mirror lake state park

Although I live closer to Devil's Lake, I prefer kayaking at Mirror Lake because it is more diverse. Putting in at the main boat launch, you can go left, which will take you buy the swimming beach. If you go right, you will go past Ishnala Supper Club where they sometimes have singers out on the deck, then you will go under the interstate, and eventually, you will reach the dam, where you have to turn around. But my favorite route is to go straight ahead. This will take you through a narrow area with beautiful cliffs on either side. In the spring, look for the Lady Slipper orchids in bloom. At the end of the cliffs, on your right, you can see Frank Lloyd Wright's Seth Peterson Cottage. Then the lake will widen. If you need a break, there is another boat lunch with a port-a-potty on your right. I often take out there and eat my lunch on the dock. Continuing on across the lake, you will reach a wetland area. In the spring, you are likely to see Sandhill Cranes nesting (don't get so close that you disturb them).I also prefer Mirror Lake for camping because it is not as busy and crowded as Devil's Lake and I think the campsites are on the whole prettier and more shaded (though there are some pretty, shaded campsites at Devil's Lake, too, but some at Devil's Lake are in wide open grassy areas).The one thing that I don't like as much at Mirror Lake are the hiking trails. Because the terrain is much flatter, the hiking is not nearly as beautiful and dramatic as it is at Devil's Lake. I mainly hike at Mirror Lake in the winter.

I was recently in the WI Dells area and needed to burn about an hour before I could check in to my hotel. I had always wanted to visit Mirror Lake State Park, so I decided to go here for a little bit. I arrived at about 2:00 in the afternoon. I decided on just buying an hour pass for $5 to save some money since I did not plan on spending a ton of time here. The park did not seem busy at all with it being a winter day. A lot of the trails turn into cross-country skiing only trails in the winter with the snow cover, but there were still some trails that you could hike on. I hiked on a short path near the lake. It was an easy hike, and I enjoyed the scenery. The lake was frozen over, so there was not a whole lot to see, but it is always quiet and peaceful spending time in the great outdoors! The sun was shining and the wind was light, so it was a comfortable winter day to be outside. I only encountered a few other people on this visit, so it was very quiet. I did not regret spending some time here, and would enjoy returning in the summer to see what more they have to offer. The hour went by very quickly! I would recommend.

Peaceful, quiet state park. Small long lake. wonderful hiking or winter X-Ctry skiing, snowshoeing, etc. Look for torchlight events.

First let me start by saying that I have never camped there - so if you are looking for a campsite review this is not one. This review is for the use of their new amphitheater.The amphitheater and the area around it is beautiful, it was my first choice for my wedding ceremony.I was in contact with the state park for several months getting the needed information about using the amphitheater and making sure it was still available. Every time I would ask the answer was always yes. They told me that I could not make the reservation until 11 months prior to the event (11months to the day not just months). My dad made sure that the deposit was in on time, and before sending in the contract and payment he made sure the date was available (just in case someone snuck in and got their stuff in first). He was assured that the date was till available and that everything was good and I should be receiving a confirmation email that they received the payment. Almost 3 weeks past and I still had not received that email, so I emailed them and 4-5 days after I sent that email they responded saying sorry but there where a few other couples intrested in that date as well and that they DID A DRAWING (yes, you read right a drawing - like a raffle) to see who got the date and I had lost! I immediately called my Dad and Step-Mom and told them what had happened. My step mom called and was told that the manager would call her back, which she never did, my step mom had to call her back. The manager went on to tell her that it is their policy that they just take all the names of interested parties for that date and do a drawing to decide who gets it (very unprofessional!) and that it was the couple who won's second spot so we had to wait to see what they decided. Meanwhile I have EVERYTYHING ELSE planned: officiant, reception venue, caterer, dj etc... planned for that date.They said that I should just push mine back, which clearly is not an option.I was NOT TOLD of the "policy"" in the beginning and was lead to believe that when I got my deposit in that that meant that we had reserved the amphitheater. I understand that double bookings happen, however, they are settled in a much more professional manner, such as who got their deposit in first. Be cautious if you are planning to use their amphitheater - for ANY event and make sure you ask about this "policy" of theirs because I do not want anyone in the same situation that I am experiencing right now.

This is generall a highly rated hiking area, but I found that it is a ok hike but with little that is unique.

We camped here in early October. The trees were gorgeous and the park was pretty.The sites are great for tent camping. The picnic tables are in good repair; the fire pits are new-ish; every site has a lantern hanger; and the tent pads are all sand. Each site is reasonably far away from other sites. In short, they have some great sites there.The shower house was clean and the hot and cold running water were great.There are multiple playgrounds for the kids and the lake is pretty.My big complaint is that you can't stop hearing the interstate highway that is just a mile or so away. At night it's all you hear. You can hear it every time a trucker hits the rumble strips with his rig. The constant highway din is a huge minus if you're trying to get away from it all.Also, avoid the firewood sold by the park. Our bundles included plenty of wood that wasn't seasoned properly making for plenty of smoky, hissing fires.If you don't mind the highway noise, the park has great facilities and is close to the Dells and to Devil's Lake for all your shopping and recreational needs. Just make sure to buy your firewood outside the park boundaries and bring ear plugs to block out the highway noise.

The mirror lake state park is nice for a day visit or night time walk but camp sites are to small. The park does offer activities & events for families & kids. There is a beach and plenty of open spots to have a picnic.

We didn't stay here, so I can't comment on the tent sites. We came just to do some hiking. They only had one hike, called something Rock, that they recommended that was scenic. It was descent, but very short. Then, we tried to go on another one that we thought would go along the actual lake the most, and I wouldn't call it a path. It was cut down field along the road that was awful to walk on, and it got only a quick view of the lake, which was anything but a mirror, more like a swamp. The staff was very nice though, and I'm sure camping there would be fun. The river part off the lake, that is actually what surrounds the campsites, looks nicer and clearer.

We loved the difficult trails first view of the lake. That was the only thing we liked sadly. The view in the beginning before the bridge was all we could get for pictures without going into the woods. I wouldn't visit again unless with family for a hike.

From our research, thought this would have a simple bike trail 3 miles long. Turned out not to be paved so half our bikes that we lugged 3 hours couldn't even go on the sandy terrain, and the kids didn't enjoy the bike ride with all the tough sand to get over. The picnic area and playground we were at didn't have anything to look at that was any better than a regular park. Family kayaking was okay but nothing spectacular. Later went to Devil's Lake - a MUCH better, prettier, nicer state park by far!!!

We enjoyed the Mirror Lake State park very much. Great place to do a lot of walking. The trail system is of decent quality, the parking is easy. We also enjoyed kayaking. Our additional excitement was caused by the fact that the Seth Peterson Cottage by Frank Lloyd Wright is here - probably one of his very latest pieces of work. We took a lot of beautiful animal, mostly bird pictures in the park.

Mountain biked on Hastings Trail with teenage daughter. New experience! Beautiful woods with little inclines to make it an adventure! Hiked around the park on trails with family. Spent wonderful late afternoon kayaking on Mirror Lake. Fantastic scenery from the lake including seeing a guy jumping from a cliff. Very nice to have a relaxing but physical day outdoors where all ages could enjoy the offerings of the state park. Definitely worth a visit. We did not camp just did day pass.

A pretty little lake, quiet. No actual lakefront/water view camp sites. The lots are small -- not much privacy. Not much to do except kayak or canoe. Not much hiking. Decent maintenance. A good place to crash for one night and then move on.

Lovely little lake just 10 min. from heart of the Dells' attractions/lodging. We wanted a non-motorized spot to canoe and kayak without being creamed by boat wakes. It's actually bigger than it appears when you traverse down the various "fingers" of the lake -- and earns it's well-deserved name as the water is so still it's like looking in a mirror at the many rock cliff formations. For a truly decadent twist, we beached at Ishnala Supper Club (beautiful old restaurant up on a small cliff) and enjoyed great views from outdoor patio while sipping bar drinks and noshing on escargot and duck appetizers before a leisurely paddle back to the pier. Easy to rent water craft at the small pier. Nice little sandy beach to get out and swim (shared with the camp ground).

Beautiful to go kayaking on for a about 1.5 hours roundtrip down towards the dam part! Ishnala is right on the river too!