It’s appalling that anyone would be complaining at a time like this. Thanks for providing information and links. I’m hoping the park will be back to something like normal before too long.

I too am upset that people would be angry because the park is closed. My boys and I were in Devils lake last August when the heavy rains came, and we tried to stay as long as we could, we were one of the last campers to leave the park. A day after we got home, we were watching the news about the area getting flooded. My heart goes out these folks to have to go thru this again at a much higher level. I do hope that the park is open by my trip, but if its not, its not a big deal because they have other more important things to worry about.

This park has been a refuge for me and my son over the last five years. I appreciate what all the staff has done to keep things so nice there. I hope that you are all getting enough rest and that your work is not too stressfull this week. My prayers go to everyone in the area especially those whose lives are turned upside down right now. Shame on anyone who is upset about vacation plans. My son and I camp there every June and have reservations for this coming weekend. We are sad to not be able to camp but will find alternate plans.

Thanks for all the information, please keep the updates and pics coming. Hopefully the park will re-open soon. My prayers go out to all those who are affected by the flooding.

I am one of the people complained, but in my defense (and the possible defense of others) it was not due to the fact that I was unable to have a vacation (I still took the time off). My frustration was moreso based in the last-minute notification that the park was closed. Never once did I think of putting myself ahead of those whose homes were destroyed, I merely looked to voice my discontent with the last-minute notification on behalf of myself, my group, and any campers who left Friday morning to drive three hours to find the park was closed.

I completely understand the last-minute nature, as the email I received back broke down the entire process and Friday mid-afternoon was as early as I could have been notified.

The thought did cross my mind of driving up there to volunteer for the weekend, but decided against it in the long run, since I would have nowhere to stay (go figure).

To those who are chastising people who voiced their frustration, be more open minded (though I’m sure the same could be said about those who dropped the “F bomb” in emails). People who had plans to camp and are notified hours before leaving as they’re packing the cooler into the car have every right to be angry. Anger from situations like this aren’t based in hatred, but frustration over the situation. I guarantee that there was the occasional bad seed that was downright pissed that they couldn’t vacation in Devil’s Lake, but for every one of those there were probably fifty people who were just upset that last-minute their annual trip was cancelled.

In my situation, I wrote an email that may have been too harsh, but this weekend was the last weekend to spend with my parents before they moved to Virginia, and Devil’s Lake has been tradition for the last 20 years. My frustration was not unfounded.

That being said, I would like to publicly apologize to the webmaster and returner of my email for my attitude and frustration. You understood my perspective immediately and with ease, and responded in a very timely fashion. Best of luck to you out there, and if you open up a camp site for me to sleep at, I will gladly be there to help with restoration.

Thanks for the notes. I’m sure the guys at the park who are taking the brunt of the calls will appreciate your comments.

Oh, and by the way Mirror Lake is open.

We also had reservations to camp last week-end. We went back and forth on Friday morning - not knowing if we should go or not. So I checked the website and found that the park was closed. Our decision was made. This was very early Friday morning. All it took was a check of the website to avoid the wasted drive.

i come from a family of 4 generations that have been visiting devils lake, and w/ these current gas prices and horrible economy was planning on going there this summer. though none of us have camped there since the south shore was closed to camping! (its better over there!) anyway, i am equally devastated by these floods, but i cant understand for the life of me how could any of you discouraged campers not seen or heard the news of how bad this really was? esp. in this day + age of the internet? lack of common sense seems to be the key issue here, not mother nature, or the park keepers!!! god willing we are all able to visit the most beautiful lake in the country again some day soon! good luck up there! -jimmi-chicago, il

For the first time in 20 years of camping at Devils Lake and other state parks we got flooded out. I live in Waukesha and quite a few folks in this area have flood damage or were affected by the floods. I will miss camping at my beloved park, but whats more important is that the people who were affected by the floods get help and assistance so that they can move on with their lives. My thoughts and prayers go out to all who were affected. Devils Lake will reopen and I will be back. Thanks for the great website and the updates. To anyone who complained about the park staff, it is your responsibility to check on weather conditons or the conditions of the park. I have to think that you heard about the flooding since it made national news. It’s not the park staffs fault, they have their hands full just trying to cope with the damage and getting the park open again. Kudos to them and thank you for all you do. God Bless!

I almost went there instead. In the end, I just stayed home and took care of the stuff I should’ve done instead of camping (like laundry).

Thanks for the suggestion!