The Grottos Trail connects the Devil's Lake South Shore to trailheads for the Balanced Rock, Potholes, and CCC trails. It is a very easy two-track woodland route that crosses through the Devil's Lake Oak Forest State Natural Area. Connected to the Grottos Trail is the Group Camp Trail which routes to the Group Camp and CCC parking area. Combined these two trails add up to a 1 1/2 mile loop trail.
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| Statue of the CCC Worker on the Group Camp Trail |
Devil's Lake State Park was established in 1911, but much of the developments that are enjoyed today were put in place by 200 laborers of the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression. Today, the Devil's Lake Group Camp is located at the site of the CCC encampment.
Leading from the CCC parking area, the Group Camp trail is a wide and easy single track footpath that progresses towards the South Shore. The trail crosses South Lake Road and meets up with the Grottos Trail.
The Grottos Trail is a hiker's avenue that connects the South Shore with three of the most intense and scenic park trails: Balanced Rock, Potholes, and CCC trails. This wide two-track footpath is very easy going as it traces the base of the talus slopes on the South Face of the East Bluff. The Grottos Trail finishes out back at the CCC parking area.
This very easy loop trail is perfect for families and walkers seeking an easy-going family-friendly loop hike. The loop is a short 1.5-miles and crosses through the Devil's Lake Oak Forest State Natural Area. It is a wooded, shaded, and beautiful walk accessible to anyone who cares to enjoy the great outdoors at Devil's Lake State Park.
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| Group Camp Trail at Devil's Lake State Park |
Devil's Lake State Park - Grottos and Group Camp Loop
COUNTY: Sauk
COMMUNITIES: Merrimac
TOTAL MILES: 1.5-Miles linear
DIFFICULTY: Very Easy
POINTS OF INTEREST: South Shore, CCC historic encampment, Devil's Lake Oak Forest State Natural Area
CAMPING: Devil's Lake State Park Camping
Directions and Trail Map
Click Map Image to load the full interactive map.
Address for your GPS: S5975 Park Rd, Baraboo, WI 53913
| coordinates: 43.434496, -89.739531 |
| From Milwaukee | 2 Hours |
| From Madison | 45 minutes |
| From Green Bay | 2.5 Hours |
| From Wausau | 2 Hours |
| From Minneapolis | 3.5 Hours |
| From Chicago | 3 Hours |
Photos
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| Grotto Trail at Devil's Lake State Park |
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| Grotto Trail at Devil's Lake State Park |
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| Grotto Trail at Devil's Lake State Park |
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| Group Camp Trail at Devil's Lake State Park |
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| Historical Marker on the Group Camp Trail at Devil's Lake State Park |
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| Group Camp Trail at Devil's Lake State Park |
Other Trails at Devil's Lake State Park
East Bluff Trail
West Bluff Trail
Tumbled Rocks Trail
Balanced Rock Trail
Devil's Doorway Trail
Potholes Trail
CCC Trail
Roznos Meadow Trail
Steinke Basin Trail
Upland Trail
East Bluff Woods Trail
Johnson Moraine Trail
Ice Age Trail Devil's Lake Segment
Ice Age Trail Sauk Point Segment
Ice Age Trail Merrimac Segment
Parfrey's Glen Trail