Devil's Lake West Bluff Trail Hiking Guide
The most-hiked route at Devil's Lake starts on the West Bluff: climb the north staircase, walk the quieter western rim, drop to the South Shore, then go up past Balanced Rock and home along the East Bluff. Mapping apps put the full circuit at about 4.8 miles with roughly 1,000 feet of gain, because you climb both bluffs. If that is more than you want, the West Bluff alone makes a 2.8-mile out-and-back.
Permit: Wisconsin state park vehicle pass required at Devil's Lake: daily $13 (WI plates) or $16 (out of state); 12-month $28 or $50
The Loop, Piece by Piece
AllTrails lists "Devil's Lake via West Bluff Trail" as a 4.8-mile loop with about 1,003 feet of gain, usually two and a half to three hours. It strings together three DNR trails: the West Bluff (1.4 miles), Balanced Rock (0.4 miles) and the East Bluff (1.7 miles), with a flat lakeside walk past the South Shore beach in between. The DNR rates all three bluff trails most difficult; AllTrails calls the whole loop moderate. Expect the effort to come in two hard bursts rather than one long grind.
Why Start on the West Side
Going clockwise from the North Shore puts the long north staircase first, while your legs are fresh; it climbs more than 400 feet. The West Bluff rim that follows is the gentler half, surfaced in old, rough blacktop broken by stone steps, with views back across the water to the East Bluff's cliffs. You save the steep, rocky scramble up to Balanced Rock for the second half, and finish by descending the East Bluff to where you parked.
The Short Version
Walked on its own, the West Bluff Trail is about 2.8 miles out and back, which matches the DNR's 1.4-mile one-way length. It is the better choice on a hot afternoon or with anyone who does not want the Balanced Rock talus. The south end, off South Lake Road, climbs more gradually than the north stairs, so turning around there and retracing the rim keeps the hardest climbing to one staircase.
Parking While the North Shore Is Rebuilt
The north staircase starts near the North Shore beach, where the DNR is rebuilding parking lots in phases from early August 2026 to spring 2027, so spaces there are limited. The loop works from either end: park at the South Shore and start with Balanced Rock instead, or begin the West Bluff from South Lake Road. The DNR also notes lots across the park often fill before 9 a.m. on summer and fall weekends.
Ice, Dogs and the Pass
In winter both bluffs are generally ice-covered, and the north stairs and the Balanced Rock talus are the worst of it; traction devices are the minimum. Dogs may hike the loop on a leash of 8 feet or less but not onto the swimming beaches, which matters where the route passes the South Shore; the off-leash pet swim area is near the South Shore boat launch. Your car needs a state park admission pass, sold at kiosks at both shores or online.
Hiking tips for Devil's Lake West Bluff Trail
- Go clockwise from the North Shore so the long staircase comes first.
- Cut it to the 2.8-mile West Bluff out-and-back on hot days or with a tired group.
- Park at the South Shore and start with Balanced Rock while North Shore lots are under construction through spring 2027.
- Carry traction devices from late fall to spring; the stairs and talus ice over.
- Keep dogs on the trail side of the South Shore beach; the off-leash pet swim area is by the boat launch.
Nearby trails to explore
- Devil's Lake East Bluff Trail
- Devil's Lake Balanced Rock Trail
- Pewit's Nest Trail
Hike this trail with TrailMates
The West Bluff loop is the classic Devil's Lake circuit, and it goes faster with company on the climbs. Use TrailMates to find Madison hikers heading to Devil's Lake. Download the TrailMates app to connect.