The Steinke Basin Trail is 2.6-mile easy hiking loop. It covers ground through open prairie, hardwood forest, and through a pine plantation. This easy loop trail is family friendly and is accessed from the Steinke Basin parking lot on County Road DL. Steinke Basin is a multi-use trail that is popular year-round with hikers, mountain bikers, and cross-country skiers.
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If you've driven between the North and South Shore entrances to Devil's Lake you'll likely have noticed the postcard-perfect prairie Steinke Basin. This serene walk is perfect for families with varied levels of fitness. The loop trail brings walkers through a mix of shaded woodlands and open prairies on a wide two-track trailbed.
The Steinke Basin Loop also shares a portion of its trail with the Johnson Moraine trail and meets the Upland Trail. It crosses an access road which can be walked on to link up with the East Bluff Woods and East Bluff Trails. The access road is perhaps the best way to access the panoramic views from the top of the South Bluff if you aren't up for the mountaineering-rated climbs from the South Shore.
Steinke Basin shines in all seasons. It is particularly beautiful in autumn and sublime in winter. It should be your first choice when looking for cross-country skiing at Devil's Lake. The easy loop is enjoyed year-round by mountain bikers, hikers, trail runners, and skiers.
Devil's Lake State Park - Steinke Basin Trail
COUNTY: Sauk
COMMUNITIES: Baraboo, Merrimac
TOTAL MILES: 2.6-Mile Loop
DIFFICULTY: Difficult
POINTS OF INTEREST: Steinke Basin
CAMPING: Devil's Lake State Park Camping
Directions and Trail Map
Click Map Image to load the full interactive map.
Address for your GPS: 12403 CR-DL, Greenfield, WI 53561
| coordinates: 43.430797, -89.710126 |
| 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
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
Roznos Meadow 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