Balanced Rock Hiking Trail
Devil's Lake State Park
A Steep Stone Stairway Overlooking the Lake and South Shore Picnic Area
At A Glance
Type: Out-and-Back
Difficulty: Strenuous
Distance: 0.4 Miles
Required Time: 15 - 45 Minutes
Trail Description
A lakeshore-to-clifftop stairway, the Balanced Rock trail cuts a steep, uneven, blocky path ascending the quartzite talus slope from the South Shore Picnic area to the top of the East Bluff.
During any summer weekend, hikers will likely encounter climbers at the Balanced Rock Wall, about 1/2-way up the trail. 100 yards further up the trail, easy-to-miss signs point out Balanced Rock, the iconic trail namesake, perched precariously on the cliff edge. Great seats, lovely views and cliff-edge promontories surround the balcony in this area.
Balanced Rock Trail is a great for scenic views, featuring grand landscapes of Devils Lake, the South Bluff, and the South Shore beach area as the trail winds up the talus and in and out of mature pine trees.
During busy summer weekends, midday hikers may find Balanced Rock Trail crowded, with "tail-to-nose" conditions as slower hikers create bottlenecks on the narrow trail. Get out there early to ensure a more enjoyable hike!
