Nature Center
Scroll Down for 2011 Nature Center Events
Nature Center hours are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily in season. After October 14, the Nature Center is closed most days. Throughout the winter, it may be open some weekends, and even some weekdays for limited hours. If you’re planning a visit in which attending a nature program or visiting the Nature Center is crucial, please call ahead to find out the latest program schedule and to confirm that the Nature Center will be open that day.
A three-dimensional landform model of the park will bring the park terrain into sight from a bird’s-eye view. A series of panoramas make clear the formation of the valley, once 1,000 feet deep, now half-filled with rock and sediment and topped by the 50-foot-deep Devil’s Lake.
Hands-on items include various bones, furs, shells, and rocks.
Downstairs are many historic photographs dating from the late 1800s well into the 20th century. Children will enjoy the kid’s exploration room with quizzes, activities, and mystery boxes of hidden touchy-feely items!
During the summer, nature programs are scheduled most days at 9:30 a.m. in the Visitor Center. Program themes include snakes, skulls, worms, stories, beavers, rocks, spiders, Indian mounds, beetles, bird watching, bats, plants, geology. Most programs are appropriate for families and all ages. Evening Programs are presented each Saturday night in the Northern Lights Amphitheater. Call ahead for topics and times.
Call the park for more information about these and other events. School groups or individuals wishing to schedule a program or a nature center visit may contact the park naturalist, (608) 356-8301 Ext. 3115, for details and hours.
More Images From The Nature Center
2011 Nature Center Events
May
Spring Wildflower Hike (Families) Saturday, May 7 10:30 – 11:30 am
Spring Bird Hike Wednesday, May 11 7:00 – 9:00 am Meet at Boat Landing
Nature Ramble Saturday, May 14 10:00 – 11:30 am Meet at Steinke Basin
Heron Rookery Walk Wednesday, May 18 6:30 – 7:30 pm
Drop-in at the Beach Let’s Go Fishing Saturday, May 21 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Frog Call Hike Wednesday, May 25 8:30 – 9:30 pm *Rain date: Wed. June 1
Drop-in at the Beach Let’s Go Fishing Thursday, May 26 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Drop-in at the Beach Fabulous Frogs Friday, May 27 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Turkey Vultures Saturday, May 28 10:30 – 11:30 am
Drop-in at the Beach Play – Naturally! Saturday, May 28 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Butterfly Walkway Sunday, May 29 10:30 – 11:30 am
Snakes of Devil’s Lake Monday, May 30 10:30 – 11:30 am
Drop-in at the Beach Butterflies Monday, May 30 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Family Bird Hike Tuesday, May 31 9:30 – 10:30 am
Drop-in at the Beach Bats! Tuesday, May 31 1:00 – 3:00 pm
June
Nature Detective Hike Wednesday, June 1 10:30 – 11:30 am
Meet the Ranger Wednesday, June 1 6:00 – 7:00 pm
Wild Canines Thursday, June 2 10:30 – 11: 30 am
Snakes of Devil’s Lake Friday, June 3 10:30 – 11:30 am
Drop-in at the Beach Fabulous Frogs Friday, June 3 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Drop-in at the Beach Sssnakes Saturday, June 4 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Night Hike Saturday, June 4 8:30 – 9:30 pm
Butterfly Walkway Sunday, June 5 10:30 – 11:30 am
Turkey Vultures Sunday, June 5 1:00 – 2:00 pm
Ice Age & Devil’s Lake Monday, June 6 10:30 – 11:30 am
Drop-in at the Beach Raccoons Monday, June 6 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Historical Auto Tour Tuesday, June 7 9:00 am – 12:00 pm Preregistration Required
Drop-in at the Beach Sssnakes Tuesday, June 7 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Family Bird Hike Wednesday, June 8 9:30 – 10:30 am
Drop-in at the Beach Art in the Park Wednesday, June 8 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
A Lake is Born Thursday, June 9 10:30 – 11:30 am
Firefly Watch Hike Thursday, June 9 7:30 – 8:30 pm
Buggin’ Out Friday, June 10 10:30 – 11:30 am
Drop-in at the Beach Let’s Go Fishing Friday, June 10 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Turkey Vultures Saturday, June 11 10:30 – 11:30 am
Drop-in at the Beach Play – Naturally! Saturday, June 11 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Elephant Rock Hike Sunday, June 12 9:00 – 11:00 am
Butterfly Walkway Sunday, June 12 10:30 – 11:30 am
Ice Age & Devil’s Lake Monday, June 13 10:30 – 11:30 am
Snakes of Devil’s Lake Monday, June 13 1:00 – 2:00 pm
Drop-in at the Beach Dragonflies Tuesday, June 14 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Drop-in at the Beach Art in the Park Wednesday, June 15 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Wild Canines Wednesday, June 15 10:30 – 11:30 am
Meet the Ranger Wednesday, June 15 6:00 – 7:00 pm
Drop-in at the Beach Sssnakes Thursday, June 16 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Bat Watch Thursday, June 16 7:30 – 8:30 pm
Family Bird Hike Friday, June 17 9:30 – 10:30 am
Drop-in at the Beach Let’s Go Fishing Friday, June 17 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Drop-in at the Beach Bats! Saturday, June 18 1:00 – 3:00 pm
SPECIAL PROGRAM Stuck on the Rocks Saturday, June 18 7:00 – 8:00 pm
Butterfly Walkway Sunday, June 19 10:30 – 11:30 am
A Lake is Born Sunday, June 19 2:00 – 3:00 pm
Ice Age & Devil’s Lake Monday, June 20 10:30 – 11:30 am
Drop-in at the Beach Pond Critters Monday, June 20 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Family Bird Hike Tuesday, June 21 9:30 – 10:30 am
Wild Canines Thursday, June 23 10:30 – 11:30 am
Firefly Watch Hike Thursday, June 23 7:30 – 8:30 pm
Drop-in at the Beach Butterflies Thursday, June 24 11:00 – 2:00 pm
SPECIAL PROGRAM Observations from an Old Settler Saturday, June 25 10:30 – 11:30 am
Drop-in at the Beach Fabulous Frogs Saturday, June 25 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Butterfly Walkway Sunday, June 26 10:30 – 11:30 am
Turkey Vultures Sunday, June 26 1:00 – 2:00 pm
Ice Age & Devil’s Lake Monday, June 27 10:30 – 11:30 am
Drop-in at the Beach Raccoons Monday, June 27 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Effigy Mounds Hike Tuesday, June 28 10:00 – 11:30 am
Drop-in at the Beach Art in the Park Wednesday, June 29 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Drop-in at the Beach Butterflies Wednesday, June 29 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Meet the Ranger Wednesday, June 29 6:00 – 7:00 pm
Drop-in at the Beach Let’s Go Fishing Thursday, June 30 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
SPECIAL PROGRAM Joy of Birds (Live Raptors) Thursday, June 30 7:00 – 8:00 pm
July
Family Bird Hike Friday, July 1 9:30 – 10:30 am
Drop-in at the Beach Sssnakes Friday, July 1 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Drop-in at the Beach Bats! Saturday, July 2 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Owls: Secret Night Hunters Saturday, July 2 8:30 – 9:30 pm
Butterfly Walkway Sunday, July 3 10:30 – 11:30 am
Drop-in at the Beach Fabulous Frogs Sunday, July 3 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Ice Age & Devil’s Lake Monday, July 4 10:30 – 11:30 am
Drop-in at the Beach Butterflies Monday, July 4 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Drop-in at the Beach Art in the Park Wednesday, July 6 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Drop-in at the Beach Raccoons Wednesday, July 6 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Frog Call Hike Wednesday, July 6 8:30 – 9:30 pm *Rain Date July 13
Drop-in at the Beach Sssnakes! Friday, July 8 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Fallen Log Exploration Saturday, July 9 10:30 – 11:30 am
Drop-in at the Beach Dragonflies Saturday, July 9 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Butterfly Walkway Sunday, July 10 10:30 – 11:30 am
Mammals of Devil’s Lake Sunday, July 10 1:00 – 2:00 pm
Ice Age & Devil’s Lake Monday, July 11 10:30 – 11:30 am
Turkey Vultures Monday, July 11 1:00 – 2:00 pm
Historical Auto Tour Tuesday, July 12 9:00 am – 12:00 pm Preregistration Required
Spider Search Tuesday, July 12 10:30 – 11:30 am
Drop-in at the Beach Art in the Park Wednesday, July 13 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Drop-in at the Beach Butterflies Wednesday, July 13 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Meet the Ranger Wednesday, July 13 6:00 – 7:00 pm
Snakes of Devil’s Lake Thursday, July 14 10:30 – 11:30 am
Bat Watch Thursday, July 14 7:30 – 8:30 pm
Family Bird Hike Friday, July 15 9:30 – 10:30 am
Drop-in at the Beach Let’s Go Fishing Friday, July 15 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Drop-in at the Beach Bats! Saturday, July 16 1:00 – 3:00 pm
SPECIAL PROGRAM Bizarre Baraboo Saturday, July 16 7:00 – 8:00 pm
Butterfly Walkway Sunday, July 17 10:30 – 11:30 am
Drop-in at the Beach Dragonflies Sunday, July 17 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Ice Age & Devil’s Lake Monday, July 11 10:30 – 11:30 am
Fallen Log Exploration Monday, July 18 1:00 – 2:00 pm
Family Bird Hike Tuesday, July 19 9:30 – 10:30 am
Drop-in at the Beach Art in the Park Wednesday, July 13 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
SPECIAL PROGRAM Surveyors Day Wednesday, July 20 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Drop-in at the Beach Dragonflies Thursday, July 21 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Firefly Watch Thursday, July 21 7:30 – 8:30 pm
Snakes of Devil’s Lake Friday, July 22 10:30 – 11:30 am
Drop-in at the Beach Sssnakes! Friday, July 22 1:00 – 3:00 pm
CENTENNIAL PROGRAM Old-Fashion Days Period Dance Saturday, July 23
Butterfly Walkway Sunday, July 24 10:30 – 11:30 am
Turkey Vultures Sunday, July 24 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Ice Age & Devil’s Lake Monday, July 25 10:30 – 11:30 am
Drop-in at the Beach Bats! Monday, July 25 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Drop-in at the Beach Let’s Go Fishing Tuesday, July 26 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Drop-in at the Beach Art in the Park Wednesday, July 27 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Nature Detective Hike Wednesday, July 27 10:30 – 11:30 am
Meet the Ranger Wednesday, July 27 6:00 – 7:00 pm
Nature Ramble Thursday, July 28 10:30 – 11:30 am
Bat Watch Thursday, July 28 7:30 – 8:30 pm
Family Bird Hike Friday, July 29 9:30 – 10:30 am
Drop-in at the Beach Dragonflies Friday, July 29 1:00 – 3:00 pm
SPECIAL PROGRAM Observations from an Old Settler Saturday, July 30 10:30 – 11:30 am
Drop-in at the Beach Play – Naturally! Saturday, July 30 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Special Program Stuck on the Rocks Saturday, July 30 7:00 – 8:00 pm
Butterfly Walkway Sunday, July 31 10:30 – 11:30
Drop-in at the Beach Pond Critters Sunday, July 31 1:00 – 3:00 pm
August
Ice Age & Devil’s Lake Monday, August 1 10:30 – 11:30 am
Mammals of Devil’s Lake Monday, August 1 1:00 – 2:00 pm
Family Bird Hike Tuesday, August 2 9:30 – 10:30 am
Drop-in at the Beach Art in the Park Wednesday, August 3 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
History of Devil’s Lake Wednesday, August 3 10:30 – 11:30 am
Drop-in at the Beach Raccoons Thursday, August 4 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Firefly Watch Thursday, August 4 7:30 – 8:30 pm
Fallen Log Exploration Friday, August 5 10:30 – 11:30 am
Drop-in at the Beach Butterflies Friday, August 5 1:00 – 3:00 pm
SPECIAL PROGRAM Joy of Birds (Live Raptors)
Saturday, August 6 10:30 – 11:30 am
Drop-in at the Beach Dragonflies Saturday, August 6 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Butterfly Walkway Sunday, August 7 10:30 – 11:30 am
Drop-in at the Beach Let’s Go Fishing Sunday, August 6 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Ice Age & Devil’s Lake Monday, August 8 10:30 – 11:30
Fallen Log Exploration Monday, August 8 1:00 – 2:00 pm
Historical Auto Tour Tuesday, August 9 9:00 am – 12:00 pm Preregistration Required
Drop-in at the Beach Butterflies Tuesday, August 9 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Drop-in at the Beach Art in the Park Wednesday, August 10 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Spider Search Wed., August 10 10:30 – 11:30 am
Meet the Ranger Wed., August 10 6:00 – 7:00 pm
Drop-in at the Beach Butterflies Thursday, August 11 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Bat Watch Thursday, August 11 7:30 – 8:30 pm
Family Bird Hike Friday, August 12 9:30 – 10:30 am
Drop-in at the Beach Fabulous Frogs Friday, August 12 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Drop-in at the Beach Bats! Saturday, August 13 1:00 – 3:00 pm
SPECIAL PROGRAM Life and Legacy of Lapham Saturday, August 13 7:00 – 7:45 pm
Butterfly Walkway Sunday, August 14 10:30 – 11:30 am
Snakes of Devil’s Lake Sunday, August 14 1:00 – 2:00 pm
Ice Age & Devil’s Lake Monday, August 15 10:30 – 11:30 am
Nature Ramble Monday, August 15 1:00 – 2:00 pm
Family Bird Hike Tuesday, August 16 9:30 – 10:30 am
Drop-in at the Beach Art in the Park Wed., August 17 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
History of Devil’s Lake Wed. August 17 10:30 – 11:30 am
Fallen Log Exploration Thurs., August 18 10:30 – 11:30 am
Firefly Watch Thurs. August 18 7:30 – 8:30 pm
Nature Detective Hike Friday, August 19 10:30 – 11:30 am
Drop-in at the Beach Let’s Go Fishing Friday, August 19 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Buggin’ Out Saturday, August 20 10:30 – 11:30 am
Drop-in at the Beach Butterflies Saturday, August 20 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Butterfly Walkway Sunday, August 21 10:30 – 11:30 am
Nature Ramble Sunday, August 21 1:00 – 2:00 pm
Ice Age & Devil’s Lake Monday, August 22 10:30 – 11:30 am
A Lake is Born Monday, August 22 1:00 – 2:00 pm
East Bluff Hike Tuesday, August 23 9:00 – 11:30 am
Wild Canines Tuesday, August 23 10:30 – 11:30 am
Drop-in at the Beach Art in the Park Wed., August 24 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Drop-in at the Beach Let’s Go Fishing Wed., August 24 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Meet the Ranger Wed., August 24 6:00 – 7:00 pm
Snakes of Devil’s Lake Thurs., August 25 10:30 – 11:30 am
Bat Watch Thurs., August 25 7:30 – 8:30 pm
Drop-in at the Beach Raccoons Friday, August 26 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Special Program Stuck on the Rocks Friday, August 26 7:00 – 8:00 pm
SPECIAL PROGRAM Observations from an Old Settler Saturday, August 27 10:30 – 11:30 am
Drop-in at the Beach Dragonflies Saturday, August 271:00 – 3:00 pm
SPECIAL PROGRAM Bats of Wisconsin (Live Bats) Saturday, August 27 8:00 – 9:00 pm
Butterfly Walkway Sunday, August 28 10:30 – 11:30 am
Mammals of Devil’s Lake Monday, August 29 1:00 – 2:00 pm
Family Bird Hike Tuesday, August 30 9:30 – 10:30 am
Drop-in at the Beach Art in the Park Wednesday, August 31 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
History of Devil’s Lake Wednesday, August 31 10:30 – 11:30 am
September
Drop-in at the Beach Sssnakes! Thursday, September 1 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Night Hike Thursday, September 1 7:00 – 8:00 pm
Nature Ramble Friday, September 2 10:30 – 11:30 am
Drop-in at the Beach Bats! Friday, September 2 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Buggin’ Out Saturday, September 3 10:30 – 11:30 am
Drop-in at the Beach Let’s Go Fishing Saturday, September 3 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Butterfly Walkway Sunday, September 4 10:30 – 11:30 am
Drop-in at the Beach Dragonflies Sunday, September 4 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Ice Age & Devil’s Lake Monday, September 5 10:30 – 11:30 am
Drop-in at the Beach Raccoons Monday, September 5 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Effigy Mounds Hike Saturday, September 10 10:00 – 11:30 am
Drop-in at the Beach Butterflies Saturday, September 10 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Butterfly Walkway Sunday, September 11 10:30 – 11:30 am
Buggin’ Out Sunday, September 11 1:00 – 2:00 pm
Drop-in at the Beach Bats! Saturday, September 17 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Nature Detective Hike Sunday, September 18 10:30 – 11:30 am
Drop-in at the Beach Let’s Go Fishing Saturday, September 24 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Great Glacial Gathering Sunday, September 25 10:00 am – 3:00 pm