Wisconsin Dells in Winter: What's Open and What to Do
Winter in the Dells is a different trip from summer, and in some ways a better one. The indoor waterparks are open, crowds thin out midweek, the holiday lights go up downtown, and there's skiing 20 minutes away. You just have to know what's closed so you don't plan around it.
What's open and what's closed
| Open in winter | Closed for the season |
|---|---|
| Indoor waterparks at Kalahari, Wilderness, Great Wolf and Chula Vista | Dells Boat Tours (April to October) |
| Tom Foolery's Adventure Park at Kalahari | Original Wisconsin Ducks (mid-March to mid-November) |
| Wizard Quest and the arcades on Broadway | Lost Canyon (March to November) |
| Aquavia Lumina night walk at Wilderness | Noah's Ark and the outdoor waterparks |
| Tree of Light on the River Walk (late November to mid-January) | Land of Natura (reopens May 2027) |
| Christmas Mountain and Cascade Mountain ski areas | Circus World in Baraboo (reopens February 25, 2027) |
| State parks for snowshoeing, skiing and ice fishing | Most outdoor mini golf |
Indoor waterparks
The indoor parks are the main reason to come in winter, and this is a big year for them:
- Kalahari's Aquadome opened October 10, 2026: 75,000 square feet under a retractable glass roof, with three new slides including the Zambezi Rapids raft ride and the Viper Venom water coaster, a kids' area, a big zero-depth pool and an adults-only swim-up bar. Read our Kalahari review.
- Wilderness Resort's Wild WaterDome reopened in October 2026 after a renovation that added a see-through roof and a new raft slide.
- Great Wolf Lodge stays at about 84 degrees and is easier with little kids.
- Chula Vista's Lost Rios park is open year-round, for resort guests only.
Day passes are limited and the parks get busy on winter weekends, holidays and spring break. Book online as early as you can, or go midweek.
Holiday lights and events
The Tree of Light is the Dells' big holiday tradition: a 55-foot silver maple on the River Walk wrapped in about 65,000 lights, plus around 80 decorated trees. In 2026 it lights up on Friday, November 20 and runs nightly from 4:30 to 11 pm through mid-January 2027. It's free, and downtown parking is free in winter.
The resorts run their own holiday events too, like Great Wolf's Snowland and Santa visits at Wilderness. Dates are posted closer to the season, so check the resort sites.
Aquavia Lumina at Wilderness runs nightly year-round, a one-mile walk through a canyon with light projections and music. In winter it's cold and the trail is gravel with some steep spots, so dress warmly and wear boots. Tickets start at $24.99, and kids 2 and under are free. Read our Aquavia Lumina review.
Indoor fun beyond the waterparks
- Tom Foolery's Adventure Park at Kalahari: go-karts, laser tag, a ropes course and zipline, all indoors. Read our Tom Foolery's guide.
- Wizard Quest on Broadway, open daily year-round.
- Wild Fun Zone on Broadway: bumper cars, laser tag and indoor mini golf.
- Asgard Axe & Tap downtown for axe throwing (ages 10 and up), pizza and a taproom.
Skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling
- Christmas Mountain Village, about 20 minutes from my homes, is a small, beginner-friendly hill with 7 trails, 3 lifts and snow tubing. The season usually runs December to mid-March, weather permitting.
- Cascade Mountain near Portage is bigger, with 47 trails, terrain parks and Tube Town.
- Mirror Lake State Park grooms trails for classic and skate cross-country skiing, with snowshoeing on the other trails. A state trail pass is needed for skiers 16 and up.
- Devil's Lake State Park lends snowshoes for free from the nature center, and the lake is popular for ice fishing.
- Snowmobiling: Sauk, Adams and Juneau counties have hundreds of miles of groomed trails. You'll need a Wisconsin snowmobile registration and a trail pass.
State parks need a vehicle pass in winter too: $13 a day for Wisconsin plates and $16 for out-of-state plates.
What to expect from the weather
January is the coldest month, with an average high of 26°F and a low of 8°F. December and February average highs are in the low 30s. Snow is common but not guaranteed, so call ahead about skiing conditions and pack for cold either way.
Tips for a winter trip
- Go midweek for the best rates and shortest waterpark lines. Holiday weeks, Presidents' Day weekend and spring break are the busy times.
- Book waterpark day passes ahead. They're limited and weekends sell out.
- Pack for both. Swimsuits for the indoor parks, boots and layers for everything else.
- Leave time for the roads. Snow can slow the drive, so don't stack a waterpark day with a long drive home.
Where to stay in winter
A warm house with room to spread out is the winter move. At my Hot Tub + Sauna + Game Room home, the hot tub is on a covered, screened porch, so winter soaks mean cold air and hot water, with an infrared sauna steps away and a game room for the evenings. The Private Arcade Room home is smaller and cozier for families of up to 6. See all our homes.
FAQ
Is Wisconsin Dells open in winter?
Yes. The indoor waterparks, Tom Foolery's, Wizard Quest, the arcades, Aquavia Lumina and the Tree of Light are all open. Boat tours, the Ducks, Lost Canyon and the outdoor waterparks are closed.
When is the Tree of Light in Wisconsin Dells?
In 2026 it lights up on November 20 and runs nightly from 4:30 to 11 pm through mid-January 2027, on the River Walk downtown. It's free.
Are the Wisconsin Dells boat tours open in winter?
No. Dells Boat Tours run April through October.
Is there skiing near Wisconsin Dells?
Yes. Christmas Mountain Village is a small, beginner-friendly hill just outside town, and Cascade Mountain near Portage is a bigger ski area with tubing.
Is Kalahari's new Aquadome open?
Yes. The Aquadome opened on October 10, 2026, adding 75,000 square feet of indoor waterpark under a retractable glass roof.
