One of Devil's Lake State Park's best hiking trails and least well known is the Roznos Meadow Trail. This 2.5-mile easy to moderate linear footpath covers gentle terrain of natural prairies before ascending the East Bluff to meet the Upland Trail. The Roznos Meadow trail is also a part of the Ice Age Trail Devil's Lake Segment. It is most often reached from a trailhead off Highway 113.
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| Wildflowers in the Roznos Meadow at Devil's Lake State Park |
The valley between the South Face of the East Bluff and the South Bluff frames out picturesque views in the Roznos Meadow. If you enter Devil's Lake from Merrimac to reach the South Shore you will have seen this welcoming panorama that builds the excitement of a day trip to the park.
The trailhead for Roznos Meadow is along Highway 113, for all intents and purposes it is outside the park. For that reason, Roznos Meadow is an often overlooked trail. The parking lot at Hwy 113 is also the trailhead for the Ice Age Trail Merrimac Segment.
Roznos Meadow is initially an easy walk that winds through prairies on two-track mowed grass trail. For those intimidated by the heights and difficult climbs on the core trails of Devil's Lake, Roznos Meadow presents a welcome alternative. But, the trail is not without its climb.
After crossing South Park Road the trail exits open terrain and enters deep woods as it begins a long climb to the East Bluff. This climb is the most gentle of the approaches to the East Bluff. Here the trail is a single track that makes several switchbacks alongside a stream. It was enough of a climb to get my heart racing and to notice my breathing. At the crest of the bluff, Roznos Meadows Trail joins the Upland Trail.
Roznos Meadow is 2.5 miles in one direction, which makes for a nice 5-mile out-and-back that will take approximately 2 hours to hike.
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| Woodlands on the Roznos Meadow Trail at Devil's Lake State Park |
Devil's Lake State Park - Roznos Meadow Trail
COUNTY: Sauk
COMMUNITIES: Baraboo, Merrimac
TOTAL MILES: 2.5-Miles linear
DIFFICULTY: Easy then Moderate
POINTS OF INTEREST: Roznos Meadow
CAMPING: Devil's Lake State Park Camping
Directions and Trail Map
Click Map Image to load the full interactive map.
Address for your GPS: 6631 CR-DL, Merrimac, Village of, WI 53561
| Coordinates: 43.405717, -89.675723 |
| 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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| Roznos Meadow Trail at Devil's Lake State Park |
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| Roznos Meadow Trail at Devil's Lake State Park |
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| Roznos Meadow Trail at Devil's Lake State Park |
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| Roznos Meadow Trail at Devil's Lake State Park |
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| Roznos Meadow Trail at Devil's Lake State Park |
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| Roznos Meadow Trail at Devil's Lake State Park |
Links
Devil's Lake State ParkOther 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
Group Camp and Grottos 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