50 Hikes in Wisconsin: Hike #30 – Devil’s Lake State Park

Two weeks ago my husband and I were looking at a Saturday with nothing on the calendar – an absolute rarity. We both had a million things we could have done at home, but we decided to ditch the to-do lists and just go outside.

We hadn’t gone hiking in a couple months, so we pulled out our 50 Hikes in Wisconsin (we have an older edition) and chose Devil’s Lake State Park.

We avoided this park all summer even though it is so close because it is always so busy. Waiting for a crisp, almost chilly day was the perfect strategy – we only ran into a couple of dozen people on the 4+ mile trail, and for half of it had the place to ourselves.

Hike #30 - Devils Lake State Park (1 of 15)

Taking the East Bluff trail walks you straight up the bluff and right out to a view over the lake. I love the contrast between the evergreens on the opposite hill and the trees that have already shed their leaves in the valley.

Hike #30 - Devils Lake State Park (2 of 15)

Hike #30 - Devils Lake State Park (3 of 15)

Hike #30 - Devils Lake State Park (4 of 15)

Hike #30 - Devils Lake State Park (5 of 15)

Hike #30 - Devils Lake State Park (6 of 15)

Hike #30 - Devils Lake State Park (7 of 15)

Hike #30 - Devils Lake State Park (8 of 15)

Hike #30 - Devils Lake State Park (9 of 15)

Hike #30 - Devils Lake State Park (10 of 15)

Here, it almost looks like a field of grass, but really it is all the trees that have tucked themselves in for winter, their bare branches striking against the green pine.

Hike #30 - Devils Lake State Park (11 of 15)

Hike #30 - Devils Lake State Park (12 of 15)

Hike #30 - Devils Lake State Park (13 of 15)

Hike #30 - Devils Lake State Park (14 of 15)

Hike #30 - Devils Lake State Park (15 of 15)

It was good to get away – to get out and go and see and do and not sit at a computer or fold laundry.

Have you taken a complete day off in a while? What did you do?

If not, maybe it’s time. 


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