Mirror Lake State Park
🪞 Nature’s Reflection Near the Dells — A serene, motor-free lake surrounded by 2,180 acres of sandstone bluffs, 28 miles of hiking trails, a sandy swimming beach, kayak and canoe rentals, and the perfect natural escape just minutes from Wisconsin Dells
Just three miles southwest of the neon lights and waterpark crowds of Wisconsin Dells, a quiet transformation occurs. The tourist strip fades, the road narrows, and you enter a 2,180-acre state park wrapped around a small, serene lake that sits in a sandstone gorge so still on calm days that it perfectly mirrors the towering bluffs and pine forests along its shore. This is Mirror Lake State Park — and its name is not an exaggeration. The entire lake operates under a strict slow-no-wake policy, meaning no powerboats, no jet skis, no wake — just canoes, kayaks, and the occasional quiet fishing boat gliding across water so flat it doubles the sky above.
Mirror Lake itself was formed by a dam on Dell Creek (a tributary of the Wisconsin River), but the sandstone canyon that cradles it is pure geology — carved over millions of years by water working through the same Cambrian sandstone that created the famous Wisconsin Dells rock formations just a few miles north. The layered, honey-colored cliffs rise 50 feet above the water’s edge, their reflections creating the park’s signature visual effect. It is, in many ways, the quiet, natural side of the Dells experience — the place locals go when they want the beauty without the crowds.
Mirror Lake
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Size | 137 acres |
| Maximum Depth | 14 feet |
| Motor Policy | Slow-no-wake ONLY (entire lake) |
| Swimming Beach | 200-foot sandy beach, no lifeguards |
| Boat Rentals | Canoes, kayaks, SUP available at concession (summer) |
| Boat Launch | Available — electric motors only |
| Fishing | Panfish, bass, musky |
Hiking Trails
The park offers 28.4 miles of hiking trails through a mix of sandstone bluff forest, pine plantations, wetlands, and lake shoreline. In winter, 17.4 miles are groomed for cross-country skiing and 1.2 miles for snowshoeing.
| Trail | Distance | Difficulty | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Echo Rock Trail | 1.5 mi | Easy-Moderate | Sandstone bluffs, lake overlooks |
| Hastings Trail | 2.5 mi | Moderate | Pine forest, rolling terrain |
| Fern Dell Trail | 3.0 mi | Moderate | Fern-filled ravine, creek crossing |
| Northwest Loop | 5.0 mi | Moderate | Remote area, wildlife, solitude |
| Time Warp Trail | 2.0 mi | Easy | Pine plantations, beginner-friendly |
Camping
| Campground | Sites | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Bluewater Bay | ~50 | Wooded, near lake, electric available |
| Cliffwood | ~60 | Larger sites, shaded, RV-friendly |
| Sandstone Ridge | ~40 | More remote, tent-oriented |
Reservation Tips: Summer weekends fill weeks in advance. Reserve through the Wisconsin DNR reservation system as early as possible. Sites close to the lake (Bluewater Bay) are the most popular and first to book.
Essential Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | E10320 Fern Dell Rd, Baraboo, WI 53913 |
| Hours | 6 AM – 11 PM, year-round |
| Entrance Fee | WI vehicle admission sticker required ($8 daily / $28 annual resident) |
| Camping | $20-$35/night + reservation fee |
| Pets | Allowed on leash (not on beach) |
| Phone | (608) 254-2333 |
Getting There
- From Wisconsin Dells: 3 miles southwest (~5 minutes via Fern Dell Road)
- From Madison: 50 miles north (~55 minutes via I-90/94)
- From Milwaukee: 120 miles northwest (~2 hours via I-94)
- From Chicago: 195 miles north (~3.5 hours via I-90)
Best Time to Visit
| Season | Highlights | Crowd Level |
|---|---|---|
| Spring (Apr-May) | Wildflowers, migrant birds, quiet lake | Low |
| Summer (Jun-Aug) | Swimming, kayaking, camping, rentals | High |
| Fall (Sep-Oct) | Peak foliage reflecting on lake — iconic photos | Moderate |
| Winter (Dec-Mar) | Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, ice fishing | Low |
Nearby Attractions
- Wisconsin Dells: 3 miles — waterparks, boat tours, downtown attractions
- Devil’s Lake State Park: 15 miles south — 500-foot bluffs, premier hiking
- Natural Bridge State Park: 20 miles south — natural rock arch, Raddatz rockshelter
- International Crane Foundation: 10 miles south (Baraboo) — crane conservation, gardens
- Circus World Museum: 12 miles south (Baraboo) — historic Ringling Brothers site
Are motorboats allowed on Mirror Lake?
Only electric motors. Mirror Lake operates under a strict slow-no-wake policy across the entire lake. Gas-powered motorboats, jet skis, and any wake-producing watercraft are not permitted. This is what makes the lake so peaceful — canoes, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and small electric-motor boats are the only watercraft allowed, which preserves the mirror-like surface conditions that give the park its name.
How far is Mirror Lake State Park from Wisconsin Dells?
Just 3 miles (about 5 minutes by car). Mirror Lake State Park is located just southwest of Wisconsin Dells, making it the perfect natural escape from the Dells’ tourist attractions. Many visitors use the park’s campground as a base camp for exploring both the natural beauty and the entertainment options of the Dells area.
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