Home › Wisconsin › Baraboo › East Bluff Trailhead
East Bluff Trailhead
4.9 ★★★★★ 54 Google reviews · Running trail in Baraboo, Wisconsin · Hours vary
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Paved
- Loop distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Not reported
Confirmed from East Bluff Trailhead's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Hiking area featuring trails with views of a lake, some that are kid-friendly.
What runners say about East Bluff Trailhead
“Good trail with some nice scenic views, as well as some interesting sections of rock formations.”
“Well-marked and easy to follow.”
I recommend parking in the North parking lot, hiking this trail, see the Devil’s Doorway, see the Balanced Rock, go around the lake, and then go home. This trail is a great one. It’s not to hard and is not that long as it looks on the map.
Hiking the East Bluff trail from the North trail head was so much better than coming up the trail from the South trail which requires you to climb up the rock steps lake side which is more difficult and we heard more complaints from worn out hikers.
This trail was awesome. My kids spotted a lot of opportunities for random climbing and took advantage! You are so high that if you just sit and wait you are literally at the same height as some of the raptors. It was amazing watching them chase each other.
Beautiful trail especially with fall colors. We took our dog and he did fine although needed to wait for others coming down in the narrow spots. We did the overlook trail climbing the rocks and came back through the glorious wooded fall color. Trees water and rocks. Hard to beat!
Trail conditions & character
“Whichever trail you take, the views from Devil's doorway, hanging rock and balanced rock were outstanding.”
“It was a difficult trail very challenging with steep inclines.”
“I recommend parking in the North parking lot, hiking this trail, see the Devil’s Doorway, see the Balanced Rock, go around the lake, and then go home.”
“It’s a great place for kids although if you want to bring a dog here he or she has to be experienced and good on a leash.”
“If you want to see the beauty with less effort I suggest taking the loop to the left and circling back and going down the lake side coming back.”
“There is a lot of old broken asphalt making up a lot of this trail, which negatively affected the hike for me.”
Plan your run at East Bluff Trailhead
The practical stuff
- AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
- SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websitedevilslakewisconsin.com
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Running trails near Baraboo
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
East Bluff State Natural Area
4.8 ★★★★★ 97 reviews
Geological park offering boating, swimming, fishing and camping plus hiking trails along bluffs and cliffs.
South Bluff / Devil's Nose State Natural Area
4.8 ★★★★★ 44 reviews
Nature preserve offering a trail and climbing opportunities.
Riverwalk Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 47 reviews
Park with picnic tables and benches offering scenic views, good for kids.
Baraboo's Riverwalk
4.8 ★★★★★ 37 reviews
Shaded area for strolling and bike riding with views of the river.