Devil's Lake State Park
Picnicking and Shelters

• South Shore Shelters
• North Shore Shelters
• Off Season Shelter Use
• General Rules
• Reservation Rules

There are three major picnic areas, two on the North Shore and one at the South Shore of Devil's Lake. Each picnic area has tables, water, and grills. Two enclosed shelters and three open air shelters are available for rental. Reservations are accepted at the park up to 11 months in advance of the reservation date requested.

Weddings at Devil's Lake

A quiet picnic overlooking the lake.
DNR Photo by Princely Nesadurai

South Shore Shelters

Map of South Shore shelters [PDF 104KB]

Red Oak Shelter

This shelter is on the lakefront, adjacent to the South Shore Concession.

• Electric lights and four outlets on the east wall.
• Large grill outside the shelter between shelter and concession.
• Public restrooms and showers adjacent to shelter.
• Fireplace and furnace; provide your own wood.
• 25 tables inside the building. Tables and chairs may not be taken out of the shelter building or brought in from the picnic area.

White Pine/Telephone Pioneers Association (TPA) Shelter

This shelter is just south of the South Shore Contact Station near the playground area.

• Electric lights in open shelter area and electric outlets in kitchen/food service area.
• 5' x 2' grill on pedestals at the south end of the shelter.
• Public restrooms to the back of the building with separate doorway to accessible facilities, no showers.
• At the center of the east-side of the shelter, there is an indoor kitchen/food service area with a window and counter that opens to the shelter for food distribution. Inside this area a counter with a double kitchen sink extends 3/4 of the length of the wall, with the deep sink in the right corner of the room. There is no refrigerator or stove in the kitchen area.
• One four-plug outlet and one two-plug outlet above the sink counter.

Shagbark Shelter

This shelter is at the South Shore picnic area near the basketball court and playground area. It's very similar to the White Pine/TPA shelter.

• Electric lights in open shelter area and electric outlets in kitchen/food area.
• Public restrooms are to the back of the building, no showers.
• Large grill.

White Oak Shelter

This shelter is at the South Shore picnic area near the parking lot farthest to the west near the lakefront and the south shore boardwalk.

• Electric lights and outlets in open shelter area.
• Public restrooms are to the back of the building, no showers.
• Large grill.

Tamarack Shelter

On the lakefront near the east bluff.

• Electric lights but no outlets.
• 3'x2' grill on a pedestal.
• Accessible for people with disabilities.
• Accessible public restrooms, no showers. Proceed to the parking lot furthest to the right and shelter is toward the Balanced Rock trail just before the bird mound.

White Birch Shelter

• No outlets or electric lights.
• 3'x2' grill on a pedestal.
• No restrooms at shelter but within walking distance.
• Accessible for people with disabilities.
• Sand volleyball court 50 feet from the shelter.

North Shore Shelters

Map of North Shore shelters [PDF 90KB]

Rock Elm/CCC Shelter

This shelter is on the North Shore just east of the Chateau building, on the lakefront.

• Electric lights and outlets.
• Public restrooms and showers adjacent to the shelter.
• Wood stove; provide your own wood.
• The shelter has 10 tables inside. Tables and chairs may not be taken out of the shelter building or brought in from the picnic area.

Sugar Maple Shelter

This shelter is on the north shore west beach near the Tumbled Rocks Trail.

• No outlets or electric lights.
• Accessible public restrooms, no showers.
• A 3'x2' grill on a pedestal outside of each of two separate overhangs.

General Rules

Shelter hours are limited to 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. The person making the reservation is responsible for general cleanup and care of the facility and ensuring compliance with all applicable laws and rules. The responsible person is liable for any damage done to the shelter during the reserved date.

• Any decorations should be temporary and completely removable. Staples, pins, tacks, paper and tape must all be removed after use.
• All visitors must carry out their garbage and recyclables. Please bring adequate bags/containers to enable you to take your garbage and recyclables with you.
• Candles and open flames are not allowed in any of the shelter buildings except in the designated fireplaces.
• No tents may be set up outside shelter without prior approval from park superintendent.
• No bands or amplified music are allowed without prior approval by park superintendent.
• Pets are prohibited in and around all shelters.

Electrical use at applicable shelters is limited, as outlets are easily overloaded with multiple uses.

Off Season Shelter Use

Enclosed shelters are not rented from November 1 through April 1. Other shelters are available year-round, but restrooms may be closed and water supply may be turned off anytime from October through April. Parking areas may not be plowed in the winter season. Red Oak Shelter has a furnace, and Rock Elm Shelter has a woodstove for use on cool days in the spring and fall.

Reservation Rules

Wisconsin state park shelter reservation rules

Payment is due in full at time of rental request. The reservation request must include the date the facility is desired, location of facility, name of group, anticipated time of arrival and departure and anticipated number in the group.

A shelter key must be picked up from the North Shore Visitor Center to unlock the shelter buildings. The shelter must be locked when done with shelter use. The shelter key must be returned to the nearest visitor center or dropped into the “mail slot” at the Red Oak, Shagbark, or White Pine shelters at the end of use.

Vehicle admission stickers are required on all motorized vehicles and may be purchased at a group rate. The group rate is $5 per vehicle with a minimum charge per group of $100 (20 stickers). These stickers are valid for vehicles with either Wisconsin or non-Wisconsin license plates. The group must request reduced rate stickers by telephone or in person at least seven days and not more than one year before the event.

Stickers must be paid for and picked up in person at the property. If purchasing discounted daily stickers for guests, make sure to tell the guests not to buy a pass when entering the park. The person requesting discounted stickers is responsible for sticker distribution; the park will not hand out pre-paid stickers at the office as guests arrive. Discounted daily stickers are not refundable. Availability of parking is not guaranteed for shelter users.

For campsite availability, call (888) WI PARKS ((888) 947-2757) or check the Web. For other information, ask Devil's Lake State Park, (608) 356-8301.