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Wisconsin Dells and Baraboo
Sandstone cliffs carved by the Wisconsin River, boat tours into narrow gorges, the quartzite bluffs of Devil's Lake, a circus museum and a crane centre, plus the 'Waterpark Capital of the World'.
Photo: Devil's Lake State Park, CrispAir at en.wikipedia, CC BY 3.0
The Wisconsin River cuts through soft sandstone at the Dells, leaving cliffs, pillars and narrow side canyons. Photographer H.H. Bennett made them famous in the 1800s.
Baraboo, 15 minutes south, was the winter home of the Ringling Brothers circus. Nearby Devil's Lake State Park has a lake ringed by tall quartzite bluffs. Be adventurous and climb one.
Outdoors and nature
Trails, lookouts, waterfalls, beaches and time on the water come first.
Cheap
Devil's Lake State Park
A lake ringed by quartzite bluffs, with steep rock trails.
Cheap
Mirror Lake State Park
A quiet, sheltered lake for paddling, with sandstone shores.
Sights and attractions
Museums, landmarks and the places people come here for.
Paid
Circus World
The Ringling Brothers' winter quarters, with circus wagons and summer shows.
Paid
International Crane Foundation
All 15 crane species, near Baraboo.
Paid
H.H. Bennett Studio
The photographer's 1875 studio, now a museum.
Paid
Noah's Ark Waterpark
A huge outdoor water park.
Season Seasonal, check official site.
Markets, shops and festivals
Main streets, markets and the dates worth planning around.
Book a tour or activity
Cruises, tours and experiences people book here. Each one goes to the operator's official page, and you can still add it to your trip.
Upper Dells boat tour
River boat tours with stops at Witches Gulch and Stand Rock.
Season Runs roughly April–Oct (check before you go).
Original Wisconsin Ducks
Amphibious 'Duck' tours on land and the river.
Season Runs roughly mid-March–mid-Nov (check before you go).
Part of our Southern Wisconsin guides.
Make it a weekend
Why stay the night
- A boat tour and a state park fill a full day.
- Water parks need a day of their own.
- Sunsets from the Devil's Lake bluffs.
Nearby and worth the drive
Door Countyabout 3 h 30 · Guide ↗
Lighthouses and cherries.
Madisonabout 60 min · Guide ↗Wisconsin's capital, between two lakes.
Ready-made trips with Wisconsin Dells and Baraboo
Good to know
- Tourism: wisdells.com.
- State parks: Wisconsin state parks need a vehicle admission sticker: dnr.wisconsin.gov.
- We list only places we can check against an official source. Hours, seasons and prices change, so confirm before you go.
Photos on this page
Photo: Devil's Lake State Park, CrispAir at en.wikipedia, CC BY 3.0
Photo: Mirror Lake State Park, I, the copyright holder of this work, hereby publish it under the following lice, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: The gorge at Parfrey's Glen, Wackybadger, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: The sandstone gorge at Pewit's Nest, Andrewhaimerl, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Witches Gulch, Jay Anthony from United States Of America, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Circus World, Baraboo, Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0