Finding Peace and Quiet Near Devil’s Lake

May 9, 2025
Derrick Mayoleth
Backyard Adventures, Hiking & Trails, Nature, Tourism
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There’s a lot of public land in the Baraboo Hills—far too much to not find peace and quiet if that’s what you’re after when you’re exploring Central Wisconsin.

Personally, one of my favorite places to escape the crowds is right along the southern edge of Devil’s Lake State Park: the Sauk Prairie Recreation Area (SPRA). This former ammunition plant isn’t for everyone, and that’s kind of the point.

To some visitors, the SPRA can feel like walking into a post-apocalyptic landscape, where empty grasslands stretch between crumbling roads and the stark ruins of a long-abandoned past. The paved roads are full of potholes (some the size of cenotes), the gravel kicks up dust at the lightest touch, and scattered “Keep Out” and “Warning” signs pop up in unexpected places.

And that’s exactly what makes it perfect.

What you’ll find here, almost guaranteed, is quiet (barring the occasional event). Depending on where you park, the SPRA is a choose-your-own-adventure hike. You can wander gravel roads lined with sagging fences, follow old country lanes through fresh green forest, or stroll through open meadows buzzing with insects and alive with the songs of grassland birds.

It’s a good idea to print out a map. There aren’t always signs to guide you. The property’s trails are divided into 3 sections; Northern Trails, Central Trails, and Southern Trails. There’s often no obvious loop or landmarks. You just pick a road and start walking. (That said, it’s also the kind of place where leash laws are often ignored, so be prepared.)

Want something a little more familiar?

If you’re looking for a more conventional hiking experience with similar solitude, head just a little farther west to Baxter’s Hollow State Natural Area. Its forested four-mile trail winds through a beautiful, protected gorge. Even on a busy weekend, you might only pass a hiker or two. It’s a much different experience than navigating the crowded switchbacks to Balanced Rock or along the East Bluff Trail on peak days at Devil’s Lake.

Other Nearby Quiet Spots

There are lots of options for quieter hiking within a short drive of the park, each offering its own unique experience:

Potter’s Woods
Lower Narrows State Natural Area
Hemlock Draw
The Merrimac Preserve

These aren’t well-known tourist destinations. They’re quiet trails, often unmarked and lightly maintained, where nature leads the way. Even on the busiest weekends, you can find a little peace in the Baraboo Hills.

To learn more about these and other nearby natural areas and trails just click right here.

Have a wonderful Mother’s Day Weekend.

Derrick Mayoleth

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.