Timber rattlesnakes live at Devil’s Lake State Park. They are present, documented, and legally protected — but an encounter on the trail is genuinely uncommon. The species is secretive by nature, avoids human activity, and almost always retreats before a hiker gets close. The park’s 13 known snake species include only one venomous species: the Timber rattlesnake.
Across all of Wisconsin, only about one rattlesnake bite is recorded every four years, and only two deaths from rattlesnake bites have been verified statewide since 1900. The risk is real, but should be understood in proportion.
The most recent documented incident in the park on record was in the summer of 2000, when a dog was bitten on the Steinke Basin Trail.
Where Rattlesnakes Are Found in the Park
Timber rattlesnakes at Devil’s Lake favor rocky, sun-warmed terrain. Encounters — rare as they are — are most likely on the East Bluff trails and in the upland rocky areas above the lake, where exposed ledges and talus slopes provide the warmth and cover the species requires. The open shoreline, beach areas, and campgrounds are not typical habitat. If you’re hiking the East Bluff or the rocky ridgelines, stay on the designated trail, watch your footing on exposed rock, and pay attention to where you place your hands when scrambling. The snakes are not looking for you.
Protected status & behavior
Protected Wild Animal — Wisconsin
Under Wisconsin law, it is illegal to take or kill a Timber rattlesnake except in an immediate life-threatening situation involving a human or domestic animal. Do not approach, handle, or attempt to relocate one.
How They Behave
- Avoid areas with human activity whenever possible
- Typically retreat or hold still when approached — they rarely strike without direct provocation
- Most likely to be found basking on rock in early morning or after cool nights
- Will rattle as a warning before striking — a sound you are unlikely to miss
- Remaining on designated trails is the most effective way to avoid contact
If you are bitten
While Waiting for Help
- Stay calm and stop moving — exertion speeds venom circulation
- Move away from the snake and out of striking range
- Remove rings, watches, and tight clothing before swelling begins
- Keep the bite site at or below heart level
- Clean the wound and cover with a clean, dry dressing
- Note the snake’s color and pattern if you safely can — it helps with treatment
What Not To Do
- Do not apply a tourniquet
- Do not apply ice or cold packs
- Do not cut the wound or try to suction venom
- Do not drink caffeine or alcohol
- Do not attempt to catch or handle the snake
Source: Mayo Clinic — Snakebites: First Aid (updated August 2024)
Other snakes at Devil’s Lake
Northern Water Snake — Common, Non-Venomous, Defensive
The snake visitors are most likely to see at Devil’s Lake is the Northern Water Snake, not the rattlesnake. It’s common along the shoreline, rocky outcroppings near the water, and the bank areas around the lake. It is not venomous, but it carries an anticoagulant in its saliva that can cause significant bleeding from a bite. It is also more aggressive than the Timber rattlesnake, particularly if cornered. Give it space and do not attempt to handle it.
Northern Water Snake at Devil’s Lake State Park
One behavior that surprises swimmers: if a Northern Water Snake appears to be swimming directly toward you, it is not attacking. The snake is trying to get past you and reach the shore or a specific route it’s already committed to. The right response is to calmly move out of its path and let it pass.
The Northern Water Snake is grayish-brown with a banded neck and alternating dark blotches along its back. It commonly reaches 53 inches. You may see it basking on rocks and stumps or hunting near the weed beds in shallow water.
All Snakes in the Park
Devil’s Lake State Park is home to approximately 13 snake species. They range from the Red-bellied Snake — one of the park’s smallest at roughly 12 inches — to the Black Rat Snake, which can reach five feet. Only the Timber Rattlesnake is venomous. All others are harmless to humans, though any snake will defend itself if handled or cornered.
As a visitor, the right approach with any snake is simple: observe from a distance, stay on trail, and let it move on its own terms.
Species information: Lange, Kenneth L. Ancient Rocks and Vanished Glaciers. Worzalla Publishing Company, Stevens Point, Wisconsin. 1989, p. 72.