-8301

Teléfono de emergencia para incendios, ambulancia o policía

911

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Algunas Reglas Importantes: • No hay salvavidas brindando servicio en las playas. Por favor, no nade solo, y mantenga estrecha vigilancia sobre sus hijos. • El horario del parque del lago Devil es de 6 a.m. a 11 P.M. los 365 días del año. • Usted debe limpiar su propio espacio y botar su propia basura. • Se permite pescar en el lago. Todas las reglas estatales de pesca aplican. Toda persona igual o mayor a 16 años de edad require una licencia de pesca válida. • Todas las leyes usuales de tráfico para vehículos y bicicletas se aplican en todas las calles del parque. • Plantas, flores, rocas, y fauna no deben ser alterados, disturbados o recogidos. • El canotaje es permitido en el lago. No se permite ningún motor de gasolina o diesel. Todas las reglas de canotaje del estado aplican. • Los animales domésticos se permiten en el parque estatal siempre y cuando sean atendidos, y usen una correa de 8 pies o más corta. Los animales domésticos se prohiben dentro de edificios, en el área de la playa, o en las áreas designadas para comer. • Las horas reservadas en el parque son de 11 P.M. a 6 a.m. • Escalar rocas no es prohibido. Si escala, será bajo su propio riesgo. • Hay 6 millas de veredas para ciclismo de montaña. Todo ciclista igual o mayor a 16 años de edad deberá tener un pase para ciclistas de Wisconsin. • Las bebidas alcohólicas se permiten en el parque de acuerdo con la ley con respecto a edad, la distribución y al comportamiento. • El ruido y la música deben mantenerse a un nivel que no interfiera con el disfrute del parque por otras personas. • Se permite reservar refugios de picnic hasta 11 meses de anticipación. Si un refugio abierto por un lado no está reservado, se considera un área de uso público.

Al ACAMPAR Todo campamento se debe hacer en las areas designadas para acampar en el parque. Hay 414 areas para acampar familiares y 9 para grupos. Areas para incapacitados (necesidades especiales) estan disponibles. 154 sitios para acampar tienen electricidad; ningún sitio tiene conexiones del agua o alcantarillados. Hay un contenedor para basura y una estación de abastcimiento. Los baños de agua corriente, las duchas calientes, y la estación del vaciado serán cerrados cuando la temperatura ambiental llegue a nivel de congelación. 50 sitios son no-reservables, y 350 son reservables. Las reservaciones se pueden hacer 11 meses por adelantado llamando 1-888-947-2757 o en www.wiparks. net. El límite de persona por sitio es una familia (madre, padre, niños dependientes). Para las personas sin relación o la familia extendida, el límite es de 6 personas por sitio para acampar. Todos los huéspedes de los sitios para acampar deben salir del parque a las 11 P.M. Se permite solamente una caravana (RV) por sitio, y solamente dos vehículos por sitio. Todos los vehículos deben tener una estampilla válida de admisión al parque; la cuota por acampar no incluye la admisión del vehículo. Los generadores y los acondicionadores de aire no se permiten. El Centro de Visitantes generalmente tiene leña y hielo a la venta. La madera seca que se encuentra en el suelo puede ser utilizada como leña. Se puede construir fogatas solamente en los Anillos de metal para fogatas. Por favor no deje las fogatas desatendidas. El tiempo de salida es 3 P.M. La cuota por acampar comienza en $20 por noche, por sitio. Agregue $5 por la noche para No residentes del estado. Agregue $10 por la noche si requiere electricidad. Todos los campistas deben registrarse y pagar antes instalar su campamento.

DEVIL’S LAKE STATE PARK

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An Imaginative Creation of Matchless Wonder: Parfrey’s Glen Parfrey’s Glen is a gem. Recognized long ago as an extraordinary place, it was designated in 1952 as Wisconsin’s first official State Natural Area. Parfrey’s Glen is one of four Wisconsin State Natural Areas within Devil’s Lake State Park: Devil’s Lake Oak Forest, South Bluff/Devil’s Nose, and East Bluff. Set aside and protected, the glen (a Scottish word for a narrow, rocky ravine) holds many unique natural charms. In 1844, in the nearby town of Merrimac, a ferry across the Wisconsin River was begun, even before public roads served the area. Beginning in 1846, in or near the glen, a succession of sawmills for cutting lumber and gristmills for grinding grain were built and operated using Parfrey’s Glen Stream for power. Robert Parfrey owned the glen from 1865 to 1876. The earth and log dam for his millpond was located at the lower end of the gorge. Water was carried from the impoundment to the mill via a long flume supported on trestles. Recreational visitors have enjoyed Parfrey’s Glen since at least the late 1800’s. In 1882, a rumor circulated about a large hotel to be built at the glen, but the hotel was never built. A few miles away, beginning in 1844, one could pay to cross the Wisconsin River on the Merrimac Ferry. A century and a half later, you can still cross the river on the Merrimac Ferry - - for free. In Parfrey’s Glen, you may experience an involuntary natural hush. That is appropriate because stealth is required if you desire a chance to glimpse a cerulean warbler or Acadian flycatcher. Observing other creatures may be easier at certain times of the year. Notable birds found in summer include the winter wren,

Louisiana water-thrush, blackand-white warbler, and Canada warbler. Small trout several inches long can sometimes be spotted in the pools and eddies of the winding stream. An expert eye might even spot a rare diving beetle or caddisfly. Some natural inhabitants require your close attention, perhaps dropping to your knees to carefully view a rare northern monkshood, or threatened round-stemmed false foxglove. Would you believe that something called a cliff goldenrod actually exists? It does here. The bamboo-like plant forming low thickets along the creek is scouringrush, a relative of ferns. Pioneers used it to scour pots and pans because of the silica in the stem. Contradictions may cause your body to pause as your mind ponders. On a hot summer day the temperature in the glen can be several degrees cooler than at the trailhead a few hundred yards away. Then there’s the strange existence of quartzite pebbles and boulders (metamorphic rock) completely encased in layers of sandstone (sedimentary rock.) In ancient times, pieces of quartzite, up to about 1500 pounds, must have broken from nearby sea cliffs and been swept offshore, only to be assimilated into the deepening layers of ocean-floor sand. These layers vary, as shown by alternating layers of sandstone, and the “pudding stone” which is sandstone containing quartzite pieces. Other observations may inspire you to take a silent step backwards to visually absorb the rising rock walls of the narrowing gorge, nearly one hundred feet deep. The small watercourse at your feet is one of very few year round streams descending from the Baraboo Hills. Moss, ferns

Photo By: Laura Dierbeck

and other shade-loving plants grow in damp footholds of the rock walls. This area is almost a micro-climate in the moist shade of the glen. It’s an anomaly, an enchanting eccentricity of nature. The lack of direct sunshine and the lingering moisture support plants that are seldom seen except hundreds of miles to the north – yellow birch, mountain maple, red elder, clintonia, and mountain clubmoss. Parfrey’s Glen’s charms are not always peaceful. In the summer of 2008, the gorge was the scene of outrageous violence. There were no witnesses to the act, but on the scene the next day, rangers were shocked at the primal devastation. Boulders were flung about, wooden boardwalks and bridges were splintered and crushed, and the stream was completely rerouted for several hundred yards. Following seven inches of rain in a few hours, flash flooding roared through the glen. Interestingly, the casualties of the torrent were the man-made additions: the trail, bridges, boardwalks, parking area, and gravel road. Parfrey’s Glen was closed for nearly a year. This event was a rare window

to observe the phenomena by which the ravine was naturally formed. The glen will repair itself and plants are regrowing. However, repeat visitors who are very familiar with the heretofore ageless scenery say the creek pattern is very different in many places now. Parfrey’s Glen feels ageless and serene, yet is vibrantly dynamic as it continues to grow and change.

Because it is a Wisconsin State Natural Area, rules are different in Parfrey’s Glen. • No carry in food or drink • Picnicking is allowed near the parking lot • Stay on the trail • No rock climbing, rappelling, or off-trail exploration • No picking any plants or collecting any objects • The area is closed from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. • No pets allowed • A park sticker is required on all parked vehicles

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Photo By: P Landmann

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Facilities for the disabled Wisconsin State Parks are adding new facilities and upgrading some older facilities to accommodate people with disabilities. Devil’s Lake has many areas in the park that are accessible. Each area of the park has buildings that are accessible to our park visitors who use wheelchairs. All campground toilet buildings have special shower/ toilet facilities available to our visitors with disabilities. The paved pathways in the picnic areas along with the south shore sidewalk and boardwalk offer smooth and easy access for visitors with disabilities. A wheelchair is available for mobility-impaired visitors to use while in the park. It can be checked out at the north shore Visitor Center. Our north shore and south shore visitor stations are both accessible to visitors using wheelchairs. Please ask any of the park staff about our facilities and how we may better serve you.

Got E-Mail? Would you like updates on programs and events happening at Devil’s Lake? Do you want information about trail conditions or the wildlife that’s been spotted? Then sign up for our e-mail updates. We’ll send periodic e-mails to alert you to the cool stuff happening at the park. Your e-mail will not be sold to any other organizations. If you would like to sign up, send an e-mail to: SusanA.Johansen@wisconsin.gov or sign up at the Nature Center.

Picnic Shelter Rentals Devil’s Lake State Park has five picnic shelters that are reservable and rented for family reunions, youth groups, company picnics, weddings and other events. Two shelters are enclosed and three are open-sided, with seating capacities from 40 to 100. All have water available nearby, and have a few electrical outlets.

Rental prices range from $45 to $100 per day. Shelter reservation applications are available online or by calling the park up to 11 months in advance.

Shelters are closed to rental use from November 1 to April 15. Bands, DJ’s, amplified music, overnight use, and pets are not allowed. All vehicles must display valid stickers.

Photo By: Gabriel Hesed

Information sheets about shelter rental and weddings are available from the north shore Visitor Center.

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DEVIL’S LAKE STATE PARK

■ * Preregistration is required

Programs will meet at the Nature Center unless otherwise noted. Check for program updates and cancellations at the Nature Center and Visitor Center.

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

MAY 2016 THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

7 9:00 am - 12:30 pm A Hike Back In Time Steinke Basin Parking Lot Drop in between 10:00 am - 2:00 pm Wood Carving Demonstrations 7:30 - 9:00 pm Frog Safari Steinke Basin Parking Lot

Mother’s Day

14 9:00 am - 12:30 pm A Hike Back In Time Steinke Basin Parking Lot 1:00 am - 3:00 pm Mud Hike

21 9:00 am - 12:30 pm A Hike Back In Time Steinke Basin Parking Lot 10:00 am - 1:00 pm Garlic Mustard Challenge Steinke Basin Parking Lot 7:30 - 9:00 pm Frog Safari Steinke Basin Parking Lot

27 Friday Fish Fry Starting at 8:15 pm Lawn Chair Bat Watch Bat Condo

11:00 am - 12:00 pm Nature Explorer

11:00 am - 12:00 pm Walk on the Wildside

Drop in between 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Drop in on Snakes North Shore Beach

Memorial Day

9:00 am - 12:30 pm A Hike Back In Time Steinke Basin Parking Lot Drop in between 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Exploration Station - Fish Starting at 11:00 am Animal Feeding Day Drop in between 1:00 - 3:00 pm Drop in on Bats North Shore Beach 5:30 - 7:30 pm Kayak Tour* Drop in between 7:00 - 10:30 pm Explore the Night Sky Madison Astronomy Society North Shore Boat Launch

DEVIL’S LAKE STATE PARK

■ * Preregistration is required

SUNDAY

Programs will meet at the Nature Center unless otherwise noted. Check for program updates and cancellations at the Nature Center and Visitor Center.

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

1 6:30 - 8:30 PM Learn to Kayak* Meet at the Chateau

JUNE 2016 THURSDAY

2 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Nature Magnified Drop in between 1:30 - 3:30 pm Nature Play Station 6:30 - 8:30 pm Kayak Tour* Meet at the Chateau

Free Fishing Weekend State Park Open House

8 6:30 - 8:30 pm Learn to Kayak* Meet at the Chateau

6:30 - 8:30 am 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Early Morning Kayak Tour* Walk on the Wildside Meet at the Chateau

9 Drop in between 1:30 - 3:30 pm Nature Play Station

Drop in between 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Exploration Station - Tracks

6:30 - 8:30 pm Kayak Tour* Meet at the Chateau

Drop in between 1:00 - 3:00 pm Drop in on Snakes North Shore Beach

Starting at 8:30 pm Creatures of the Night Campfire

12 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Nature Spies

11:00 am - 12:00 pm Walk on the Wildside

Starting at 12:30 pm Animal Feeding Day

Drop in between 12:30 - 3:00 pm Archery Day North Shore Boat Launch

19 Drop in between 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Exploration Station Butterflies

Full Moon

11:00 am - 12:00 pm Walk on the Wildside

21 Starting at 12:30 pm Animal Feeding Day

11:00 am - 12:00 pm Photo Scavenger Hunt

Drop in between 1:00 - 3:00 pm Exploration Station Butterflies

Drop in between 1:30 - 3:30 pm Nature Play Station

22 9:00 am - 12:30 pm A Hike Back in Time Steinke Basin Parking Lot 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Creature Feature - Deer

Drop in between 1:00 - 3:00 pm Drop in on Woodpeckers North Shore Beach

Drop in between 1:00 - 3:00 pm Exploration Station - Tracks 6:30 - 8:30 pm Learn to Kayak* Meet at the Chateau

11:00 am - 12:00 pm Photo Scavenger Hunt

11:00 am - 12:00 pm Walk on the Wildside

Drop in between 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Drop in on Bats North Shore Beach 6:00 - 8:00 pm Music in the Park featuring Marc LaMere Outside the Chateau

28 Starting at 12:30 pm Animal Feeding Day

11:00 am - 12:00 pm Creature Feature - Bats

6:30 - 8:30 pm Learn to Kayak* Meet at the Chateau

29 9:00 am - 12:30 pm A Hike Back in Time Steinke Basin Parking Lot 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Creature Feature - Raccoons Drop in between 1:00 - 3:00 pm Exploration Station - Fish 6:30 - 8:30 pm Learn to Kayak* Meet at the Chateau

6:30 - 8:30 pm Kayak Tour* Meet at the Chateau

23 9:00 am - 11:00 am Learn to Fish North Shore Boat Launch Drop in between 1:30 - 3:30 pm Nature Play Station 6:30 - 8:30 pm Kayak Tour* Meet at the Chateau Starting at 8:30 pm Insects of the Night North Shore Boat Launch

30 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Under Water Drop in between 1:30 - 3:30 pm Nature Play Station 6:30 - 8:30 pm Kayak Tour* Meet at the Chateau 8:45 - 10:00 pm High Tech Bat Hikes

FRIDAY

3 Friday Fish Fry Drop in between 11:00 am - 1:00 pm Exploration Station Outdoor Challenge Drop in between 1:30 - 3:30 pm Nature Play Station Starting at 8:30 pm Lawn Chair Bat Watch Bat Condo

10 Friday Fish Fry Drop in between 11:00 am - 1:00 pm Exploration Station -Tracks Drop in between 1:30 - 3:30 pm Nature Play Station Starting at 8:30 pm Lawn Chair Bat Watch Bat Condo

17 Friday Fish Fry Drop in between 11:00 am - 1:00 pm Exploration Station Nature Art Drop in between 1:30 - 3:30 pm Nature Play Station Starting at 8:30 pm Lawn Chair Bat Watch Bat Condo

24 Friday Fish Fry Drop in between 11:00 am - 1:00 pm Exploration Station Outdoor Challenge Drop in between 1:30 - 3:30 pm Nature Play Station Starting at 8:45 pm Lawn Chair Bat Watch Bat Condo

SATURDAY

Free Fishing Weekend State Park Open House

9:00 am - 12:30 pm A Hike Back In Time Steinke Basin Parking Lot Drop in between 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Exploration Station - Fish Starting at 11:00 am Animal Feeding Day 1:00 - 3:00 pm Drop in on Bats North Shore Beach 6:30-8:30 pm Kayak Tour* Meet at the Chateau Starting at 8:30 pm Insects of the Night North Shore Boat Launch 9:00 am - 12:30 pm

Hike Back In Time 11 ASteinke Basin Parking Lot Drop in between 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Exploration Station - Deer Starting at 11:00 am Animal Feeding Day Drop in between 12:30 - 3:00 pm Archery Day North Shore Boat Launch 6:30-8:30 pm Kayak Tour* Meet at the Chateau Drop in between 7:30 - 8:30 pm Stuck on the Rocks - Baraboo Ambulance - Outside the Chateau 7:30 - 10:30 pm Big Band Dance - Chateau (Cost $10) 9:00 am - 12:30 pm A Hike Back In Time Steinke Basin Parking Lot Drop in between 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Exploration Station - Fish Starting at 11:00 am Animal Feeding Day Drop in between 1:00 - 3:00 pm Drop in on Raccoons North Shore Beach 6:30-8:30 pm Kayak Tour* Meet at the Chateau 7:30 - 10:30 pm Big Band Dance - Chateau (Cost $10) 8:45 - 10:00 pm High Tech Bat Hike

25 Drop in between 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Exploration Station Butterflies Starting at 11:00 am Animal Feeding Day Drop in between 1:00 - 3:00 pm Drop in on Pond Critters North Shore Beach 6:30-8:30 pm Kayak Tour* Meet at the Chateau

16 DEVIL’S LAKE STATE PARK

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DEVIL’S LAKE STATE PARK

■ * Preregistration is required

Programs will meet at the Nature Center unless otherwise noted. Check for program updates and cancellations at the Nature Center and Visitor Center.

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

JULY 2016 THURSDAY

FRIDAY Friday Fish Fry Drop in between 11:00 am - 1:00 pm Exploration Station Nature Art Drop in between 1:30 - 3:30 pm Nature Play Station Starting at 8:45 pm Lawn Chair Bat Watch Bat Condo

Drop in between 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Exploration Station - Fish

Independence Day

11:00 am - 12:00 pm Walk on the Wildside

5 Starting at 12:30 pm Animal Feeding Day

Drop in between 1:00 - 3:00 pm Drop in on Snakes North Shore Beach

6:30 - 8:30 am 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Early Morning Kayak Tour* Walk on the Wildside Meet at the Chateau

12 Starting at 12:30 pm Animal Feeding Day

11:00 am - 12:00 pm Photo Scavenger Hunt Drop in between 12:30 - 3:00 pm Archery Day North Shore Boat Launch

Drop in between 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Exploration Station Butterflies

11:00 am - 12:00 pm Walk on the Wildside

11:00 am - 12:00 pm Nature Explorer

11:00 am - 12:00 pm Walk on the Wildside

Drop in between

am - 12:00 pm 31 10:00 Exploration Station - Fish Drop in between 1:00 - 3:00 pm Drop in on Woodpeckers North Shore Beach 6:00 - 8:00 pm Music in the Park featuring Swing Crew Outside the Chateau

Starting at 12:30 pm Animal Feeding Day 8:30 - 10:30 pm Night Paddle* North Shore Boat Launch

Drop in between 1:00 - 3:00 pm Drop in on Pond Critters North Shore Beach

1:00 - 3:00 pm Drop in on Raccoons North Shore Beach

26 Starting at 12:30 pm Animal Feeding Day

9:00 am - 12:30 pm A Hike Back in Time Steinke Basin Parking Lot 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Creature Feature - Spiders Drop in between 1:00 - 3:00 pm Exploration Station - Tracks 6:30 - 8:30 pm Learn to Kayak* Meet at the Chateau

11:00 am - 12:00 pm Photo Scavenger Hunt Drop in between 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm Nature Play Station 6:30 - 8:30 pm Kayak Tour* Meet at the Chateau Starting at 9:00 pm Creatures of the Night Campfire

Hike Back in Time 13 ASteinke 14 Nature Magnified Basin 9:00 am - 12:30 pm

11:00 am - 12:00 pm

8 Friday Fish Fry Drop in between 11:00 am - 1:00 pm Exploration Station - Deer Drop in between 1:30 - 3:30 pm Nature Play Station Starting at 8:45 pm Lawn Chair Bat Watch Bat Condo Fish Fry 15 Friday Drop in between

SATURDAY

2 Starting at 11:00 am Animal Feeding Day Drop in between 1:00 - 3:00 pm Drop in on Raccoons North Shore Beach 6:30-8:30 pm Kayak Tour* Meet at the Chateau

Dances with Dirt Race Drop in between 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Exploration Station -

Nature Art Starting at 11:00 am Animal Feeding Day Drop in between 12:30 - 3:00 pm Archery Day North Shore Boat Launch 6:30-8:30 pm Kayak Tour* Meet at the Chateau Drop in between 7:30 - 8:30 pm Stuck on the Rocks - Baraboo Ambulance - Outside the Chateau 7:30 - 10:30 pm Big Band Dance - Chateau (Cost $10) Drop in between

am - Dusk 16 9:00Become a Voyager -

11:00 am - 1:00 pm Exploration Station - Fish Drop in between 1:00 - Dusk Become a Voyageur Paddle a 28 foot Canoe North Shore Boat Launch Drop in between 1: 30 - 3:30 pm Nature Play Station Starting at 8:45 pm Lawn Chair Bat Watch Bat Condo

Paddle a 28 foot Canoe North Shore Boat Launch Drop in between 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Exploration Station - Tracks Starting at 11:00 am Animal Feeding Day Drop in between 1:00 - 3:00 pm Drop in on Woodpeckers North Shore Beach 6:30-8:30 pm Kayak Tour* Meet at the Chateau Starting at 8:30 pm Insects of the Night - North Shore Boat Launch

Hike Back in Time 20 ASteinke 21 Basin

22 Friday Fish Fry

Parking Lot 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Creature Feature - Bats Drop in between 1:00 - 3:00 pm Exploration Station Nature Art 6:30 - 8:30 pm Learn to Kayak* Meet at the Chateau

Drop in between 11:00 am - 1:00 pm Exploration Station Outdoor Challenge Drop in between 1:30 - 3:30 pm Nature Play Station Starting at 8:30 pm Lawn Chair Bat Watch Bat Condo

Drop in between 10:00am 12:00 pm Exploration Station Butterflies Starting at 11:00 am Animal Feeding Day North Shore Beach 1:00 - 2:00 pm “Playing with Shakespeare: Get Outside with Will” Children’s Workshop - Northern Lights Amphitheater 2:30 - 3:45 pm Shakespeare in the Park “A Midsummer’s Night Dream” or “As You Like It” - Northern Lights

Parking Lot 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Creature Feature - Turtles Drop in between 1:00 - 3:00 pm Exploration Station Butterflies 6:30 - 8:30 pm Learn to Kayak* Meet at the Chateau

Drop in between 1:30 - 3:30 pm Nature Play Station

6:30 - 8:30 pm Kayak Tour* Meet at the Chateau 8:45 - 10:15 pm Finding Bigfoot Night Hike North Shore Visitor Center

9:00 am - 12:30 pm

9:00 am - 11:00 am Learn to Fish North Shore Boat Launch Drop in between 1:30 - 3:30 pm Nature Play Station 6:30 - 8:30 pm Kayak Tour* Meet at the Chateau

Hike Back in Time 27 ASteinke 28 Basin 9:00 am - 12:30 pm

Parking Lot 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Creature Feature - Deer Drop in between 1:00 - 3:00 pm Exploration Station - Tracks 6:30 - 8:30 pm Learn to Kayak* Meet at the Chateau

11:00 am - 12:00 pm Nature Spies Drop in between 1:30 - 3:30 pm Nature Play Station

29 Friday Fish Fry Drop in between 11:00 am - 1:00 pm Exploration Station - Tracks Drop in between 1:30 - 3:30 pm Nature Play Station Starting at 8:30 pm Lawn Chair Bat Watch Bat Condo

Amphitheater 5:30 - 6:30 pm “Playing with Shakespeare: Get Outside with Will” Children’s Workshop - Northern Lights Amphitheater 6:30 -8:30 pm Kayak Tour* Meet at the Chateau 7:00 - 8:15 pm Shakespeare in the Park: “A Midsummer’s Night Dream” or “As You Like It” - Northern Lights Amphitheater 7:30 -10:30pm Big Band Dance Chateau (Cost $10)

30 Drop in between 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Exploration Station - Fish Drop in between 1:00 - 3:00 pm Drop in on Snakes North Shore Beach 6:30 - 8:30 pm Learn to Kayak* Meet at the Chateau

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DEVIL’S LAKE STATE PARK

■ * Preregistration is required

Programs will meet at the Nature Center unless otherwise noted. Check for program updates and cancellations at the Nature Center and Visitor Center.

SUNDAY

MONDAY

1 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Walk on the Wildside

TUESDAY

2 Starting at 12:30 pm Animal Feeding Day

WEDNESDAY

9:00 am - 12:30 pm A Hike Back in Time Steinke Basin Parking Log 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Creature Feature Raccoons Drop in between 1:00 - 3:00 pm Exploration Station Butterflies

AUGUST 2016 THURSDAY

4 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Under the Water Drop in between 1:30 - 3:30 pm Nature Play Station 6:30 - 8:30 pm Kayak Tour* Meet at the Chateau

6:30 - 8:30pm Learn to Kayak* Meet at the Chateau

7 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Nature Magnified

8 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Walk on the Wildside

9 Starting at 12:30 pm Animal Feeding Day

Drop in between 1:00 - 3:00 pm Drop in on Bats North Shore Beach

10 9:00 am - 12:30 pm A Hike Back in Time Steinke Basin Parking Log

11 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Nature Explorer

11:00 am - 12:00 pm Creature Feature - Spiders

Drop in between 1:30 - 3:30 pm Nature Play Station

Drop in between 1:00 - 3:00 pm Exploration Station - Deer

6:30 - 8:30 pm Kayak Tour* Meet at the Chateau

6:30 - 8:30pm Learn to Kayak* Meet at the Chateau

14 Drop in between 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Exploration Station - Deer

15 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Walk on the Wildside

16 Starting at 12:30 pm Animal Feeding Day

Drop in between 1:00 - 3:00 pm Drop in on Woodpeckers North Shore Beach

17 9:00 am - 12:30 pm A Hike Back in Time Steinke Basin Parking Log 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Creature Feature - Turtles Drop in between 1:00 - 3:00 pm Exploration Station - Tracks 6:00 - 8:00 pm Learn to Kayak* Meet at the Chateau

6:30 - 8:30 am 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Early Morning Kayak Tour* Walk on the Wildside Meet at the Chateau

23 Starting at 12:30 pm Animal Feeding Day

11:00 am - 12:00 pm Photo Scavenger Hunt Drop in between 12:30 - 3:00 pm Archery Day North Shore Boat Launch

in between 28 Drop 29 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Exploration Station - Butterflies Drop in between 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Drop in on Snakes North Shore Beach

5:00 - 7:00 pm Music in the Park featuring Mad City Radiators Outside the Chateau

11:00 am - 12:00 pm Walk on the Wildside

30 Starting at 12:30 pm Animal Feeding Day

24 9:00 am - 12:30 pm A Hike Back in Time Steinke Basin Parking Lot 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Creature Feature - Bats Drop in between 1:00 - 3:00 pm Exploration Station Nature Art 5:30 - 7:30 pm Learn to Kayak* Meet at the Chateau

31 9:00 am - 12:30 pm A Hike Back in Time Steinke Basin Parking Lot 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Creature Feature - Deer Drop in between 11:00 am - 1:00 pm Exploration Station - Fish 5:30 - 7:30 pm Learn to Kayak* Meet at the Chateau

18 9:00 am - 11:00 am Learn to Fish North Shore Boat Launch Drop in between 1:30 - 3:30 pm Nature Play Station 6:00 - 8:00 pm Kayak Tour* Meet at the Chateau Starting at 8:30 pm Creatures of the Night Campfire

25 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Nature Magnified Drop in between 1:30 - 3:30 pm Nature Play Station 5:30 - 7:30 pm Kayak Tour* Meet at the Chateau

FRIDAY

5 Friday Fish Fry Drop in between 11:00 am - 1:00 pm Exploration Station Outdoor Challenge Drop in between 1:30 - 3:30 pm Nature Play Station Starting at 8:00 pm Lawn Chair Bat Watch Bat Condo

12 Friday Fish Fry Drop in between 11:00 am - 1:00 pm Exploration Station Nature Art Drop in between 1:30 - 3:30 pm Nature Play Station Starting at 8:00 pm Lawn Chair Bat Watch Bat Condo

19 Friday Fish Fry Drop in between 11:00 am - 1:00 pm Exploration Station - Fish Drop in between 1:30 - 3:30 pm Nature Play Station Starting at 7:45 pm Lawn Chair Bat Watch Bat Condo

SATURDAY

6 Drop in between 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Exploration Station - Deer Starting at 11:00 am Animal Feeding Day Drop in between 1:00 - 3:00 pm Drop in on Pond Critters North Shore Beach 6:30-8:30 pm Kayak Tour* Meet at the Chateau Drop in between 7:00 - 10:30 pm Explore the Night Sky Madison Astronomy Society North Shore Boat Launch

at 11:00 am 13 Starting Animal Feeding Day Drop in between 1:00- 3:00 pm Drop in on Snakes North Shore Boat Launch 6:00-8:00 pm Kayak Tour* Meet at the Chateau 7:30 - 10:30 pm Big Band Dance - Chateau (Cost $10) 8:30 - 10:30 pm S’more’s & Perseids - Meet at the North Shore Boat Launch

Drop in between 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Exploration Station - Butterflies Starting at 11:00 am Animal Feeding Day Drop in between 12:30 - 3:00 pm Archery Day North Shore Boat Launch 6:00-8:00 pm Kayak Tour* Meet at the Chateau Drop in between 6:30 - 7:30 pm Stuck on the Rocks Baraboo Ambulance Outside the Chateau

Drop in between 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Exploration Station - Deer

Friday Fish Fry Drop in between 11:00 am - 1:00 pm Exploration Station - Tracks

Starting at 11:00 am Animal Feeding Day

Drop in between 1:30 - 3:30 pm Nature Play Station Starting at 7:45 pm Lawn Chair Bat Watch Bat Condo

5:30-7:30 pm Kayak Tour* Meet at the Chateau

Drop in between 1:00 - 3:00 pm Drop in on Bats North Shore Beach

7:30 - 10:30pm Big Band Dance Chateau (Cost $10) 7:45 - 9:30 pm High Tech Bat Hike

20 DEVIL’S LAKE STATE PARK

■

Baraboo & Wisconsin Souvenirs Full Service Pharmacy • Gifts for all Occasions Photo By: Gabriel Hesed

8 Games of Bowling, 4 Shoe Rentals 1 Large Pizza, 1 Topping, 1 Pitcher Soda

Expires 3/1/2017 No Photo Copies

1117 Eight Street Baraboo (608)356-9111 Join us on facebook

Two Baraboo Locations Downtown: 522 Oak St. - (608) 356-8701 Clinic: 1700 Tuttle - (608) 356-6966

E11329 Hwy 159 Baraboo 608-356-4877 www.wheelerscampground.com

DEVIL’S LAKE STATE PARK

■ * Preregistration is required

SUNDAY

Programs will meet at the Nature Center unless otherwise noted. Check for program updates and cancellations at the Nature Center and Visitor Center.

MONDAY

TUESDAY

SEPTEMBER 2016

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

1 5:00 - 7:00 pm Kayak Tour* Meet at the Chateau

4 Drop in between 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Exploration Station - Deer

Labor Day

FRIDAY

2 Friday Fish Fry Drop in between 11:00 am - 1:00 pm Exploration Station Outdoor Challenge Starting at 7:30 pm Lawn Chair Bat Watch Bat Condo

11:00 am - 12:00 pm Walk on the Wildside

5:00 - 7:00 pm Music in the Park featuring Delight Quartet Outside the Chateau

17 1:00 - 3:00 pm Monarch Tagging Steinke Basin Parking Lot 1:00 - 4:30 pm A Hike Back in Time Steinke Basin Parking Lot

24 Drop in between 11:00 am - 1:00 pm Exploration Station - Fish

Drop in between 11:00 am - 1:00 pm Exploration Station Nature Art

Drop in between 11:00 am - 3:00 pm Seasonal Scavenger Hunt

Starting at 11:00 am Animal Feeding Day

11:00 am - 12:00 pm 100 yr. Anniversary of the Bird Mound Celebration South Shore

10:00 am - 12:00 pm Exploration Station - Nature Art Starting at 11:00 am Animal Feeding Day 1:00 - 3:00 pm Monarch Tagging Steinke Basin Parking Lot 1:00 - 4:30 pm A Hike Back in Time Steinke Basin Parking Lot 5:30 - 7:30 pm Kayak Tour* Meet at the Chateau

1:00 - 4:30 pm A Hike Back in Time Steinke Basin Parking Lot

Drop in between 11:00 am - 1:00 pm Exploration Station - Tracks

Devil’s Lake Friends Group Annual Meeting

1:00 - 3:00 pm Monarch Tagging Steinke Basin Parking Lot

Devil’s Challenge Triathlon

SATURDAY

Starting at 11:00 am Animal Feeding Day

Drop in between 1:00 - 3:00 pm Drop in on Woodpeckers North Shore Beach

1:00 - 4:30 pm A Hike Back in Time Steinke Basin Parking Lot

30 Badger Trails Weekend

Resort... Expe d a e H s ’ rience Devil Located only 3 miles South of Devil’s Lake State Park! 250 Hotel Rooms ▲ Restaurants/Bars ▲ Two Spectacular 18 Hole Courses ▲ Mountain Bike/Hiking Trails ▲ Indoor/Outdoor Pools ▲

S6330 Bluff Road, Merrimac, WI 53561 (800)472-6670 • info@devilsheadresort.com

devilsheadresort.com

DEVIL’S LAKE STATE PARK

■ * Preregistration is required

Programs will meet at the Nature Center unless otherwise noted. Check for program updates and cancellations at the Nature Center and Visitor Center.

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

OCTOBER 2016

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

Badger Trails Weekend

Drop in between 11:00 am - 1:00 pm Exploration Station Outdoor Challenge 1:00 - 4:30 pm A Hike Back in Time Steinke Basin Parking Lot

8 Drop in between 9:00 am - 2:00 pm The Great Nature Race

Badger Trails Weekend Drop in between 11:00 am - 3:00 pm Seasonal Scavenger Hunt

1:00 - 4:30 pm A Hike Back in Time Steinke Basin Parking Lot 7:30 - 9:00 pm Finding Bigfoot Night Hike North Shore Visitor Center

Drop in between 9:00 am - 2:00 pm The Great Nature Race

15 7:30 - 9:30 pm Fall Night Scavenger Hunt and Campfire

22 1:00 - 4:30 pm A Hike Back in Time Steinke Basin Parking Lot 6:00 -8:30 pm Candlelight Halloween Hike

29 6:00 -8:00 pm Creatures of the Night Campfire

Halloween

24 DEVIL’S LAKE STATE PARK

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Photo By: Laura Dierbeck

The

Barn

Restaurant & Bar

Area’s largest deck looking out over the Baraboo Bluffs Open 7 days a week Live Weekly Entertainment Call for Band Schedule Full Lunch and Dinner Menus • Salad Bar

Over 200 micro brews available

608-356-2161 S5566 Hwy 123 Baraboo Located less than 1 mi from Devils lake

Great eats served up fresh inside an authentically restored 1954 original Silk City diner! Breakfast Served All Day! BREAKFAST • LUNCH • DINNER (608)356-EATS On Business 12 at 304 Broadway in Baraboo

( 3 2 8 7 )

www.broadwaydinerEATS.com

DEVIL’S LAKE STATE PARK

■

SWIMMER’S ITCH

26 BEERS ON TAP!!! Enjoy your favorite ice cold CRAFT BEER with a great meal.

This is a dermatitis caused by the penetration of a microscopic fluke. It is neither dangerous nor contagious, but it can be uncomfortable. The site of the penetration is marked by a small red welt. The amount of discomfort varies with the individual. In some people the reaction is barely noticeable, whereas others have severe itching, swelling, and fever. The symptoms usually subside within a week. Swimmer’s itch organisms may be noted in the lake in early summer. If so, signs will be posted near the swimming areas to warn that the organisms are present. After the flukes have penetrated the skin, little can be done in the form of effective treatment. Some relief might be obtained through the use of a lotion with additives such as antihistamines and/or local anesthetics. If you go swimming during the “active” times of the summer, the best prevention is to rub briskly with a towel immediately after leaving the water. Showering may also help.

Glacier rock features

Woodstone Oven Cuisine, which combines the techniques of roasting, baking & smoking to impart delicious flavor into our foods, also makes great Pizza’s.

OPEN dAily

Enjoy ouR nighTly SpECiAlS which includeWednesdayWing Night, Friday Fish Fry and Saturday Prime Rib.

AT 4PM

630 West Pine St., Baraboo, WI 53913 608-356-4869 • cindy@glacierrockbaraboo.com

Buy One Meal and Get One Meal

1/2 Off

Limit one per table. Not good with any other offer. Expires 12/31/16.

mon- wed

Margaritas

24/7 24 7 EMERGENCY EMERGENC CARE

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608-448-2162

Hours: Mon. - Sat. 11am - 10 pm; Sun 11am - 9pm

URGENT CARE Monda through Friday: Monday 5 pm – 10:30 pm eekends & Holidays: Weekends Holida 9 am – 9 pm

608-643-3311 608-643-

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Accepting A epting most commercial insurances insur and HMOs, including Unity, Dean Care, he Alliance, -SC Physicians Plus, and Blue Cross & Blue Shield. Phy The Alliance GHC-SCW,

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BARABOO

Devil’s Lake

FISH FRY On-site Outdoor Fish Fry Fri. Nites June 10th – Sept. 2nd 5:00 – 7:30 pm

608-355-2456 Baraboo’s Full Service Caterer

North Shore By the Chateau

2pc. Fish & 1pc. Chicken Dinner with 3 Sides

1150

per person

26 DEVIL’S LAKE STATE PARK

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Is Devil’s Lake Your Special Place?

Was this Grandpa’s favorite spot in the whole wide world? Is there a significant someone in your life who dearly loves Devil’s Lake? Are there warm family memories that you’d like to commemorate? Does it make you smile when you first see the lake, bringing special memories or a wonderful person to mind?

Photo By: Katy Mara

You can celebrate those memories, or honor that person with a lasting memorial.

Devil’s Lake State Park, a nonprofit 501 (c) (3) organization. All money raised by the memorial walkway goes to Request a personalized support Devil’s Lake State Park memorial brick or paver to be – nature programs, upkeep of prominently placed in the most vistas, facility maintenance, popular area in Devil’s Lake replacement of equipment – it State Park. You decide what helps keep the park running you want to say, and we’ll do well, protects the park, keeps the rest. Your personalized people safe, and serves visitors memorial brick or paver will like you. be positioned in front of the Ask for an information sheet historic north shore Chateau, at the Chateau or at the Devil’s the hub of activity along the Lake Visitor Center. You’ll get lakeshore. details about pricing, size, The memorial brick program placement, and other choices. is sponsored by the Friends of

Photo By: J. Mangioni

DEVIL’S LAKE STATE PARK

■

28 DEVIL’S LAKE STATE PARK

■

Great Blue Heron Photo By: P. Landmann

827 Water Street, Sauk City, WI 53583 Located in Historic Downtown Sauk, Off Hwy 12

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DEVIL’S LAKE STATE PARK

An Unusual Geology

■

Photo By: Laura Dierbeck

Devil’s Lake is a unique place for many reasons, but especially for its geology. When you stand on the beach at the north shore, you are surrounded on both sides by 500 foot bluffs that tower over the lake. When you ask people how the bluffs were formed, the typical answer is “by the glaciers”. Although the glaciers were definitely a part of the geologic timeline that helped shape Devil’s Lake the way it looks today, the bluffs were formed much earlier than that. To start looking at when the bluffs were formed, you need to go back about 1 billion years. Before the Baraboo Bluffs existed, this area was once covered by an expansive blanket of quartz sand that accumulated under the bottom of an ancient ocean. This ocean covered the area between what is now South Dakota and Lake Michigan. The pressure and weight of the accumulating sand cemented the grains into sandstone. Sometime between 1.4 and 1.6 billion years ago, the sandstone in this area crumpled into a series of folds that became the bluffs we still see today. Imagine the rocks you are hiking on are over 1 billion years old – long before

there were even dinosaurs roaming the earth! The Baraboo Bluffs were formed into a canoe-shaped ellipse about 25 miles long and 5 miles wide that we still see today. During the folding of the rocks, the sandstone was metamorphosed into the quartzite. Quartzite is pretty tough stuff and is one of the hardest rocks on earth. You won’t find fossils at Devil’s Lake State Park, but you will find the floor of the ancient ocean preserved in these ancient rocks. Look for rocks that have a “wrinkled” or “washboard” appearance to them. The wrinkled pattern is the wave/ripple marks that were preserved in the sandstone that became the quartzite you see today. If you hike up the East bluff (from the north end) or walk through Parfrey’s Glen, you’ll see the next era in the Devil’s Lake geology timeline. As you walk through these areas, you’ll find Cambrian sandstone that was created when an ocean flooded Wisconsin for a second time. About 500 million years ago, when this ocean started flooding the area, North America was rotated 90 degrees clockwise from its present position and lay along

the equator. Wisconsin was now in the southern tropics. As the sea started to cover Wisconsin, the Baraboo Bluffs became islands. Powerful waves from tropical storms attacked the bluffs during this time, tearing blocks of quartzite from them. Strong undertows from the waves swept the boulders a short distance away from the cliffs. When calmer seas returned, these boulders were buried under sand. You can still see where the powerful waves deposited these boulders in layers of rock, called conglomerates or “puddingstone”, along the East Bluff Trail and in the gorge at Parfrey’s Glen. From the north end of the east bluff trail, if you look just above what’s known as Elephant Cave, you’ll see this conglomerate - red quartzite boulders interstratified with tan sandstone. The conglomerate is some of the only rock left during the span of 400 million years when the oceans covered this area. Erosion has stripped away most of the rock that filled the Devil’s Lake gorge and covered the bluffs. As the seas receded, ancient rivers began to flow through the area, removing the softer rock that was deposited by the

Cambrian ocean. These rivers cut 3 main gaps through the Baraboo Bluffs; one of which recut the gorge that now holds the Devil’s Lake. These rivers continued to flow until the last ice age began, about 18,000 years ago. Glaciers made their way south into Wisconsin. Slowly moving walls of ice, close to a mile high, bulldozed their way from the north, flattening entire landforms along the way. The Green Bay Lobe from the last glacier wrapped around the eastern end of the Baraboo Hills and part of it stopped here at Devil’s Lake. If you are up at the Nature Center, the ridge you are standing on is the remains of this last glacier. The ridge is called a terminal moraine – a pile of earth, gravel and rock. The other terminal moraine in the park is at Roznos Meadows; you can see it from the parking lot on Hwy 113. These two terminal moraines sealed both ends of the ancient river valley where the lake sits today. The modern lake we see has been created by springs, seasonal rains and snowmelt. The boulder fields that surround Devil’s Lake (called talus) were created by freezing and thawing of the glaciers that sat here for about 8,000 years. This freezing/thawing action also helped to create Balanced Rock and Devil’s Doorway – rock features that sit on the southface of the East Bluff. It took just over a billion years for Devil’s Lake to look like we see today. There’s a lot more to the formation and the geologic history of Devil’s Lake and the surrounding area. You could say this is just the “tip of iceberg”! To find out more, check out the displays and information at the Nature Center or purchase one of the many books on the area at the Chateau (North Shore concession stand).

30 DEVIL’S LAKE STATE PARK

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Hunting and Trapping in Wisconsin State Parks The Sporting Heritage Act (Act 168) was adopted in April 2012. It included a variety of measures to encourage more people to become involved with Wisconsin’s longstanding traditions of hunting, fishing, and trapping. Among other things, Act 168: provided first-time hunters, anglers and trappers discounts on licenses; provided incentives for people who recruit others into buying licenses; and increased safety education

opportunities. It also expanded hunting opportunities and allowed trapping for the first time on Wisconsin state park system properties. The act allowed the Department of Natural Resources to prohibit hunting and trapping within 100 yards of designated use areas, such as picnic areas, campgrounds, beaches and certain designated trails.. The act authorized the State Natural Resources Board to close

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additional areas for safety reasons or to protect unique ecosystems. The hunting time frame for state parks established by the Natural Resources Board coincides with periods of lower visitor use of state parks. Maps, indicating which areas of each park are open and closed to hunting, will be posted at the park, available at the Visitor Center, and available online at http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/hunt/. The Natural Resources Board restricted hunting and trapping on state park properties from Nov. 15 through Dec. 15 and from April 1 through the Tuesday nearest May 3 for the open seasons established for different game species. In addition, hunting with legal archery methods is allowed from Dec. 15 through the Sunday nearest Jan. 6. Trapping is allowed in all areas open to hunting, but is not allowed within 100 yards of any designated trail. Only traps incapable of catching pets or those placed under water may be used in state parks.

Hunters and trappers can enter a state park one hour prior to the daily hunting and trapping starting times. Before passage of Act 168 many state park properties were already open for deer hunting seasons, and some were also open for spring turkey hunting. The DNR has an extensive hunter safety program, and there has been an excellent safety record for the hunts that have previously taken place on state park properties. During open hunting seasons, all visitors are encouraged to wear blaze orange or other brightly colored clothing. For more information, visit the DNR website and search keywords “hunting state parks.” [http://dnr. wi.gov/topic/parks/hunt/]

http://dnr.wi.gov/u/?q=13

www.lodilakewisconsin.org or call 608-592-4412

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Photo By: J Stiller

Protect the trees where you live, work and play! The threat Your campfire wood could be hiding insects or diseases that can kill Wisconsin’s trees. Gypsy moth, emerald ash borer, oak wilt and others spread easily when hidden in firewood. Your role “Campers value the places where they camp, so it makes sense that more and more, they are doing the right thing. Instead of bringing their own firewood from home, they are getting it at or near their camping destination, or buying certified firewood,” said Andrea Diss-Torrance, forest pest expert with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. “That is good, healthy news for Wisconsin’s forests.” Nurseries, loggers, mills and other industries are doing their part – they are strictly regulated when forests are threatened. Firewood is more difficult to keep track of, so it is the last easy ride for invasive hitch-hikers – unless you do your part too. It is safest and

easiest to leave firewood at home, purchase wood at your destination, or purchase only wood certified by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, which has been specially treated to kill hitchhiking tree pests and diseases. Firewood basics Firewood movement onto all DNR-managed lands is restricted. Soon, all firewood for sale at the property will either be Wisconsin certified or from the property itself. All non-Wisconsin certified firewood brought into a Wisconsin State Park or forest must be: 1) Cut within 10 miles of the State Park or forest campground, AND 2) Cut within the boundaries of the State of Wisconsin, AND 3) NOT cut or stored in a pest quarantined area (unless the property is also in the same or a connected quarantined area). Visit dnr.wi.gov and search the keyword “firewood” for details AND

4) I n Wisconsin, you may not move firewood from a quarantined area to a non-quarantined area unless it is Wisconsin certified. Enforcement can include fines and jail time. Quarantine maps are online at: http://emeraldashborer. wi.gov & http://gypsymoth.wi.gov. What you can do In Wisconsin, campers can take simple steps to help protect the state’s healthy forests. These tips and more helpful information are online at dnr. wi.gov. Search “firewood”: 1. Leave firewood at home. Purchase firewood certified by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture or within 10 miles of your campsite. Also, many properties offer firewood for sale, or private sellers have it available near the park. 2. B urn your firewood at your campsite; do not take it with you to another destination. 3. C ook over gas or charcoal. Instead of a campfire,

explore new night-time activities like star-gazing. 4. Stay updated and follow firewood rules and restrictions. Campfires are an important part of the outdoor experience in Wisconsin, but we must all take a few precautions to keep our forested areas and campgrounds – and our city parks and yards – safe from invasive insects and diseases. Campers will find reasonablypriced firewood within or nearby all state parks and forests. Wood from unapproved sources may be confiscated and destroyed. “We are counting on campers,” said Steve Schmelzer, Park Superintendent, “to help us protect the quality of our forest by complying with the rules. Firewood is available at the Ice Age campground store and the Visitor Center. Ask a ranger or campground host about firewood rules, or visit online: dnr.wi.gov, keyword “firewood”.

• PLEASE BE AWARE FIREWOOD RESTRICTIONS MAY CHANGE DURING THE SEASON •

32 DEVIL’S LAKE STATE PARK

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Who walked the path before you?

You don’t always have to see the wildlife to find out what wildlife species are in the area. You can look for many signs of what may be around. Start by looking at the surrounding habitat; is it woodland, grassland, or maybe a wetland? Certain species of animals like certain habitats so by identifying the habitat around you it can help you figure out what species of animals you may find in that location. Can you see any signs left behind, such as scat (feces) or tracks? Tracks are a great way of finding out what has been there before you arrived and maybe still in the area. Look for tracks after a rain event on paths, muddy areas, or sand. Or if it is dry out, areas that are dusty or areas that are sandy, but not deep sand are good areas to check. If it is winter, 24 hours after a fresh snow can give you opportunities to see what was out and about looking for food or shelter. If you are new to tracking, here are a few critters and their tracks that may live in or be passing through Devil’s Lake State Park. Bobcats are becoming more common in southern Wisconsin, but are often not seen. They are very secretive animals that are more active at dusk and dawn. Bobcats are like domestic cats in that they have retractable claws. Most tracks left by bobcats will not have claw marks. Tracks will have 4 toes and the pad showing with two lobes

on the front of the pad. The tracks are around 2 inches in length and width. Due to the length and width being similar the track tends to be round in appearance, unlike the dog family that is more rectangular in shape. Speaking of dog family, more common ones found in this area are coyotes and foxes, but the occasional wolf have been spotted in the area. The dog family tracks have 4 toes with claws (occasionally claws do not show) and the pad has one lobe on the front of the pad, and the whole track is more rectangular in appearance due to length being longer than the width. Fox tracks are around 2 inches in length with width of about 1 ½ inches, coyotes 2 ½ inches in length and 2 ¼ inches in width, and wolves 4 ½ inches in length and around 4 inches in width. Foxes, coyotes, and wolves, will often step in their own prints and walk a fairly straight line. Domestic dogs on the other hand, don’t need to conserve energy, etc. so tend to walk around with a meandering pattern and their tracks will vary

*Note: Included pictures may not be life size.

Fisher Raccoon Front

Red Fox

Raccoon Back

Some common species in the area would be raccoons and skunks. Both have 5 toes on the front foot and 5 toes on the hind or back foot. They both have claws that may or may not show on the track prints. For the raccoon, the front foot is 2 ¼ inches in length and the hind foot is around 3 ¼ inches in length. These tracks can often look like human hand and foot tracks, only smaller.

Skunk Front

Coyote

Bobcat

in size depending on the breed of dog.

Skunk Back

Skunk tracks sizes are smaller than a raccoon track. The front foot is around 1 ½ inches and the hind foot is 1 7/8 inches. Skunks have long claws on their front feet for digging that may help in identifying the tracks. A great clue for skunks is they meander, similar to domestic dogs, so their tracks are often not in a straight line. Another track that has 5 toes on both the front and hind foot is the fisher. Fishers are more common in northern Wisconsin, but they are occasionally reported in the area. The front and hind foot are around 2 ½ inches in length, but especially in winter, can show a bunch of hair in the tracks as well. So what do you do if you

come across a track and want to figure out what it is? If you have a camera, take a picture with an object of a known size next to it, such as a dollar bill or a quarter, or if you don’t have any other object, use your hand. This way when you look at the picture you can figure out the size of the track. Remember, depending on how the animal stepped in that location, not all toes, claws, pads, etc. may show, so it is best to compare a couple of tracks if you can and even look at how it walked. When walking, the measurements needed are stride and straddle. Stride is the distance from where one footprint appears in a trail to the next point that a footprint made by the same foot appears. Example is for a person the measurement from the heel of the left foot to the heel of the next print of your left foot. The straddle for a person is the measurement from the outside of your left foot to the outside of your right foot. There are some great track identification books out there and searching the internet can help as well. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has a link to a publication called “Mammal Tracks on Wisconsin” that can be found on the DNR website at dnr.wi.gov and typing in “mammal tracks” in the search box. These tracks are just a small portion of the mammals that may leave tracks in this area. The next time you are out hiking, take a look at the ground and see what was there before you!

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Thar’s Rattlers in Them Hills!

One of the more common questions the staff receives at the park is “are there really rattlesnakes here?” The answer is “yes, there are rattlesnakes and you’d be lucky if you actually get to see one”. Actually, the timber rattlesnake is one of only two rattlesnakes found in Wisconsin and in the park. The other, called the massasauga rattlesnake is the only other poisonous snake in Wisconsin. Rattlesnakes don’t often rank high on many people’s “must see animal” list. The fear and misunderstanding of these creatures has resulted in many rattlesnakes being killed over the years. Because of this persecution, the timber rattlesnake is a protected species in Wisconsin and the massasuga is considered critically endangered. Fear and dislike of rattlesnakes have been occurring throughout the park’s history. There are many accounts over the years of people hunting and killing rattlesnakes inside the park. In fact, up until 1975 there was a bounty in Wisconsin on rattlesnakes. You could earn up to $5 for every rattle you brought in. In the book Song of Place, by former park Naturalist Ken Lange, he writes about some of the attitudes people have had throughout history about rattlesnakes in this area. One account was in 1936 when two University of Wisconsin students and a Wisconsin Conservation employee killed around 50 rattlesnakes in the park. They were able to collect 50 cents from the Sauk County Clerk for each one of those rattlesnake tails. Another example of how these snakes have been persecuted in the park, was the “Rattlesnake Club”. The University of Wisconsin Department Of Civil Engineering’s Summer Survey Camp started this Club. The camp was located in the park

from 1910 – 1956 and annually recognized individuals who killed the longest rattler. The person who killed the biggest rattlesnake each year had their name, the year, and length of the rattlesnake they killed painted on one of the camp building’s doors. This door can still be found at the Nature Center. Not everyone who lived in the area felt this need to kill rattlesnakes. Roy Paul (“Chuck”) Naidl operated a high-scale “Reptile Farm” just south of the park along US 12 for over 32 years. From most of the late spring and through the summer, Chuck would leave on school lecture tours throughout the country to educate and make people aware and appreciate reptiles, especially rattlesnakes. Why do people fear rattlesnakes? Well, for one thing, they are venomous and there are lots of stories and movies about people getting bitten and coming close to dying. Fortunately the timber rattlesnake’s venom is not one of the more toxic snake venoms out there, but would still require medical attention if you were bitten.

and fall is when you can find these snakes on rocky outcrops on southwest slopes or in open grassy areas. During the summer, they move into more forested areas. The time most people report seeing rattlesnakes is mid to late July when gravid (pregnant) females spend time up in the bluffs on exposed rock. These females want to be in hotter temperatures to enhance the development of their embryos. Timber rattlesnakes are ovoviviparous – the eggs hatch inside the female’s body and the young are born live. Unlike other snake species, rattlesnakes don’t breed every year. In fact they only Photo By: Thomas Elliott reproduce every 2 to 3 years. They are a species that also takes a long time to become The likelihood of being bitten sexually mature. Males by a rattlesnake is quite small. become mature somewhere Timber rattlesnakes are between 4 to 6 years of age generally docile snakes that and females between 7 and 13 use a bite as a last resort to years. protect itself. In other words, if you leave them alone, they’ll It’s understandable why leave you alone. This snake’s visitors are concerned when instinct is to avoid danger and they find out there are will try and hide by using its venomous snakes here in the coloration to camouflage itself park. However, of the two into its surroundings. If the million visitors who come to snake feels threatened it will the park, only a very small rattle its tail to let you know it’s percentage of them ever see agitated and you should leave a rattlesnake. Again, consider it alone. If the snake feels yourself lucky if you have provoked, it may “bluff strike” a chance to encounter this – lunge out but doesn’t open its docile snake while hiking in mouth. If this doesn’t work, it the bluffs. The park’s naturalist may bite again, this time with is always interested in reports its mouth open. Since venom of rattlesnake sightings and is costly for the rattlesnake to will be happy to hear of your produce and is mainly used snake encounter. She’s still to kill its food, the snake may hasn’t seen one (and would not inject venom. In fact, half love to find and photograph of all timber rattlesnake bites it), so she’s always happy to to humans contain little or no find out where they are being venom, but you don’t want to seen. If you have questions or get to the point where you test want to find out more about this theory! If you were to be rattlesnakes or any other bitten, notify the authorities snakes in the park, come up to immediately and follow their the Nature Center and ask the instructions. A local hospital staff. Otherwise there is lots (St. Clare) does carry a supply of information about snakes in of anti-venom. Wisconsin on the Wisconsin When are you most likely to DNR’s webpage at see a rattlesnake? In the spring www.dnr.wi.gov

34 DEVIL’S LAKE STATE PARK

Ancient Mounds at Devil’s Lake

Some mysteries are much more fun when they remain unsolved — such are the mounds in Devil’s Lake State Park. You can let your imagination run wild speculating about their origin and purpose. Ideas are limited only by the depth and creativity of your mind’s eye -- from fanciful to ominous, elaborate to simple, trivial to sacred. Historic and Prehistoric Dating back more than 10,000 years, the oldest authenticated prehistoric site for people in the Upper Midwest is a rock shelter located less than 20 miles from Devil’s Lake. The natural rock shelter at Natural Bridge State Park is a known site of early human inhabitation. In historic times the Winnebago was the most

important native tribe, but also represented were the Sauk and Fox (they had a village where the twin cities of Prairie du Sac and Sauk City are now located), the Kickapoo, and probably several other tribes. Another group of Native Americans — we call them Effigy Mound Builders, were active in this region around one thousand years ago. They piled up earth to form three basic types of mounds: those in the form of various animals, the “true” effigy mounds; those which look like ridges, the linear type; and those which look like huge chocolate drops, the round or conical type. Consider the labor, organization, persistence, communication, and planning required to achieve such construction. No backhoes, front-end loaders, or dump

trucks; no steel shovels, axes, or picks; no wheelbarrows, no winter pac-boots or down parkas.

Ponder the Mystery No one, not even modern Native Americans, have any direct knowledge of the Mound Builders. We do know that they used some mounds for burials, as human skeletons are found in some of them, especially in the linear and conical types. Perhaps they also used the animal mounds for special festivities, holidays, rites, or services. But we’ll never know for sure — the answers are lost in the enigma of pre-history. Some animal mounds in the park are still in good shape; they’re marked with plaques. One resembles a lynx - it’s located near the Nature Center; another looks like a bear - it’s near the north shore of the

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lake; and there’s a bird mound at the southeastern corner of the lake. Be Respectful Be Gentle Please do not disturb the mounds in any way; don’t walk on them, lean against them, or picnic atop them. These sites were obviously significant to some ancient peoples, about whom we know almost nothing. Treat the mounds with respect as if you were in the cemetery of a relative. While you’re near the enigmatic mounds, imagine the mysteries that you may be leaving behind for your descendents to puzzle over 1000 years from now. A Map Showing Mound Locations Can Be Found On Page 46

The Wisconsin Archeological Society and the Sauk County Historical Society will be hosting a joint celebration of the Centennial Commemoration of the placing of the marker plaque on the Devil’s Lake State Park bird effigy mound, located on the south shore of the park on Sunday, September 11, 2016. The societies marked the mound with a plaque on Labor Day, September 4, 1916, and thus helped to ensure its ultimate preservation. There will also be displays that highlight the history of effigy mounds preservation in Sauk County, Wisconsin. A brief commemoration ceremony will begin at 11:00 AM. Interested members of the public are encouraged to attend the commemoration event. You may want to bring your own lawn chair. Please contact Kurt Sampson, President of the Wisconsin Archeological Society if you need more information, at 414-405-4367 or email kurtsampson68@gmail.com.

DEVIL’S LAKE STATE PARK

Natural Bridge State Park

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Natural Bridge is a small state park (530 acres) that merits a visit. Most people could easily spend 1-3 hours at the park; others could spend more time. It’s a little-visited area, and a great place for a walk in the woods. The main feature of the park is a natural bridge of sandstone with an opening 25 feet high by 35 feet wide. Its weathered formation was missed by the glaciers. People were living at this site from 10,000 to 12,000 years ago (on the basis of radiocarbon assay, geochronology and stratigraphy), when the Wisconsin Glacier was melting by Devil’s Lake. In the natural rock shelter under the sandstone arch is one of the oldest known sites for people in the Midwest. Natural Bridge is a good place to launch your imagination about what it would be like to live in Wisconsin without modern amenities. Life would have been much different with furs instead of a parka, fire instead of an modern furnace, rock walls on two sides instead of an insulated frame house, a small seasonal stream hundreds of yards away instead of running water, food that required capturing instead of pantry shelves and a refrigerator, and a cooking fire instead of an electric stove and microwave. The native land cover is mainly oak woods, with open fields and patches of native prairie adding to the variety. A number of wildflowers bloom throughout the growing season, and bird watchers will be rewarded with sightings of such species as turkey vultures, pileated woodpeckers, and in winter, bald eagles. Nestled in the Baraboo Hills of southern Wisconsin between the small communities of Denzer and Leland, Natural Bridge State Park has much to offer. The park was established

Photo By: Laura Dierbeck

Natural Bridge State Park

Indian Moccasin Nature Trail 12

Leland

Denzer 2 miles

Baraboo 123

Denzer

Devil’s Lake State Park 78

1000 ft.

2000 ft.

Sauk City

E S

Legend Park Boundary Trail

PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER

Highway Leland 3/4 miles

Whitetail Hiking Trail

Natural Bridge Parking Picnic Area

Natural Bridge State Park is located in Sauk County, in the southwestern corner of the Baraboo Hills. Take U.S. Highway 12 south from Baraboo or west and north from Sauk City to County Highway C, then 10 miles west on this highway to the park. in 1973, and includes a 60-acre scientific area. A self-guiding nature trail on the uses of plants by Native Americans winds through part of the scientific area. A hiking trail,

Vault Toilet Overlook Other State Land

Baraboo Hills State Recreation Area

two miles long, is located in the woods on the other side of the highway. This park is for day use only; there is no camping. There is a non-flush restroom building near the parking lot.

In the winter, the park remains open for entry and use by foot, ski, and snowshoe. Nothing is plowed or cleared, and parking may not be available.

36 DEVIL’S LAKE STATE PARK

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DEVIL’S LAKE STATE PARK

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Badger Army Ammunition Plant becomes the Sauk Prairie Recreation Area The former Badger Army Ammunition Plant (BAAP) occupied 7,275 acres immediately to the south of Devil’s Lake State Park. The Badger plant was constructed in 1942 to provide ammunition propellant for World War II and was also operated during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. In 1997 the Army determined that the plant was no longer needed. In 2000, with the help of U.S. Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin, a locally driven reuse planning process was started. The Badger Reuse Committee (BRC) was convened in the summer of 2000 and concluded in early 2001. The BRC was a 21 member committee that included members from neighboring communities, local, state, and federal governments, and the Ho-Chunk Nation. The final report that the BRC compiled

was dubbed “The Badger Reuse Plan”. This plan outlined values and criteria to be taken into account when considering the future use of Badger. The plan also recommended the creation of an advisory board. The Badger Intergovernmental Group was later convened and Badger Oversight Management Commission (BOMC) was established. After negotiations concluded, several entities agreed on the division of lands at Badger. They include the US Department of Agriculture, WI Department of Natural Resources, WI Department of Transportation, Town of Sumpter, and the Bluffview Sanitary District. Negotiations are still ongoing for a portion of the land to be received by the Ho-Chunk Nation. The USDA property will be used for the Dairy Forage Research

After negotiations concluded, the following entities agreed on the division of lands at Badger. They include: Ho-Chunk Nation.......................................................1553.04 acres US Department of Agriculture.................................2106.72 acres WI Department of Natural Resources..................... 3387.41 acres WI Department of Transportation................................ 61.21 acres Town of Sumpter.............................................................3.59 acres Bluffview Sanitary District..........................................163.86 acres Total.............................................................................7275.24 acres

Center. The Department of Transportation land was used to reroute State Highway 78, and the Town of Sumpter will own and manage the three cemeteries on the property. The Bluffview Sanitary District provides sewer utility service to surrounding areas. To date, some of the lands that have transferred are; USDA (2106.72 acres), WI DOT (61.21 acres), WI DNR (2528 acres), and Ho-Chunk Nation (1553.04 acres). After the remaining acres have been reclaimed, they will be transferred. The Air and Waste and Remediation and Redevelopment programs of the DNR have been involved with the property for a long time and have put a great deal of effort into assisting the Army with making it a safe and usable property. A significant cleanup of contaminated structures, waters, and soils on the property has taken place; however, even after the Army vacates the property there will be a legacy of monitoring and

maintenance of closed landfills, monitoring wells, and other facilities. The DNR is in the final phases of master planning for the acreages that will come under their control. The master planning process has received guidance from the values that the Badger Reuse Plan laid out and received input from potential user groups, the BOMC, local units of government, and the general public. During the first round of public comment the Department received over 430 written comments on use of the property. The draft master plan is expected to go before the Natural Resources Board for final approval in 2016. The lands that have officially transferred to the State of Wisconsin are expected to be open for public use in 2016. All other lands are NOT open for public use. Please check the website for current information regarding the SPRA: http://dnr.wi.gov/ topic/lands/masterplanning/ saukprairie/

Badger Ordinance Works Entrance

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DEVIL’S LAKE STATE PARK

Devil’s Lake Concessions Welcomes You To The Park

North Shore Chateau

Grocery/Ice Cream/Gift Shop/Concessions/Beach Accessories

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This facility is available for your personal events also - call to reserve your date TODAY! May through October, for questions about concessions, boat rentals, and rental of the North Shore chateau, call:

608-356-3381

DevilsLakeBaraboo.com We are a nonprofit organization, with proceeds going toward park improvements.

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40 DEVIL’S LAKE STATE PARK

Turkey Vultures

The turkey vulture is the iconic animal of Devil’s Lake State Park. While almost every visitor to the park will see a turkey vulture, not everyone will see the park’s iconic rock formations - Balanced Rock and Devil’s Doorway. Why is Devil’s Lake State Park known for its turkey vultures? The bluffs create thermals, updrafts of warm air, these birds need for soaring. Turkey vultures are built to soar! At around four and a half pounds, this vulture has one of the lightest ratios of body weight to wingspan length, allowing it to soar so easily. In flight, these birds are pretty easy to identify. Their bodies and wings form a slight V-shape and they hardly flap their wings as they circle on the invisible updrafts along the quartzite cliffs. When you hike the bluff trails you can enjoy a unique viewpoint of these birds – you get to see them from above. A turkey vulture can have a home range of up to 50,000 acres – about five times the

■ size of Devil’s Lake State Park. It needs such a large area to search for food; road kill or anything that’s dead. This bird will spend as much as 30% of its time searching for a meal. How does a turkey vulture find its food? Unlike other birds, this vulture has an extraordinary sense of smell; much greater than that of a human’s. If you look at its beak, the vulture has large nostrils, or nares that help them smell more efficiently. Studies have shown that vultures will not find freshly killed animals, but prefer food that has been “baking” in the sun for a day or two. If you get a chance to check out a turkey vulture up close, you’ll notice it doesn’t have feathers on its head. The lack of feathers helps it stay clean, as it sticks its head into a rotten carcass. It would not be easy for a bird to keep the feathers on their heads clean, so they just don’t have any. You might be wondering how these birds, who eat dead and rotten meat, don’t get sick. Here’s a hint: their scientific name is cathartes aura, which means “purifying breeze.” Vultures play an important role in nature by cleaning disease out of the environment, protecting other animals and humans from getting sick. The turkey vulture’s digestive system is so strong that no bacteria from its meals ever leave its system. Turkey vultures breed, nest, and raise young here at the Park. This bird is not known for its nest building and often

Photo By: Sue Johansen-Mayoleth

just lays its eggs on bare rock with a few bits of wood debris to keep the egg in place. They will also use dead, broken, hollow trees for nest sites too. Since they choose extremely unreachable spots in the bluffs for their nests, visitors rarely see the chicks. If you do find a nest, turkey vultures have a great way to protect them. When threatened, these birds will regurgitate (puke) to keep you away. Think about it, these are birds that eat dead, rotten meat; can you imagine the smell? I’d stay away too! Vultures lay one to three eggs in late March, with the chicks hatching in late April to early May. Young vultures are up flying by late summer. In Wisconsin, turkey vultures are partial residents. They return to the park in early to mid-March and depart again in mid- to late October. Vultures from eastern North America spend their winters in Florida and Texas, and will also fly as far south as Brazil

and Argentina! October is a great time to come to the park to watch the vultures start gathering in large groups for their migration south. During this time, you can see large flocks of vultures, called “kettles”, ranging in size from a dozen to more than 300! When migrating, vultures seek out those warm bubbles of air (thermals) they use in the summer to give them a “free ride” south. A kettle of vultures will ride high in the bubble until it begins to falter, then peel off in a southerly direction, seeking the next thermal. It’s a pretty efficient way for these birds to travel such long distances. They may not be the most “handsome” birds, but vultures are quite majestic and a necessary part nature’s eco-system. When you think about the turkey vultures here at Devil’s Lake, ponder this question: What if there weren’t turkey vultures to clean up the animals that die?

An authentic log cabin located on the edge of Baraboo sp ecializing in hearty homemade co oking & fresh baked goods.

Ra ta u

-10p

6am nd u o y il ar R F a m Open Ye

Res

Breads Baked Fresh Daily! Award Winning Fresh Pies!

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DEVIL’S LAKE STATE PARK

Nature Goes High-Tech!

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Smart phones, iPods, iPads, tablets, Androids, X-boxes... the list of high-tech gadgets that keeps us from going outside seems to go on forever. However, technology can be a “tool” that can help make learning about the natural world exciting and fun. Using technology in the outdoors helps keeps kids, of all ages, engaged and exploring in nature. There are lots of great apps that can spark an interest in the outdoors and is a great way to get everyone outside and having fun! In 2016, the Nature Center will start using some of these apps in our programs. The list below are some apps you can use with your smart phone or tablet help you while you are here exploring the park, exploring other natural areas, or just spending time in your back yard. You don’t always have to have a smart phone to check out the apps listed below. Many of these programs have websites you can visit as well. Nature Apps: Loss of the Night: Help scientists by reporting on how bright the night sky is where you are. In many parts of the world, the night sky is filled with artificial light from street lamps and signs and our man-made light often outshines the stars in the sky. Our artificial light dramatically changes the natural nighttime environment and scientists want to study how light pollution impacts nocturnal (nighttime) ecosystems. All of the data that you help collect will be anonymously sent to the GLOBE Night project (www.GLOBEatNight. org), where you can compare your observations to ones all

around the world! You can also go to http://lossofthenight. blogspot.com to check out more information about this project. This is a great app to help you learn about the night sky and help generate important scientific data that might help protect our night environment. This is a free app. Commander Compass: This free app is a GPS toolkit for outdoor navigation. It serves as a hi-tech compass with maps, a gyroscope, GPS, waypoint tracker, speedometer, altimeter, and a Sun-Moon-Star finder. The compass on the app operates in 3D to show realtime locations. You can find and track your location and get detailed GPS data like altitude, the course you took, and your maximum speed. Use this app for geocaching, tracking your distance on the trail, or to help you navigate when you want to go on an off trail adventure. iTrack Lite: If you are interested in identifying the tracks you find, the iTrack Lite app is a great tool to help you learn what mammals are moving about. The free version of this app, iTrack Lite, has 8 common mammal species that can help you identify the tracks that you can see around the park and around much of the Midwest. If you want more, the paid versions offers a more comprehensive digital field guide with 67 mammals listed. Each version has mammal track and sign information with photos and detailed captions. The apps even provide photos of each species skull. This is a great field guide that will help make track identification easy. The lite version is free or you can purchase the iTrack Basic or Pro versions.

Audubon Bird Guide: If you like birds and enjoy bird watching, this free app is the one for you! This app included 821 species of birds, with in-depth descriptions of the birds’ appearances,

habitats, behaviors, sounds, seasonal and migratory range maps and more. You can browse species by shape, region, and color. You can download the app onto your device or save space by connecting to the app with your cellular data.

Photo By: J. Mangioni

42 DEVIL’S LAKE STATE PARK

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Prairie Hill Farm Two beautiful vacation homes on 80 acres Private walking paths through woods and prairies

4 miles from Devil’s Lake State Park and 1 mile from Devil’s Head Ski & Golf Resort

Two night minimum stay

805-927-3807

www.prairiehillfarm.net

Indoor Pool and Whirlpool Expanded Continental breakfast Free Wi-Fi meeting space available

Relax, Rekindle, Relish!

and 10 minutes from Devils lake

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201 8th Street, Baraboo •

608-356-4229 • www.ringlinghousebnb.com

855 Phillips Blvd. Hwy 12 Sauk City, WI

(608) 643-6625 www.cedarberryinn.com

CAMPING? Schedule your boarding with us or Doggy Daycare!!

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Exceptional Care by People who Care

Professional Dog Training Cat, Dog, Exotic Boarding

Dog Grooming

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DEVIL’S LAKE STATE PARK

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Nearby Lesser-Known Conserved Lands to Visit

Every 9-year-old child with access to the woods knows… you must have a “base.” A safe familiar place from which you can branch out to have adventures, explore unknown lands, to fight giants, and take on the creatures of the wild! Devil’s Lake State Park can be your vacation “base”, from which to explore other nearby gems of specially preserved lands. With over 1.5 million visitors each year, Devil’s Lake is well loved and well used. But did you know there are over 13,000 acres of other conserved lands that lie within just a few minutes of Devil’s Lake? All of these interesting sanctuaries are within 5 – 30 minutes of Devil’s Lake State Park. Baxter’s Hollow State Natural Area (SNA) – 5586 acres. Just west of Devil’s Lake State Park across Highway 12. A trail-less forest of red and white oaks, hickory and basswood. It provides an intact critical habitat for 92 species of breeding birds, 39 mammals, 13 amphibians and 18 reptile species. Owned by The Nature Conservancy. Riverland Conservancy – more than 1800 acres. Between Merrimac, WI along the Wisconsin River and the southeast edge of Devil’s Lake State Park. It’s an agreeable rolling land of woods, meadows, and ponds, snapping turtles and Sandhill cranes. The tract originated with a land donation from Wisconsin Power and Light, and now the caretaking Riverland Conservancy’s mission is “to promote the conservation, protection, and restoration of the lands, waters, and natural communities that comprise our environmental heritage.” The Ice Age Trail crosses the Merrimac Ferry and goes through Riverland Conservancy land. Gibraltar Rock SNA – 68 acres. A few miles south of the Merrimac Ferry crossing of the Wisconsin River, south of Devil’s Lake State Park. It’s a stand-alone butte of dolomite atop sandstone rising 200’ above surrounding area. A short ascending walk to the top provides a beautiful panoramic view. McGilvra Woods SNA – 74 acres. Four miles west of Baraboo, McGilvra Woods is a pleasant quiet tract of woods known for its variety and number of rare spring wildflowers. Lower Narrows SNA – 146 acres. You might have driven through the Lower Narrows on your way to the park if you came on Highway 33 from the I-90/94 freeway. Four miles east of Baraboo, it is actually the lower narrows of the Baraboo River, a 900-foot wide gap in the eastern edge of the Baraboo Hills. It was carved by flowing water about 12,000 years ago. Rocky bluffs and hills more than 230 feet high stand on either side of the road and the river. Hemlock Draw SNA – 940 acres. This pleasant area is north of Natural Bridge State Park, about 18 miles from Devil’s Lake. It is a haven for migratory songbirds; 40 species of birds are known to breed here among the hemlocks and yellow birch trees. This tract is owned by The Nature Conservancy. Ableman’s Gorge SNA - 126 acres. Geology aficionados are drawn to this unique place one mile north of Rock Springs, about 12 miles from Devil’s Lake. Quartzite and sandstone bluffs rise 200’ as a slope and cliffs above the valley floor. Van Hise Rock, a National Historic Landmark, commemorates the groundbreaking19th century research of Charles Van Hise. Pine Hollow SNA – 310 acres. Three miles from Leland, near Natural Bridge State Park. Pine Hollow is a moist and heavily

At Gibraltar Rock State Natural Area Photo By: Laura Dierbeck

wooded stream gorge. Differential erosion has cut a ravine about 300’ deep with cliff walls up to 80’ high. The sheer cliffs and rock outcroppings of sandstone and quartzite make up a complex slope and variety of exposures, making for a rich flora of more than 500 species. Hemlocks of all sizes occupy the steep moist ravine walls. Owned by the Nature Conservancy. There are over 150 Wisconsin State Natural Areas, and 26 of them are in Sauk County. Pets are allowed in most State Natural Areas, but not in Parfrey’s Glen. Actual land ownership of the land varies, and some are privately owned. Very few State Natural Areas have public facilities. Generally, there are no picnic areas, restrooms, or other developments. Usually, trails, if present, are typically undesignated footpaths. Rules in State Natural Areas are more restrictive and prohibit all collecting of natural specimens and cultural artifacts; prohibit camping, campfires, geocaching, horses, vehicles, and ATV’s.

44 DEVIL’S LAKE STATE PARK

Steam Trains and Hotels

Devil’s Lake has always been a popular place to take a summer vacation. People have been coming to the area to climb the bluffs, swim in the lake, and spend the week since the late 1800’s. Unlike today, where people come to camp, visitors during the latter of the 19th century stayed in hotels. The first hotel was built in 1866 near the northeast corner of the lake. But, it wasn’t until the railroad through the park was completed in 1871 the “Hotel Era”, really started to boon in this area. For a few decades, hotel accommodations around the lake were the customary sight for visitors to Devil’s Lake. The hotel era was an extravagant time at Devil’s Lake and happened nearly 45 years before the land became a state park. Passenger trains allowed people from Chicago, Milwaukee, Madison, and even Minneapolis to spend their summers at the lake. Trains would bring tourists by the thousands with as many as nine passenger train per day stopping at Devil’s Lake. Those passengers who arrived at the north shore would find an elegant wood-gabled hotel with three tiers of balconies. This was the Minnewauken Hotel; the name was later changed to the Cliff House. If a passenger wasn’t staying at the lake, they would often have a meal in the elegant dining room where fresh fruits and vegetable grown in nearby orchards and gardens were served. For those patrons who checked into the hotel, there were plenty of amenities to make them feel at home and give them some entertainment while they stayed. The Cliff house had a billiard room, a bowling alley, a telegraph office, barber shop, post office, and even a grocery store. Clients to the Cliff House could also participate in boat tours around the lake. The owner of the hotel, Samuel Hartley,

bought the Capitola, a sidewheel steam boat in Madison in 1869. This steamer could comfortably carry up to 100 passengers and made regular trips around the lake. In 1874, another wood-burning, steam-driven paddlewheel boat, the Minniwauken, began operations. Not everyone appreciated the boat tours. One environmentalist’s perspective was voiced to say “the lake scenery was ruined” by the arrival of the boats. One can imagine the smoke, steam, and noise of the pressure driven engines. Not all vacationers stayed on the north shore. There were three other hotels that dotted the lake’s south shore; the Kirkland Hotel, the Lake View Resort, and the Messenger Hotel. Where the Cliff House hotel was considered “deluxe accommodations”, the south shore hotels were considered rustic and a place for low income families to enjoy and return. Noble C. Kirk and his wife Sarah owned several hundred acres on the southeastern corner of Devil’s Lake and had always kept their property open and free for the public. To give visitors something to do while they visited the area, the Kirk’s started Kirkland - a place to play croquet; sit on rustic seats; and have a picnic. Mr. Kirk’s added to his “park” over the years and built a pavilion in 1876; a place where people could cook, eat, and have parties. In 1889, the Kirk’s replaced the original pavilion with a larger two-story, pavilion with 4 guest rooms. The Kirkland hotel wasn’t built until 1906, after Noble Kirk had passed. The Lakeview Hotel didn’t start out as a hotel, but as a public house. Originally called the “Sheldon House”, it was built in 1870 close to Kirkland. It wasn’t until Edmund T. Hopkins purchased it in 1882, that it was enlarged,

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Cliff House Late 1800’s

Twin Tracks At Devil’s Lake

renovated, and relocated to the area where the south shore concession stand is now. The hotel was a tri-level building, with the sleeping rooms on the upper most floors. There were even 5 cottages that visitors

could rent. The hotel rates started out quite reasonable at $1.50, but were later increased to $2 per day or $8 to $12 a week. The only hotel on the southwest corner of the lake

DEVIL’S LAKE STATE PARK

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WE NEED

YOUR PICTURES AND YOUR STORIES! Kirkland Wine Cellar

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Steam Engine At Devil’s Lake

ate Park t S e k a L ’s Devil d photos an g n i t c e l l o is c n about informatio ces here n e i r e p x e visitors’ . at the park v

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Kirkland 1910

was the Messenger Hotel. Oscar Messenger, the son of Messenger family, managed the Lakeview Resort, before deciding to open his own hotel in the 1890’s. This hotel had a lawn where visitors could relax, play croquet, lawn tennis, or horseshoes. Like the Cliff House, the Messenger’s also owned a paddlewheel steamboat, named “Alvah”, which was used to meet train passengers at the Kirkland station and bring them back across the lake. The end of the Hotel Era for Devil’s Lake happened over the early 1900’s. For the Cliff House, its end came in 1904. The hotel’s rates were barely enough to cover expenses and

this elaborate hotel was often in need of repair. The hotel was demolished by the order of the hotel’s owner. The south shore hotels made it a bit longer. When the Devil’s Lake became a State Park in 1911, all three hotel owners sold to the state. The Messenger hotel was used in 1911 by was Lucius Prader, the first concession manager, and his wife to live in. The Kirkland and Lakeview hotels were leased from the state and made a go until the late 1920’s before the state decided not to renew the leases. The Kirkland hotel was removed in 1928 and the Lake View was the last to be torn down in 1946.

t ple u o s u p l e H

ase!

July 1961

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9-Hole Golf Course

Historical Devil’s Lake

Club House

= Effigy Mound Claude House Bathhouses & Boathouses The “Annex” Cliff House

DEVIL’S LAKE

roa Chica go & Northwestern Rail

WEST BLUFF 85’ Tower

tta

Ziemer Cottage PALISADE PARK

EAST BLUFF QUARRY

EAST BLUFF

Wine House & Cellar

Kirk House

Kirkland Hotel & Annex tta

Map Drawing by Don Stoffels, volunteer and friend of Devil’s Lake State Park

Lakeview Hotel Ringling’s South Shore Lodge

Devil’s Lake Train Station

DEVIL’S LAKE STATE PARK

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Devil’s Lake Depth Map = Park Building = Private Cottage = Boat Landing = Underwater/Underground

Withdrawal Pipe

3’

5’ 7’ 10’ 20’

15’ 25’

30’

DEVIL’S LAKE TRIVIA Water Area: 368.76 acres Under 3 Feet: 3% Over 20 Feet: 77% Max Depth: 47 feet Total Alkalinity: 23 ppm Volume: 11,210.71 acre feet Main Shoreline: 3.55 miles Lake Length: 1.3 miles Lake Width: About 0.5 miles

35’

40’

There is no natural outlet for the lake other than evaporation; the lake is filled only by local drainage and the small trickle of Koshawago Springs near the southwest corner of the lake.

45’

47’ 35’

40’

30’

3’

5’

45’

25’

10’ 15’

20’

40’

35’

30’

25’ 10’

20’ 15’ 5’ 3’

400’

0’

400’

800’

1,200’

1,600’

Devil's Lake State Park

Outdoor 48 DEVIL’S LAKE STATE PARK S ou t h L

a ke R o a

Legend

Group Camp CCC Trail

Water 1 1/2 mile to Hwy 113

Outdoor Flush Toilet/ Shower Building Group Camp

Devil's Lake State Park

Parking Legend Trail Water

Outdoor Group Camp 1/2 mile to South Shore Picnic Area and Office

S ou t h L

ke R o a d

Winter Water

CCC Trail

1 1/2 mile to Hwy 113 G8

Flush Toilet/ Shower Building 1/2 mile to South G2 Shore Picnic Area and Office

One- w a

y Roa d

S N

Site G4 Site G5 Site G6 Site G7 Site G8 Site G9

— — — — — —

20 40 20 20 20 20

Phone: 608-356-8301

Flush Toilet/ Shower Building

Maximum Campers per Site: Site G1Non-Flush — 60 Toilets Site G2 — 20 Flush Toilet/ Site G3 — 20 Shower Building Site G4 — 20 Site G5Parking — 40 Site G6 — 20 Site G7Trail — 20 Site G8 — 20 Site G9 — 20 Department of Naturalper Resources Maximum Campers Site: Devil's SiteLake G1 State — 60Park S5975 Park Road Site G2 — 20 Baraboo, WI—53913-9299 Site G3 20

Department of Natural Resources Running water facilities Devil's Lake State Park openPark only from Memorial S5975 Road Baraboo, WI 53913-9299 Day weekend through

Columbus Day weekend.

Phone: 608-356-8301

G6 One- w a

y Roa d

ing 57 Years! Celebrat

Bavarian Smorgasbord 1st Monday of each month & 1st & 3rd Mondays in June–Oct

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Winter Water Devil’s Lake State Park Non-Flush Toilets

Authentic German & Classic American Entrée’s, Senior & Kids Menu, German biers on tap, German wines, Cocktails

Dinner theatre Banquet Facility for 450 Guests VOtED 2016 BESt OF MADiSOn Destination Restaurant: SILVER Fish Fry SILVER Supper Club BRONZE

DEVIL’S LAKE STATE PARK

Activity Abounds at the Nature Center

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Looking for fun things to do while you visit Devil’s Lake? Come up to the Nature Center! There’s always something happening year-round. The Nature Center is located on the north shore entrance road. The center has lots of natural and human history displays, live animals, and even a kid’s room, where kids can play – naturally! Check it Out! There are also lots of things you can borrow and use at the park. The following items can be checked out any time the Nature Center is open. Wisconsin Explorer Books and Backpacks The Wisconsin Explorer books have nature activities, scavenger hunts, games, hikes, and crafts. Check out an explorer backpack containing magnifying lenses, bug boxes, pencils, crayons, and field guides to help your kids complete the activities in the books. Take Smokey Camping Kids can take a cuddly, stuffed Smokey Bear camping for the night! Read “The True Story of Smokey Bear” and write in Smokey’s diary about all of the

things Smokey did during his visit with you. Forest Forever Backpacks Borrow a backpack filled with exploring tools, books, games, activity guides, and field guides that help kids (ages 10 to 14) learn about Wisconsin forests. Fishing poles Spend some time fishing on the lake. There is no charge for the equipment, and the poles can only be checked out for one day. The park does not provide bait or special lures. Kids 16 and older must have a current fishing license. GPS units Check out a GPS and head out to find some of the park’s several geocaches, waymarks, and earthcaches. Ask for our self-guided historical GPS tour (Centennial Tracks) at the Nature Center. GPS units can be checked out for one day, but if there is a large demand, the units can only be checked out for 4 hours. Coldcaching Backpack Looking for a family-friendly activity that allows you to experience the thrill of a treasure hunt? Well ColdCaching is for

you! The Ice Age Trail Alliance’s ColdCaching program is an exciting way to explore Wisconsin’s fascinating Ice Age history and earn ice age patches! Stop in the Nature Center to check out the backpack. Inside you’ll find all the tools you’ll need. There are 7 ColdCaches at Devil’s Lake. Ice fishing Equipment If you’d like to try ice fishing, you can check out an ice fishing pole, and auger, and ice skimmers. There is no charge for the equipment, but poles can only be checked out for one day. The park does not provide bait or special lures. Kids 16 and older must have a current fishing license. Snowshoes Come and snowshoe this winter at Devil’s Lake! The Nature Center has several pairs of snowshoes visitors can borrow for free. We have sizes for any age, including kids as young as 4 years old. Snowshoes must be used in the park and be returned that day. Nature Programs Don’t forget to attend one of the many nature programs

happening this year. There are lots of entertaining and familyfriendly programs to help you discover more about Devil’s Lake! To find out what’s happening, check out pages 13-23 in the Visitor Guide or go to the Nature or Visitor Centers to pick up a weekly program schedule. Please remember the programs are weather-dependent and may be canceled in inclement weather. You can find out about cancellations by calling or visiting the Nature and Visitor Centers. Hours Summer: The Nature Center is open 9:00 am – 4:00 pm, 7 days a week. Spring, fall, winter: Hours vary and are posted at the Nature and Visitor Center. If you have any questions or want to find out what’s happening, give us a call at 608-3568301 ext. 140 or email SusanA. Johansen@wisconsin.gov. You can also sign up to receive email updates about events and happenings in the park too. Just email Sue, the Park Naturalist, at the before mentioned email to be added.

50 DEVIL’S LAKE STATE PARK

20% Off

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1st 18 holes of Golf

International Crane Foundation

Holes! 5 Courses ic- &91Play land Large Picn

At intersection of Hwy. 12-13-16-23 608-254-7500

Train rides! 55-minute rides • 12 mi. from Devil’s Lake S.P

Take a Walk on the WILD Side!

Open daily........ June 6 – Sept. 2

Open May 7 – June 5 & Weekends.......... Sept. 3 – Oct. 16 deparTures......11am, 1pm & 3pm Departure times may differ during special events.

FREE museum! Rides require ticket purchase. e8948 Museum rd, north Freedom, Wi 53951

Mid-Continent Railway MuseuM 800-930-1385

www.midcontinent.org

Prairie Clinic, S.C. is an independent clinic offering Family Medicine, Pediatric, Obstetrics and Gynecology services.In addition to acute care and medical consultation,the clinic offers programs for Asthma,Anti-Coagulation (ProTime) and Diabetes. Some laboratory tests are completed on site: lab, x-ray, ultrasound, electrocardiogram and bone density scans.

Open Daily 9 - 5 (April 15 – October 31) Guided Tours Nature Trails • Gift Shop www.savingcranes.org • 608-356-9462

WALK-IN CLINIC Mon-Thu 1-7 pm,Fri 1-4 Healthcare when you need it! For patients age 12 months and up

Prairie Clinic, SC. • 112 Helen Street, Sauk City, WI 53583 • 608-643-3351

DEVIL’S LAKE STATE PARK

BATS OF DEVIL’S LAKE

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By Heather Kaarakka Bats seem to be on many minds lately due to the appearance of the deadly bat disease, white-nose syndrome (WNS) in Wisconsin. If the impacts of the disease in Wisconsin are similar to the Northeast, the coming summers may be the last chance to observe large colonies in action, and one of the best places to watch evening bat emergence and foraging is at Devil’s Lake State Park. Devil’s Lake has long been home to multiple species of bats in summer. As a permanent water body, it acts as important summer roosting and foraging habitat and its proximity to the Wisconsin River makes it an easy stop during migration along the river corridor. Wisconsin’s seven species of bats are split into two groups - cave bats and tree bats. Tree bats are colorful, usually solitary species that migrate south during winter months. Cave bats are species that hibernate in caves and mines for the winter. Two cave bat species - little brown bats and big brown bats - form large colonies in summer. These large colonies are generally females who give birth to flightless young in early June. Both species select buildings and bat houses because they

offer warm, safe places to give birth and raise their young. After the baby bats, called pups, are several weeks old, they begin to fly and forage on their own. Bats are highly associated with water, and most species prefer to roost within a short distance to reduce evening commutes to get a drink of water. Because of this behavior, the chateau building on the north shore of the lake provided the ideal roost habitat for a significant colony of little brown bats. In 2010, it was decided the bats roosting in the attic of the building should be encouraged elsewhere and a large project of bat houses and exclusion was completed in the spring. Twenty bat houses were installed on the outside of the chateau on all sides. Baraboo naturalist Ken Lange, and several volunteers monitored the bat houses weekly from May through September, providing vital information on the exclusion effort and baseline data about the colony. Over the course of the summer, Ken and others counted over 900 bats using the bat houses and the building. To offer the chateau colony a permanent summer roost, a bat condo was built near the boat launch in fall of 2011. The condo is a large structure

built on stilts putting it between 15 and 20 feet in the air. It is completely enclosed with small openings to allow bats to enter and exit, but not allow access for predators like raccoons or owls. Inside the small barn-like building are bundles of baffles to maximize roosting area. Over 3,000 bats can fit comfortably in the condo. But bats are not easily coaxed from habit, and the little brown colony remained in the bat houses on the An acoustic survey completed during sides of the chateau spring migration resulted in high numbers of silver-haired bats; a for several more years. species normally found in the northern Little brown bats are half of the state in summer. long-lived (sometimes over 30 years) and it is finally saw habitation. often the same bats returning With the looming possibility year after year to the summer of major declines because roost. Discovering and of white-nose syndrome in moving to new roosts can be species like the little brown costly, so species that form bat, we highly encourage large colonies tend to avoid you to get out to experience switching roosts as much as bats while you can. It is possible. unknown how WNS will The condo saw little use impact Wisconsin’s bats, but until the bat houses were the coming summers may be removed from the chateau some of the last to experience in fall 2013 in preparation for these amazing creatures. re-siding and restoration of the For more information about building. Several of the most bats and the Wisconsin Bat used bat houses were installed Program, please visit http:// on the legs of the condo to wiatri.net/inventory/bats encourage bats to the condo. In summer 2014, the condo

52 DEVIL’S LAKE STATE PARK

Bluff Trails Project

Starting in the spring of 2015 and continuing through 2017, Devil’s Lake State Park, The Friends of Devil’s Lake (FODL), the Devil’s Lake Concession Corporation(DLCC), and the Mountaineering Foundation of Chicago (MFC) is undertaking a $40,000 trails project to improve and upgrade a number of trails in the park. The funds for this project will come from the sponsoring organizations and then will be matched with funds from the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund. The purpose of this project is to upgrade and provide repairs to the trails that access and traverse the bluffs of Devil’s Lake State Park. The trails would include the East and West Bluff Trails, Balanced Rock Trail, CCC Trail, Potholes Trail, Upland Trail Loop, and Devil’s Doorway Trail. The work would involve the upgrading and repair of stone steps, blacktop treads, and water diversion structures. These trails provide

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initiative as well as numerous other match grant projects. The Mountaineering Foundation of Chicago was established over 30 years ago and was originally an offshoot of the Chicago Mountaineering Club which was established in 1940. The MRC promotes public understanding and appreciation of mountains and mountaineering. They also maintain the John Speck Memorial Library mountaineering library in 1930’s C.C.C. crew works on Devil’s Lake trails the Chicago Area. For more information on the Friends of access to the extremely popular Corporation is a non-profit Devil’s Lake please see their organization that has been in bluff trails and expand the website at existence since 1959 and has recreational opportunities www.devilswlakefriends.org. contributed over $2.5 million (hiking, rock climbing, and There will also be periodic to the State of Wisconsin and geocaching) of some of our closures of the previously Devil’s Lake State Park. The most popular recreational mentioned trails during the DLCC was the precursor to activities among our visitors. modern day friends groups. The week to complete the project These sponsoring Friends of Devil’s Lake has been over the next two years. organizations continue to in existence since 1996 and has Information regarding trail provide much needed support closures will be available at the sponsored projects totaling by providing matching funds Visitor and posted throughout over $500,000 which includes to Devil’s Lake State Park. the park. the ongoing water quality The Devil’s Lake Concession

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DEVIL’S LAKE STATE PARK

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Go Kayaking Join us for a tour around the lake by kayak! You can join us for a kayak tour on Thursday and Saturday evenings. New of this year will be our Learn to Kayak programs. If you have never kayaked or have been kayaking for a while but want some tips and tricks to help you with your paddling join us on Wednesday evenings for our new Learn to Kayak program. Bring your own kayak or rent one from the Chateau (same fee as the kayak tours). We will ONLY take people in single kayaks for the Learn to Kayak program. Please see the events calendar for kayak tours and learn to kayak times. Please pre-register for all kayaking programs by calling the Nature Center (608-356-8301 ext. 140) or emailing SusanA.Johansen@wisconsin. gov. If you aren’t able to join us for one of the kayak programs, feel free to rent a kayak from the North (Chateau) or South Shore Concessions. You don’t need to make a reservation to go paddling on your own. The boats are rented on a first-come-firstserve basis. If you’d like to join us for a Learn to Kayak program or for a Kayak Tour, check out the information below: Preregistration and prepaying is required – To register, please contact the Nature Center at (608) 356-8301 Ext. 140. To pay for your kayak, please go to the Chateau (North Shore Concessions). If you don’t own a kayak - If you need to rent a kayak, there will be a $25 rental fee for a single or $45 for a double kayak. This rental fee will include your kayak, paddle, and PFD (You will be required to wear your PFD). If you own a kayak – We ask you make a $10 donation for a single kayak and $15 for a double. (You will be required to wear your PFD)

Photo By: Skillet Creek Media

Cancellation Policy - If the weather is bad or the lake is rough, we will cancel the tour that day. We need at least 5 people to run the tour. If we do not have enough signed up, we will cancel the tour. We will wait until closing of the Nature Center (4:00 p.m.) the days of the kayak tours to see if we have enough participants. If you have paid for a kayak rental, that fee will be reimbursed to you. Where to meet – If you have rented a kayak, check out your kayak at the Chateau. Please leave yourself at least a half an hour before we start to pay for your kayak.

If you have your own kayak, put your boats in at the north shore boat launch, then paddle over to the Chateau. Please try to be there a half an hour to 15 minutes before the tour starts. How long will the tour last? – The tours typically last 1 ½ to 2 hours as we’ll paddle the circumference of the lake. We’ll stop along the way to look at wildlife and to learn about the rich past of the area. If you have any questions or need more information, please contact Sue Johansen, Park Naturalist, at (608) 356-8301 ext. 140 or by email at SusanA.Johansen@wisconsin.gov.

Become a Wisconsin Explorer! This year, kids all over Wisconsin will be “Exploring the Extremes” at parks, forests, trails, and recreation areas. Stop by the contact station or nature center and pick up a Wisconsin Explorers booklet. Inside, you will find nature activities, scavenger hunts, games, hikes, and crafts that will help you and your family explore Wisconsin’s natural resources. Complete the requirements listed in the booklet, and you’ll earn a collectable state symbol patch. For 2016, the patches are: • Honeybee (ages 3-5) • White-tailed deer (ages 6-8) • American badger (ages 9+) For more information, ask park staff or visit www.wiparks.net and search for “Wisconsin Explorer.”

54 DEVIL’S LAKE STATE PARK

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DEVIL’S LAKE STATE PARK

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Why is it called Devil’s Lake?

The original Native American name for the lake could have been translated as Spirit Lake, Holy Lake, Mystery Lake, or Sacred Lake. But the Winnebago name “Ta-wa-cun-chuk-dah” or “Da-wakah-char-gra” was translated in its most sensational form (for that era) as Devil’s Lake. In the mid-1800’s the railroad, hotel, and tourism entrepreneurs sought publicity for the destination, and competitive newspaper editors were eager to comply. Reporters produced superlative accounts of Devil’s Lake and reproduced legends (sometimes manufactured) to match. Before all the lurid one-upmanship, the earliest known map of the area in 1850 humbly referred to the lake as “Lake of the Hills.” Two years later, a geological survey called it “Devil’s Lake,” and ten years after that referred to it as “Spirit Lake.” By 1872, challengers to the name Devil’s Lake conceded defeat when the Green County Republican newspaper reported, “Had the lake been christened by any other name, it would not have attracted so many people…”

Photo By: P. Warn

Where Is This? It is somewhere inside the boundaries of Devil’s Lake State Park.

If you can identify it and tell us where it is you could win a free 2017 annual park sticker!

If you think you know the answer, ask for an entry slip at the north shore Visitor Center, and turn in your entry to the staff there. In December, we will draw the winner from among the correct answers. Sponsored by the Friends of Devil’s Lake State Park

www.devilslakefriends.org

56 DEVIL’S LAKE STATE PARK

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Activities & Park Amenities

SWIMMING:

Beaches and bathhouses are located at both ends of the lake. Lifeguards are not provided. Please swim with a buddy.

FIREWOOD:

Sold in the Ice Age Campground Store and Visitor Center FISHING: during normal business hours. No standing trees may be cut for Devil’s Lake contains brown trout, walleye, northern pike, bass firewood, even if dead.Tree limbs that have fallen to the ground may be and panfish. A fishing license is required for anyone collected for firewood. No chainsaws may be used. 16 or over. A trout stamp is required for trout fishing. Fires:

BOATING: Life preservers are required for all boats, including rubber

Fires are permitted in fire rings and cooking grills only. Please do not leave any fire unattended.

rafts. There are boat launching ramps at both ends of the lake. Electric motors only!

LAUNDRY:

There are no laundry facilities located in the park. Laundromats are available in Baraboo.

PICNIC FACILITIES: here are three major designated picnic grounds in the park T with water, tables & grills. Two are located on the North Shore & one on the South Shore.

SHOWERS:

Facilities are open seasonally in the campgrounds and in the Red Oak Shelter/Concession building on the south shore.

BIKING:

PICNIC SHELTERS: wo enclosed shelters & three open air shelters are available for T

Bicyclists must use caution and give hikers the right-ofway. Bicycles are allowed on the Upland Trail Loop and the connector trail between Steinke Basin and the North Shore Picnic Area. Trails open to bikers are so posted. A bike trail pass is not required to ride on these trails.

rental at a cost of $45-$100 per day. Reservations accepted up to 11 months in advance. Call (608) 356-8301 for an application. To Baraboo

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Campers:

For individual groups (non-family) no more than 6 individuals per campsite. Register at the office before you set up. Campers may not set up camp between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. Camping is allowed only in designated campsites in the campgrounds. Only two vehicles are allowed at each campsite at one time. Vehicles must be parked on the parking pad. Additional parking is available near each campground. WASTE:

ark rules require that you dispose of all waste only in the P containers provided for that purpose in the picnic areas and campgrounds. Noise:

Noise restrictions are enforced for the benefit of all visitors. No radios, boomboxes, musical instruments, tape players or similar noise producing devices may be used in the campgrounds from 11:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m. Personal headsets are recommended during this time. Campers should also be quiet enough not to disturb their neighbors. Quiet hours in the campgrounds are strictly enforced. From 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. noise producing devices such as radios and boomboxes should be used with consideration for other park visitors. In-line Skates:

They are restricted in many areas of the park. Check with a Ranger or at the Visitor Center for more information.

PLANTS AND FLOWERS:

All plants and flowers are protected at the park and may not be picked with the exception of edible fruits, nuts, berries and asparagus. Mushrooms may also be collected, but be cautious. Traffic:

All traffic laws, including one-way roads, are enforced. SCUBA DIVING:

All divers should remember to follow safe established diving practices. Always dive with a buddy. Diving flags are required. ROCK CLIMBING:

The park is not maintained for rock climbing. Loose rocks may be encountered. Rock climbing at Devil’s Lake is at YOUR OWN RISK. WINTER ACTIVITIES:

A winter map of trails is available from the north shore Visitor Center. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are permitted, though specific trails may not be designated exclusively for such use. Trails are not maintained for winter hiking, which is neither recommended nor prohibited. Trails are usually icy and snow covered for much of the winter. The park does not rent skis, but snowshoes may be available for free loan when the Nature Center is open. The lake freezes over for about three months each winter, and ice fishing is popular. The park staff does not monitor conditions, thickness, or safety on the ice. Be cautious at all times. Approximately 12 campsites are available for winter camping. Pit toilet restrooms are available.

58 DEVIL’S LAKE STATE PARK

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Driving Tour of Devil’s Lake State Park

17 miles - 1 to 2 hours Starts at the north shore of Devil’s Lake Driving Tour Map on pages 60-61 This driving tour includes excellent views of the lake, scenic vistas, an introduction to the land’s formation story, and a sampling of the park’s human history. Enjoy the drive! Safety Rules Do NOT read while you drive! Designate a non-driver to be the navigator and narrator. Do not stop in the roadway. When you stop, you MUST use a regular parking spot or designated vehicle pull-off area. There are no posted signs designating driving tour locations. Start at the lake’s north shore, near the headquarters or Visitor Center – North shore picnic area – There are at least 10 ancient native mounds in the lake’s north shore area, dating back over 1000 years. You’ll find effigies of a lynx, panther, and bear, along with some linear and conical mounds. All were hand built without the use of metal digging tools. The true purposes of these mounds are lost to history, but are still open to speculation ideas include: burials, religion, artistry, worship, and rituals.

Think about it - - - if you were living as a pre-historic person, would the lake be a good place to live? Drive across the railroad tracks and turn left, go out the north shore exit road. North shore exit road – The stream alongside the railroad tracks and the exit road does not drain from the lake, but descends from the Steinke Basin plateau behind the East Bluff. In 2008, seven inches of rain fell in just a few hours. This little stream became a rampant torrent, destroying the railroad tracks.

Think about it - - -in a contest of strength, what would win: a 185-ton train engine pulling a million-pound train… or a two-hour flood of this little creek? Turn left at the stop sign onto County Road DL. Go to the next stop sign, continue straight across. At the next stop sign, turn left onto South Shore Road. Head up the hill and stay on the paved road. Southbound behind the west bluff – watch for: the top of the hill to your left, as-the-crow-flies, in less 3 At than a half-mile one would come to the west bluff overlooking the lake. There, in 1894, Palisade Park was planned to be a resort for the “best class of people.” A gravel road ahead (don’t take it) goes 2 miles and ends near the defunct Badger Army Ammunition Plant of 19421975. Along this dead end road are 3480 acres of the South Bluff State Natural Area within the state park. There are no trails in the area.

Think about it - - - why keep more than 3000 acres in a popular park without trails?

Stay on the paved road and curve left. Head down the winding “Snake Hill.” At the bottom of the hill (watch for pedestrians) you’ll cross Messenger Creek; turn right into the boat landing parking lot. Messenger Creek – On the way down the winding hill, you passed the location of the tree house, cabin, and assembly hall of the Old Settlers’ Association of 1904. Farther along the lakeshore is the location of the Ringling Brothers vacation home. At one point there were 31 private cottages along the south shore.

Think about it - - - should people of wealth, power, and privilege get to build houses in the most fabulous places, or should those places be set aside for all to visit? Turn right out of the boat landing parking lot, go about two hundred yards along the shore with the lake on your left. Park in one of several roadside pull-offs on your right. South Shore – This cut through the Baraboo Hills was made by an ancient river, slicing through the land over eons of time. The only water input into Devil’s Lake is the tiny Messenger Creek and springs. Devil’s Lake has no natural outlet and rests about 130 feet higher in elevation than the Baraboo River, three miles away. Devil’s Lake is a little less than 50 feet deep. In the lake you’ll find large, smallmouth & rock bass, yellow perch, crappie, walleye, northern pike, bluegill, and brown trout.

Think about it - - - this road wasn’t originally here. Nor were the trails. Imagine walking around the lake… climbing over boulders and jumping from rock to rock. Would 3-½ miles be an easy stroll? Continue ahead about ½-mile and turn left into the main south shore picnic area. Continue to one of the parking lots and park in a place that gives a good view of the lake and the bluffs. South shore picnic area - Several hotels existed on the shores of Devil’s Lake beginning in 1866 and ending about 1904. Most visitors arrived by steam train. There were vineyards, restaurants, gardens, bands, regattas, contests, plays, croquet games, dances, hayrides, ice skating, lake excursions footraces, … even masquerade balls.

Think about it - - - imagine arriving via a smoke-belching steam train in 1877. You could stay a week in a lakeside hotel, tour the lake on a small paddlewheel boat, and trek the trails in a long dress or would you rather camp? Go back out of the south shore picnic area, and turn left at the stop sign onto South Lake Drive. Cross the railroad tracks, go another ½-mile. Take the 2nd right turn into the C.C.C. area. Park in the back of the parking lot, near the bronze statue. C.C.C. parking lot – From 1934 to 1941, during the Great Depression, the Civilian Conservation Corps operated a work camp for about 200 young men on this site. These men worked for the U.S. government and completed projects such as a reservoir, picnic tables, signs, removed invasive plants, and guided tourists. Much of their work still exists: the park headquarters, the Rock Elm Shelter, and much of the labor-intensive terraced trails and steps.

■ The C.C.C. camp area is now the park’s group camp. North, across the road and up the very steep C.C.C. trail, are some of the most popular rock climbing areas. Think about it - - -Why would you live in a bunkhouse and dig dirt, carry rocks, pry boulders, put up buildings, sit on a bench to eat your chow, and sleep on a bunk at night for very little pay? Turn right out of the CCC parking lot and continue east. As you drive two miles, watch for: A change from big rocks to a hill of smaller loose rock and gravel on your left - From 1922 to 1967, there was a rock quarry and buildings near here. The smaller loose rocks on your left are leavings from that quarry. You can still find foundations of the workers’ quarters in the woods, though the quarry itself is officially off limits now. To retrieve the valuable quartzite rock, railroad tracks were laid right to the quarry. Before this quarry, there was a quarry on the east shore of Devil’s Lake until 1919.

In 1-¼ miles, watch on your right for a small roadside pulloff – the Sandstone parking area. Roznos Meadow is the open area in this valley. Today, the meadow is kept open by periodic prescribed burning. On some summer nights, this vista is awash with the lights of thousands of fireflies. Hawks like to sit atop these few trees, watching the meadow for an easy lunch of mouse, vole, or rabbit.

Continue driving east (the way you were going.) At the stop sign, turn right on Highway 113. Go about ¼ –mile, and turn right into the gravel parking lot by the Ice Age Trail sign. Roznos Meadow parking lot – The 1000-mile Ice Age Trail enters the park near Parfrey’s Glen, loops around Devil’s Lake, and includes about 13 of the park’s 29 miles of trails. The valley you are in was not carved by a glacier, but a glacier was here. Look west (away from the road) and see what looks like a flat-topped earthen dam blocking the end of the valley. This is a textbookperfect terminal moraine. Rock and dirt were pushed along by an advancing glacier, and then left in place at the end point of the glacier’s farthest advance. The C.C.C. parking lot and the Group Camp sit atop this moraine.

Think about it - - - what would happen if there were two of these glacial “dams” a mile apart in the same valley? Turn right out of the parking lot, go 100 yards, and turn left on County Road DL. Go two miles and turn left into the Parfrey’s Glen parking lot. Parfrey’s Glen – is the first Wisconsin State Natural Area, designated in 1952. It is a natural treasure, harboring rare plants, animals, and birds within the sandstone conglomerate walls of the narrow gorge. Many plants found here are most commonly found much farther north in Wisconsin, Michigan and even Canada. It’s a dynamic place, usually placid and quiet, but punctuated by flooding and intense erosion that continues to reshape the ravine. (If you choose, a walk into the glen will take at least an hour, and will cover 1-½ miles roundtrip on foot.)

Think about it - - - why are many species of plants in Parfrey’s Glen the same as plants a few hundred miles north of here?

DEVIL’S LAKE STATE PARK 59 Turn right out of the Parfrey’s Glen parking lot onto County Road DL. Go back two miles to the stop sign. Turn right on Highway 113 and head uphill. Drive 1-½ miles… Uphill on Highway 113 – As you crest the hill, you’ll cross the Ice Age Trail. The highest elevation in the park is a mile east of here, about 600’ higher than the lake level. This eastern section of the park seems to have more sightings of wildlife: deer, coyotes, rattlesnakes, eagles, hawks, owls, and even a badger.

Think about it - - - it seems wildlife is a bit more abundant out here. Why? Turn left on County Road DL (about ½ -mile after you crest the top of the long winding hill.) Go about 1/2-mile and turn left into the Steinke Basin parking lot. Steinke Basin – You’re in an extinct glacial lake bed, about 240 feet higher than Devil’s Lake’s elevation. You’ll find it to be a diverse area with meadow, pine trees, hardwood forest, a stream, and ponds. Beavers dammed the stream and flooded some low areas. Trees that couldn’t tolerate “wet feet” died, but the slow decay of trees has created food for woodpeckers – insects in the dead wood. This area was farmed for generations, and some land is still leased for hay production. Steinke Basin is the hub of the park’s cross-country ski trails in the winter. To the north, across the road and in the woods, are some kettles – odd acre-sized round pits left after huge ice blocks from the retreating glacier melted. Also across the road to the north, behind the pine trees and north of the windmill frame, you might be able to find a large reddish rhyolite boulder, a geologic erratic all the way from Michipicoten Island, Canada.

Think about it - - - how did a single distinctive rhyolite boulder get here all the way from Canada? Turn left out of the Steinke Basin parking lot onto County Road DL. Continue 1-½ miles all the way to the stop sign. (Do NOT turn left into the one-way exit road or into the Quartzite Campground) Turn left into the main north shore entrance of the park. North Shore Entrance - If you’re lucky, you’ll get to drive this road on a sunny autumn day when you’re entering a brilliant tunnel of luminous yellow maple leaves. Winding downhill, along the last of the entrance road, you’ll pass the completely overgrown location of the elegant Claude house, which overlooked the lake from 1857 to 1953. In the early 1900’s private cabins, walltents, and “claim-it-and-use-it” campsites proliferated around the northeast corner of the lake. Over the years, there have been waterslides, toboggan runs, horse races, train stations, big band dances, and even a zoo here in the park.

Think about it - - -If Devil’s Lake was not protected as a state park, how might it look today? The driving tour finishes at the same north shore area where you started. Hopefully you enjoyed your jaunt around this remarkable area. If you want to explore more of the park, you’ll have to use some shoe leather. Find Balanced Rock, have lunch at the historic Chateau, explore the West Bluff, swim at the beach, rent a canoe or 101 other things to do at Devil’s Lake State Park.

Enjoy your visit!

60 DEVIL’S LAKE STATE PARK Old Lake Rd

123 Quartzite Campground

Park Boundary

Park Rd.

Nature Center

West Bl uff Tra il – 1 . 4 mi West Bluff – 1.0 mi

Park Headquarters st Ea

b le d Ro cks Tr a il

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1.7

Balanced Rock Trail 0.4 mi

Rd ma Bur

Pet Swim Area 6

Bo ardwalk

South Shore Concessions

East Bluff: A difficult trail, asphalt with stone steps, winds between bluff edge and adjacent woods. Scenic views with drop-offs. Elephant Cave and Elephant Rock at the north end. CCC: A difficult, steep trail; [1.7 mi, estimated hiking time, 1.5 hours] stone steps on the south East Bluff Woods Trail & face of the East Bluff. Loop: Medium trail with Scenic views. two steep grades that is mostly [0.3 mi - estimated hiking time, 45 minutes] woods. Devils Doorway: An easy, [3.4 mi, estimated hiking time, 2.5 hours] level, asphalt trail along the East Bluff Woods: An edge of the top of the difficult easy/medium, gravel and East Bluff Trail, views of Devils Lake with drop-offs. Reached from the north grassy trail, in woods, with a steep grade up the East Bluff from north via the East Bluff Trail or from the south via the Balanced Rock, Potholes to south. [1.3 mi, estimated hiking time, 1.25 hours] or CCC trail. [0.1 mi - estimated hiking time, 15 minutes Balanced Rock: A difficult, steep trail; stone steps on the south face of the east bluff. Spectacular Views, with Balanced Rock along the way. [0.4 mi - estimated hiking time, 45 minutes]

Steinke Basin Loop 2.4 mi

East Bluff Woods Trail and Loop 3.4 mi

Upland Trail Loop 3.8 mi

Devil’s Doorway Trail 0.1 mi

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East B luff T rail Potholes Trail – 0.3 mi Grottos Trail – 0.7 mi G r o u p Cam p Trail – 0.5 m i

Contact Station South Shore

Grottos: An easy, wide path along the bottom of the south end of the East Bluff, connecting the Balanced Rock, Potholes and CCC trails. [0.7 mi, estimated hiking time, 30 minutes]

CCC Trail 0.3 mi

e East Bluff – South Fac

Group Camp Railroad

South

Sauk Point: Part of the 1000 mile Wisconsin Ice Age Trail, this medium-difficult wooded, grassy trail runs between Parfrey’s Glen and Highway 113. Highlights include spectacular Group Camp: An easy trail views to the south and the paralleling the South Shore Wisconsin River. Road between the Group Camp [4.5 mi - estimated hiking time, 3.5 hours] and the South Shore Picnic area. Johnson Moraine Loop: [0.5 mi, estimated hiking time, 20 minutes] An easy trail with variable Upland Trail Loop: grades, crosses Co. Hwy. DL A medium trail, grassy twice. Named for the farmer who with variable grades, through owned the land on the north side fields, woods, and brushy area. of DL where a number of kettle Scenic views from the top of the ponds and marshes are located. East Bluff at it’s south end. [3.8 mi - estimated hiking time, 2.75 hours] [2.8 mi - estimated hiking time, 1.5 hours]

Bluff

Parfrey’s Glen Trail: An easy-medium trail with creek crossings. It passes through a deep gorge and ends at a small waterfall. [0.7 mi - estimated hiking time, 1 hour]

Tumbled Rocks: An easy trail, paved, winding through the quartzite boulders at the base of the West Bluff just above the lake. [1 mi - estimated hiking time, 45 minutes]

Potholes: A difficult, steep trail, with stone steps on the south face of the East Bluff. Scenic views. A series of rounded depressions (potholes) near the top. [0.3 mi - estimated hiking time, 30 minutes]

West Bluff: A difficult trail, asphalt and stone steps; a steep climb on the south end, and a less steep but still strenuous climb on the north end. Follows the bluff top; scenic views, dropoffs. [1.4 mi - estimated hiking time, 1.5 hours]

Steinke Basin Loop: An easy trail, grassy and fairly level through an extinct glacial lake bed. Several bridges. A variety of land cover. [2.4 mi - estimated hiking time 1.5 hours]

Roznos Meadow: An easy to medium trail through a prairie with one steep climb to the top of the East Bluff through woods. [1.8 mi - estimated hiking time, 1.75 hours]

Please stay on marked trails and respect the rights of private landowners within the park boundaries.

DEVIL’S LAKE STATE PARK

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Sto for

Park Boundary

Ea Tower

Tower

13 . 5 mi Sauk Point Trail – 4

ail Loop mi

Parfrey’s Glen Natural Area

113

Solum Ln Parfrey’s Glen 0.7 mi Kentview Rd

Roz nos M

Devils Delight Rd

South L ake Drive

ndary

Park Bou

Face

Ste

Roznos Meadow

Ice

e ad ow Tra il – 1 .8 mi

oad

W Marsh Rd

DL 113

Devil’s Lake State Park H alweg Rd

Trails and Roads Hiking Trail Hiking / Bicycling Trail Ice Age Trail Rescue Road Road Pet Picnic Area Driving Tour Route

MILES 0

E S

Dev Ice The feat

and Ice Age National Scientific Reserve Unit

with Trails, Roads, & Driving Tour Facilities Emergency 911 Phone Restroom Bike Trail Head Parking $ Self-Pay Station Nature Center

Shelter Bathhouse Concession & Boat Rental Boat Launch Amphitheater Pet Swimming

jg2002

GET IN TOUCH WITH YOUR WILD SIDE.

608-356-9218 880 Hwy 12, Baraboo, WI Located in the Baraboo Mini Mall at the corner of Hwy. 12 and Cty. W

Come see us in our newly renovated store!

w w w.wildb araboo.com

DEVIL’S LAKE STATE PARK

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We are open days a week

(April through october)

Lake Wisconsin country cLub

www.lakewisconsincc.com | chrisp@lakewisconsincc.com

Golf Outings Weddings Business Meetings Golf Memberships Marina Friday Fish Fry Holiday Brunches

Friday Night Fish Fry Includes Soup and Salad Bar

N1076 golf rd. prairie du Sac, Wi 53578

608-643-4554 restaurant 608-643-2405 golf shop

Just Minutes Away From Devil’s Lake State Park... It’s Like Camping In Your Own Backyard! TM

Smokey Hollow Campground W9935 McGowan Rd • Lodi, WI 53555

(608) 635-4806

Whether you are looking for a weekend filled with activities or the quiet relaxation of a secluded campground, Smokey Hollow is the place for you and your family! www.smokeyhollowcampground.com

Merry Mac’s Campground E12995 Halweg Rd • Merrimac, WI 53561

(608) 493-2367

Welcome to one of the BEST campgrounds in Wisconsin! Merry Mac’s Campground is a family friendly campground nestled between the South shore of Devil’s Lake and Lake Wisconsin.

www.merrymacscampground.com

Baraboo Hills Campground E10545 Terrytown Rd. • Baraboo, WI 53913

(608) 356-8505

We invite you to make Baraboo Hills Campground your home away from home while you visit all the excitement of the Wisconsin Dells, natural beauty of Devil’s Lake State Park, or fun of the Circus World Museum.