Devil's Lake State Park
The Natural Environment

Nearly 100 species of birds, close to half the total in Wisconsin, nest in the park, and 880 plant species grow in the park. Most of the park is in Wisconsin's Western Coulee and Ridges ecological landscape; a small area near State Highway 113 in the southeastern corner of the park is in the Central Sand Hills landscape.

Some of the larger birds in the park are the screech owl, top left; barred owl, top right; great blue heron, center left;wild turkeys, center right; and turkey vulture, bottom right.

White-tailed deer are plentiful.
DNR Photo

Devil's Lake's State Park's wildflowers include round-leafed hepatica, left, and buttercup, above.

Wisconsin's oldest state natural area, Parfrey's Glen, is in the southeast corner of Devil's Lake State Park. It is a special and fragile place with unique plants, animals, and geology. The area is open only from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Visitors must stay on the designated trail. Pets, food, beverages, fires, and camping are prohibited. Motor vehicles are not allowed beyond the parking lot off Highway DL.

There are three other state natural areas in the park:

• South Bluff/Devil's Nose, the largest of the three
• East Bluff
• Devil's Lake Oak Forest, between the South Shore and the Group Camp.

For more information, ask Dave Bouche, natural resources educator, (608) 356-8301, ext. 140.