30


17 miles - 1 to 2 hours Starts at the north


shore of Devil’s Lake


Driving Tour Map on pages 32-33


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 –


1. 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.


Driving Tour of Devil’s Lake State Park 2. 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.


into the boat landing parking lot.


5. Messenger Creek 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: 3. At the top of the hill


to your left, a half-mile walk would bring you out on top of the west bluff overlooking the lake. There, in 1894, Palisade Park was planned to be a resort for the “best class of people.”


4. A gravel road ahead


(don’t take it) goes 2 miles and ends near the defunct Badger Army Ammunition Plant of 1942-1975. 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


– 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.


6. 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


7. 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.


8. 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.


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.


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