From snowshoeing and Nordic skiing to ice-fishing and sledding, Baraboo is home to one of the most popular Wisconsin winter recreation areas: Devil’s Lake State Park. As one of the great destinations in Wisconsin for outdoor enthusiasts of all stripes across all seasons, from the moment you arrive, you’ll see why more than three million people visit each year.
The park, situated along the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, offers dazzling views from 500-foot quartzite bluffs overlooking a 360-acre lake. Its 9,000 acres are but an anchor for the more than 27,000 acres of preserved parkland and other natural areas open to public recreation in Sauk County in Baraboo, Known as one of America’s more charming small towns—in part because it’s home to all things Ringling Brothers of circus fame, which includes the historic Ringling House, our elegant bed and breakfast in Baraboo.
It’s the perfect place to begin and end a day of adventure in Devil’s Lake State Park. Our bed and breakfast in Baraboo is just a quick drive to all of the fun at the park. Our space offers historic charm paired with modern comforts for a restful and relaxing stay. Our six guest rooms are tailored for couples or solo travelers with all the amenities one hopes for on a getaway. So, make your plans for a winter-wonderland getaway to Devil’s Lake State Park, and book your lodging at the Ringling House today!
The Top Winter Activities at Devil’s Lake State Park
Whatever it is that gets your blood moving and your heart pumping, Devil’s Lake State Park is the place to do it, and winter is no exception. It’s a small wonder that it’s Wisconsin’s most visited park — on average, more than three million people come here annually. During the winter months, you’ll feel as though you have this entire wonderland to yourself, and it’s only about ten minutes from our bed and breakfast in Baraboo.
Here are some of the most popular winter activities at Devil’s Lake State Park:
- Snowshoeing. Devil’s Lake State Park offers 23 miles of hiking trails for snowshoeing use, 14 of which are along the Ice Age trail. The entire park is open for people to explore at their own comfort level. Two of the best options are the Steinke Basin and Johnson Moraine multi-use trials, which are located on the North-East of the lake. Plan accordingly, though; some of these trails have steps, which can be harder to navigate with snowshoes on. You can even borrow equipment at the Nature Center.
- Cross-country skiing. Locals say that the best cross-country skiing in the area can be found nearby at Mirror Lake State Park, but that doesn’t stop cross-country enthusiasts from cutting their own trails at the park. If you stick to Ronzos Meadow, you’ll see it is relatively flat.
- Sledding. The park has a popular sledding hill right near its entrance, next to the Nature Center, that runs down to the Quartzite Campground. We should note that the park warms to “sled at your own risk.”
- Ice fishing. The surface of Devil’s Lake stays dependably frozen during the winter months, making it an excellent spot to pull up a shack, drill a hole, and drop a line for brown trout and Northern pike, both stocked by state fisheries officials.
- There’s no reason not to visit Devil’s Lake State Park in the wintertime for some good old-fashioned fun, including snowball fights or building a snowman! Grab a thermos of hot cocoa, bundle up, and enjoy the stunning view of the icy lake surrounded by impressive quartzite cliffs.
Stay at Our Bed and Breakfast in Baraboo this Winter
At the Ringling House, our beautiful, historic bed and breakfast in Baraboo, we’ll make sure your day of winter adventures in the Wisconsin cold gets off on the right foot with a fantastic night’s sleep in a comfortable king or queen bed in one of our six guest rooms. Each room is elegantly appointed, with fine furnishing and hotel-grade amenities. All rooms have a backstory about a famed couple that resided in the home at some point over its long history.
Each morning, we’ll have a delicious and hearty breakfast made from scratch and with care, sourced from local ingredients (whenever possible), with sweet and savory options to appease any palate. We’re always happy to accommodate dietary restrictions as best we can—please let us know before check-in.
And when you’re ready to warm up after a day of winter fun at Devil’s Lake State Park, we’ll be here to greet you with recommendations for the best nearby dinner options. Relax in our common areas, including the parlor, library, and music rooms, the perfect warm spaces for relaxing with a drink. So make your plans for a Devil’s Lake State Park winter getaway and book your lodging at our bed and breakfast in Baraboo today!
