In addition to being Wisconsin’s most popular state park, Devil’s Lake State Park, which is tucked away in the Baraboo Range, has drawn national notice as one of the country’s most dangerous tourist destinations.
Even while the park welcomes hundreds of thousands of nature enthusiasts each year, its picturesque cliffs, difficult hikes, and glittering lake hide a history of grave dangers that make it one of the riskiest places in America for unwary travelers.
Why Is Devil’s Lake So Dangerous?
High Cliffs and Dangerous Paths
- Cliffside paths: The East Bluff and West Bluff paths are two of the most beautiful but dangerous hiking routes along the 500-foot-tall bluffs that rise above Devil’s Lake. Numerous sections are guardrail-free, and the high drop-offs and slick rocks make it more likely that someone could fall and die—an accident that has happened several times in recent years.
- Devil’s Doorway: a well-known rock formation, this location is infamous for drawing tourists who try risky close-up shots, frequently leading to hazardous slips and near-misses.
- Unpredictable Terrain: In rainy or icy conditions, trails can easily turn dangerous. For unprepared hikers, erosion and loose gravel increase the risks even further.
Risks in the Water
- Drowning Risks: The lake itself has frigid, murky waters, abrupt drop-offs, and is at times more than 47 feet deep. Each year, boaters and swimmers are injured or, sadly, drowned—often as a result of overexertion, ignoring warning signs, or underestimating the freezing temperatures.
- Cliff Divers: Because of the hidden dangers beneath the surface, visitors occasionally leap from rocks into the ocean, a stunt that can cause harm or even death.
Crowding and Absence of Obstacles
Devil’s Lake is one of the busiest parks in the state, with thousands of people swarming its beaches and trails during the summer. With little in the way of protective fence to stop errors at risky locations, the increase in tourists increases the likelihood of accidents caused by congestion.
Notable Events
- Regular Deaths: According to park statistics and local stories, there are at least one or two fatalities annually, usually connected to swimming or trekking mishaps.
- Unprepared Visitors: Even seasoned hikers might be taken by surprise by the harsh terrain; many accidents occur when people attempt challenging treks while wearing inappropriate footwear or disregard warning signals.
- High-Profile Tragedies: Despite the park’s seeming tranquility, there have been isolated SCUBA diving incidents and occasional murders, highlighting the unpredictability of danger.
Advice for Visitors on Safety
- Avoid bluff edges, stick to approved pathways, and never do dangerous selfies or jumps from rock formations.
- Be careful of abrupt drop-offs and cold water temperatures, and only swim in approved places.
- In rainy or icy conditions, wear appropriate footwear and use additional caution.
- To reduce the risk from other hikers, go when it’s less crowded.
Why People Continue to Visit Devil’s Lake
The natural beauty of Devil’s Lake, with its quartzite cliffs and wooded pathways, is nonetheless alluring despite the risks. It is an experience that will never be forgotten by those who are willing to accept its risks.
But Devil’s Lake State Park, a location of both adventure and caution, is ranked among the most dangerous tourist destinations in the United States because to its combination of breathtaking scenery and known hazards.
