Devil's Lake Fall Colors in Wisconsin 2025

Thanks to its lush forests, Wisconsin is a wonderful destination for enjoying fall colors. One of the best spots to watch the leaves turn golden is the Devil's Lake State Park in eastern Sauk County, south of Baraboo, within 35 miles of Madison. Devil's Lake is considered to be a sacred place on ancestral Ho-Chunk land. A unique natural oasis is located along the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, at the western edge of the last glacial period ice sheet. The vast park, which spans over 10,000 acres, attracts over 3 million visitors every year.

The Devil's Lake area is glowing with color each fall. With lush amber and rusty trees, the place will give you a fairytale vibe. In the park, you can wander in dense forests covered with the seasonal "golden fog," go hiking, throw a picnic, or just take a slow stroll along the lake waterfront, lined with maple trees. The lake is a magnificent place to enjoy autumn with your family, and the reflections of red and orange in the water create a background for Pinterest-worthy photos.

Best time to see fall colors

Fall foliage season arrives first to the North Shore of Devil’s Lake State Park. The first golden leaves appear in early September, but the real foliage season doesn't begin until the third week of the month. The peak autumn colors season in Devil's Lake State Park falls from late September into early October. During this time, you can see a diversity of amber hues on and around the lake.

Devil’s Lake State Park fall hikes

The East Bluff and West Bluff areas of the park boast amazing fall colors along its wooded trails. At the south end of the East Bluff, you can take the Grottos Trail, an easy and wide 1,6-mile (2.6-km) path, which can be accessed from the east end of the South Shore Picnic Area. You can make your hike longer, combining it with Balanced Rock Trail, Potholes Trail, and the Group Camp Trail. Johnson Moraine Trail is one of the most impressive fall foliage routes in the park. The 3.5-mile (5.8-km) easy loop can be accessed from the Ice Age Campground and Steinke Basin Parking Lot. Being part of the Ice Age Trail, Johnson Moraine Trail is popular for birwatching and running.