This year at Devil’s Lake, the annual First Day hike will be a twilight hike/snowshoe…
It’s Archery Weekend at Devil’s Lake State Park! It’s also time for the Badger Steam & Gas Show near Reedsburg and that’s just some of what is going on around Sauk County this weekend. Time for our report!
Weather News
This is going to be one of those weekends where you just keep your raincoat nearby. The experts are generally saying it will be wet on Friday with rain or thunderstorms on and off all weekend. In between the wet, we’ll have some sun and humidity with temps in the 80s on both Saturday & Sunday. So really, it’s anyone’s guess. :). Here’s one report.
Trail Conditions
Area trails are all in fairly good summer condition, but if we do get rain, you can expect things to get muddy. In wet conditions, the trails and stairways of Devil’s Lake State Park’s popular East Bluff & West Bluff Trails get very slippery.
Nature & Wildlife
You can tell autumn is on the way. Each evening more and more Canada Geese are coming into Devil’s Lake for the night. I’ve also seen larger groups of adolescent cranes gathering in the farm fields around the Baraboo area as well. It’s that time of year!
Did you know that you can learn what flowers are blooming at Devil’s Lake State Park by stopping up to the Nature Center? Just check the board, it is either outside the door or in the geology room. :)
Devil’s Lake State Park Activities & Events
Thursday, August 15th
8:30 pm to 10:30 pm – Guided Full Moon Paddle
Join us for a unique way to explore the lake – at night! We’ll decorate our boats with glow sticks before launching out into the night. You’ll need to bring your own kayak, canoe, or boat to participate. Please call to preregister, by calling the Nature Center at (608) 356-8301 Ext. 140, so we can have enough glow sticks. This program is best for adults and children 10 and older. Meet at the North Shore Boat Launch.
Friday, August 16th
5:00 pm to 7:30 pm – Friday Fish Fry
The Barn Restaurant will be hosting the Friday Fish Frys at Devil’s Lake outside the Chateau throughout the summer.
8:00 pm to 9:30 pm – Park After Dark
Explore the world of nocturnal animals. Bring your sense of adventure and we’ll bring some of our high-tech gear to discover the secrets of the night! The hike will go along the eastern section of the Johnson Moraine Trail and be about a mile and half in length. This program is best for kids 7 and older and adults, but open to “kids” of all ages. Meet at the Steinke Basin Parking Lot.
Saturday, August 17th
11:00 am to 12:00 pm – Animal Feeding Day
Watch the animals in the Nature Center have lunch! Watch the box turtles munch on some salad. See the garter snake slurp down a worm. Look at the treefrogs as they tackle a cricket or two. This program is great for all ages.
11:30 am to 12:30 am – Meet the Bee Keepers
Check out the Nature Center’s beehive! Come visit with the beekeepers and watch as they take care of the hive. This program is great for all ages. Happening outside the Nature Center.
12:30 pm to 3:30 pm – Archery Days
Join us for a fun afternoon of archery! Drop in any time to try your hand with a bow and arrow. Whether you are experienced with a bow or never tried, we’ll have certified instructors to help kids of all ages with some target practice. Meet near the north shore boat launch.
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm – Kayak Tour
Go on a kayak adventure at Devil’s Lake! Guides will take you on a 2-hour tour of the lake exploring the geology, history and lake’s wildlife. Space is limited, so you’ll need to preregister. If you need to rent a kayak, please let us know when you register. The rental fee is $25 for a single kayak and $45 for a double. To register, please contact the Nature Center at (608) 356-8301 ext. 140. This program is best for adults and children 10 and older. Meet at the Chateau (North Shore Concessions).
7:00 pm to 8:00 pm – Rope Rescue Program
Presented by the Baraboo District Ambulance Service – Find out what happens when there’s an emergency on the bluffs of Devil Lake. Staff from the Baraboo District Ambulance Service will show you the techniques and equipment used in rope rescues. Happening outside the Chateau (North Shore Concessions).
Sunday, August 18
12:30 pm to 3:00 pm – Archery Days
Join us for a fun afternoon of archery! Drop in any time to try your hand with a bow and arrow. Whether you are experienced with a bow or never tried, we’ll have certified instructors to help kids of all ages with some target practice. Meet near the north shore boat launch.
Mirror Lake State Park Activities & Events
Saturday, August 17th
10:00 am to 11:30 am – Kayaking Tour of Mirror Lake
We will take a 90-minute tour of the lake and shoreline to discover what lives in the water, in the air, and in the woods. Learn about the human history of Mirror Lake, from a time gone by and before the Lake was a designated park. In the event of light rain, we will still go out. Heavy rain and/or lightning the event will be cancelled. If you need to rent a kayak, you may do so at the Mirror Lake Rentals at the boat landing. Please plan to arrive early to secure your rental prior to the departure time of 10 a.m. Please pre-register with the park office as there is a group size limit. Meet at the boat landing near the rentals.
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm – Hope The Whooping Crane
Hope the Whooping Crane to visit Mirror Lake! Come join the International Crane Foundation staff as we explore and learn about Whooping Cranes. We will discuss the efforts to conserve habitat and culture surrounding this magnificent creature. And rumor is that Hope, the Whooping Crane will be making a special appearance, bring your cell phone or camera for a great selfie opportunity. Meet at the amphitheater.
7:00 pm to 8:30 pm – Music In the Park
Join the Friends of Mirror Lake as they bring Patchouli and Terra Guitarra to the outdoor amphitheater stage as part of the Music in the Park summer concert series. Their soulful fusion of blazing Spanish and world guitar instrumentals, spine-tingling vocal harmonies, and epic folk-rock anthems are infused with a visible onstage chemistry. This duo has been at the park before and is a very popular concert. The concert is free. A valid park sticker is required for entrance to the park. Bug spray is recommended. Bring your own chairs or sit on the rock seating. Rain location: Bluewater Bay Shelter.
Featured Nearby Events
Friday, August 16th
8:00 am to 5:00 pm – Badger Steam & Gas Show
Join us for the 56th Annual Badger Steam & Gas Engine Club Show. Feature tractors/brands are Minneapolis Threshing Machine Co., Minneapolis Steel & Iron (“Twin City”), Moline Plow, and Minneapolis-Moline. Live demonstrations featuring all brands of steam and gas tractors and engines. 29 buildings on the grounds. Free parking. Shuttle rides on grounds in exhibit and parking areas. 264 acres of historical exhibits. Adults: $10.00 Children under 12 are free with a paid adult. More Information.
Saturday, August 17th
7:30 to 1:00 pm – Baraboo Farmer’s Market
Started by local growers in the late-1980’s, the Baraboo Farmers’ Market has become a favorite feature of downtown life for Baraboo residents, who avail themselves of the wealth of locally produced agricultural products every Wednesday and Saturday morning from early May through October. Only Wisconsin-produced fruits, vegetables, meats, cheese, eggs, bakery items, flowers and perennials, bedding plants, jams and jellies, maple syrup and honey, herbs and herbal products, and other commodities are allowed to be sold at the market. More Information
8:00 am to 5:00 pm – Badger Steam & Gas Show
Join us for the 56th Annual Badger Steam & Gas Engine Club Show. Feature tractors/brands are Minneapolis Threshing Machine Co., Minneapolis Steel & Iron (“Twin City”), Moline Plow, and Minneapolis-Moline. Live demonstrations featuring all brands of steam and gas tractors and engines. 29 buildings on the grounds. Free parking. Shuttle rides on grounds in exhibit and parking areas. 264 acres of historical exhibits. Adults: $10.00 Children under 12 are free with a paid adult. More Information.
Sunday, August 18
8:00 am to 5:00 pm – Badger Steam & Gas Show
Join us for the 56th Annual Badger Steam & Gas Engine Club Show. Feature tractors/brands are Minneapolis Threshing Machine Co., Minneapolis Steel & Iron (“Twin City”), Moline Plow, and Minneapolis-Moline. Live demonstrations featuring all brands of steam and gas tractors and engines. 29 buildings on the grounds. Free parking. Shuttle rides on grounds in exhibit and parking areas. 264 acres of historical exhibits. Adults: $10.00 Children under 12 are free with a paid adult. More Information.
It’s hard to believe that we are this deep into August already! I asked our friends over on Facebook if their kids had gone back to school yet and some said they had gone back as early as August 8th! Nuts! So, you might imagine that things would be slowing down at Devil’s Lake then, but that’s not the case. In fact, often the busiest weekend of the year isn’t until Columbus Weekend in Mid-October!!
Have fun. Be Safe!
For nearly 2 decades the Skillet Creek blog has focused on 3 main goals; To inspire you to visit and explore the Devil’s Lake region, to help you get the most your visit by sharing tips, events, and other helpful information. Lastly to advocate for our environment & wildlife and talk about how we can keep our natural areas amazing now and into the future! That last goal can sometimes cause controversy, but it’s the only way we can accomplish the first two. – Derrick Mayoleth, Owner.
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