Northern Lights - Devils Lake State Park

We stayed for 4 nights. Some sites have quite a bit of slant but it’s workable. Ours was perfect. Sites are large and open, clean bathrooms and so much to do at devils lake. I can’t wait to go back!

Northern Lights has anything needed for amenities. It provides a camp store for essentials and is priced well. The views of Devils Lake are amazing and provide various activities such as high quality rock climbing, kayaking, swimming, and hiking.

I rarely rate a campground so low, especially since everyone else rates it so highly. My rating is because of the horrible, uneven site, that was on such a bad slope, I could not get even remotely level with 2 sets of leveling blocks. We slept with our bed pitching down the slope. The other major problem was we could barely plug into the electrical pedestal which was put so far away, our 16 ft cord barely made it to our camper. There were also huge tree roots I was afraid might harm my undercarriage.

Sites were good and spacious. Can see neighboring sites though. Fire pits and picnic tables at the site. There is a store to buy simple things you may need. Overall very clean facilities and a quiet place at night. If you have the time to hike I recommend doing it! The views are incredible.

Rock climbing, swimming, hiking but not for beginners, nice variety of woods and open. Bluff lends excellent view after the incline hike! Super busy spot in summer, not so much in winter, just like the other location in the park.

Nice campground our site,226, was secluded but all rocks and tree roots on ground. Lots of tripping hazards in the dark and sharp rocks under tent. Trails are amazing. Bathrooms are clean enough. Did not use showers. Visitor center staff was friendly and informative.

Awesome state park with great outdoor attractions & hiking. We really enjoyed the bluff trail views & hiking. Campground is clean (including bathrooms & showers), staff all helpful & kind. Really enjoyed the dog beach & the lake is gorgeous. I would return in the off-peak season…park, campground & beaches super busy with day visitors & campers. Be careful when making reservations, not all RV sites include electric.

Camped in paired sites 203 & 204. Very little privacy in many of the electric sites including 203, 204 which were in wide open area. There are other electric sites that seemed to have much better privacy and trees. Some sites very near road. The potable water fill- up for RV tanks in very odd location- not on the route into campground. This state park is extremely busy and beach is packed. Lake very pretty and great for swimming , kayaking and SUPs. Really nice hiking trails. Huge camp store and concessions-ice cream. Not an especially good park for biking.

We’re traveling through WI, and had no idea that this state park was here. A local from a nearby town said we wouldn’t be disappointed, and she was right! Got a same-day electric hookups spot for our camper van, reasonably priced, beautiful campground and nearby lake. Dump station and potable water inside campground. We wish we could stay longer.

We stayed at the Northern Lights campground for a Saturday and Sunday night. Saturday night, the campground was packed and one site was blasting music until midnight. Sunday night, many campsites were empty and it was a very peaceful night. Glad that people are having a great time and if that's your vibe, go for the weekend nights. I'm a quiet camper so will probably only come back for a midweek camp. Our site had electric which was clearly designed for an RV but too far from the only flat spot for a tent (partner has a CPAP to run). Great hiking, and it's not far to get to the trails from camp.

I really enjoyed our stay here. We booked the month before we went so spots were limited and we were stuck in group camping which is very open. I prefer state parks because usually every site is surrounded by trees and feels like you are alone in the woods. That was my fault for booking so late in the season. I was impressed at how quiet the camping was being in the more open, communal, group camping!

The trees were turning colors and the hiking was beautiful. It's very busy on the hikes here being so close to the Dells so I would encourage early hikes!

We love this area but way to crowded during the summer. We went in the late fall and it was great. Only a hand full of campers and the trailers where quiet. Kids lived climbing on the rocks.

Aside from some of the windy paths, this place is really nice and peaceful to stay. You can go to Devils Lake and kayak or canoe and swim. Overall a beautiful place in Wisconsin!

We really enjoyed all there was to do at Devils Lake. The bathrooms aren’t the best we’ve encountered on our adventures but they had flush toilets, running water and soap so that was helpful. On the north side of the lake they have rentals available for kayaking and whatnot. We brought our own but the wind was super strong. Tons of hiking trails and sandy beaches to enjoy.

This is one if the busiest State Parks in Wisconsin because it has so much to offer! Great roomy sites, many with electric. Stunning lake surrounded by bluffs and beaches. This campground is located on the Ice Ave Trail. Balanced rock, devils doorway and potholes are just a few of the challenging yet stunning hikes. This park is often full to capacity so camping is your best bet. Great for kayaking, SUP and swimming.

Views like these are hard to beat in Wisconsin, or anywhere really. The cliffs on the side of the lake are phenomenal. An ancient Native American mound is on the site giving it a feel of walking amidst history. The grounds themselves have a great shop, a nice beach, and ambience you can't beat. The park is a good size with lots of trails, some harder to get to than others. It's also not far from the iconic Wisconsin Dells. Definitely worth the trip!

Devil's Lake is a must see.  It is beautiful!  The water and beach are lovely, the hiking and sights are gorgeous.  The campsites are not the most private, but we've never had issues with bad neighbors or anything of the sort, and we have been going here for the past 30 years.

Devil's Lake is a pretty good spot, all things considered. For me though, the hiking around and Rock climbing opportunities were good, but the actual campsites are pretty standard and left me wishing for more tree growth to feel more secluded. But it honestly is a good car camping/family spot. Many young children will have fond memories of their yearly trip to Devil's Lake.

A hidden gem that will challenge you

If you want privacy, some spots are better than others. There are a lot of wide open sites with no trees or vegetation, so it’s like staying on someone’s yard with a bunch of strangers. That said, this is a beautiful park. Lots of cool trails and the lake is perfect for canoeing and kayaking. Showers were very nice and the warm water lasted a long time. Nice playground right next to the shower so the kids could play while we showered.

Absolutely adored. Stopped by on a road trip from Minnesota to Maryland and was my absolute favorite stop!

Awesme hiking and rock climbing. Wonderful bluffs with beautiful view of the lake. The camp grounds are wonderful and we love the beach here. It’s my favorite state park in Wisconsin.

Been going here every year with friends for over a decade. Nice size tent sites, great beaches with some nice amenities, like SUP and boat rentals, snack bar, fishing, etc. Awesome camp store and the hiking is fantastic. Gets busy because of its location to UW, and because it's awesome. ;)

This campground gets really busy peak season but the views are just beautiful, the access to hiking is ideal, and the facilities are great - very clean and well kept up.

Due to the popularity of the park we had to have 2 different sites during our time there - but this was not an issue as they were very close together and moving was a breeze! All sites have a picnic table, fire ring, and flat space for your tent - there are also electrical sites for RV hookups.

There is so much to do at this park! From the crystal clear waters of the lake itself to the hikes along the rock overlooks, you won’t be bored! There are kayaks and canoes and paddle boats to rent at the lake along with a little shop/restaurant that makes the area feel like a mini National Park! Some of the trails connect to the Ice Age Trail that runs throughout WI. Make sure you get to Balanced Rock!

We had such a great time, we’ve already planned a second trip for this summer!

From the building architecture to the towering cliffs, Devil's Lake State Park is absolutely gorgeous. Our family loved climbing the stone steps up the cliffside (like Frodo and Sam following Gollum up Cirith Ungol towards Shelob's Lair). We were absolutely enthralled by watching the eagles soar and swoop above the lake, but below our perch on the cliffside.

We stayed in site #244 in the Northern Lights area. We found the site to be exceptionally wooded, and very private. It was a little difficult to find a level spot for our 10X10 tent, and all options were directly under the trees. Given the ferocity of the lighting storm that greeted our first morning, and the possibility of falling branches, the overhead trees did cross my mind more than once. It was a short walk to the restrooms/shower and drinking water. Depending on a camper's needs, there were many more level and even open, grassy sites that simultaneously offered less privacy. The staff was very helpful; I'd recommend calling to ask advice regarding the "atmosphere" at the various loops if there is a strong preference. There is a campstore available in the campground, as well as a larger store and food service available by the lake. The lake is beautiful, and swimming is an option; however during our visit there were warnings of swimmer's itch being present. We were on a 6-week, 8,000 mile road trip and opted to avoid potential complications.

There are many nearby attractions in the Wisconsin Dells, such as the Ducks in the Dells. We enjoyed seeing the unique sandstone outcroppings. We really enjoyed a rainy morning breakfast at Broadway Diner in Baraboo.

For all the plusses that this state park has to offer, I must now add the truly devilish and even horrific affair of the shower. The shower (at least the one near us) was completely disgusting. It was full of these worm/bug things (I mean there were hundreds nested in the corners--I'm not typically creeped out by bugs). The only shower stall was small and offered no place to set down dry clothing or gear except for one tiny, little hook. I distinctly had the feeling of being in an Alfred Hitchcock movie. And how is this for devilish trickery--we left Wisconsin for Badlands National Park in SD. When turning onto the interstate, the GPS told us we had 666 miles to go. Hmm.

The grounds are surrounded by beautiful landscape. It's quiet and clean. Enough bathrooms and other facilities.

We camped at the Ice Age trail sites. We did an evening hike up the bluffs to watch the fireworks from Baraboo. Cool nights warm day.

This state park offers incredible views with moderate hiking. One of my favorite places to hike and certainly one of the most beautiful Wisconsin has to offer!

One of my favorite parks for camping in WI. Such a variety of activities for families and serious sportsman alike. The lake itself is clean, clear, and beautiful. Swimming, kayak, sailing, also rock climbers are common here. This is a non-motorized boating lake. The hiking is amazing. There are several campgrounds and non reservable sites, but it stays extremely busy in the summer. There are rarely mosquitos, the bath houses are wonderful and kept clean. The surrounding towns also provide activities. Nearby Baraboo is a fabulous little town and it is very close to the Dells and the waterparks and shows.