Outdoors in Wisconsin Dells

The protected five-mile sandstone gorge of the Upper Dells, with a west-side overlook of the river and the Palisades cliffs.

Ages:

All ages

Allow:

30 to 60 minutes

Cost:

Parking fee reported by recent visitors; check signs at the lot

Best for:

A picnic with a river view

Know before you go:

Recent visitors report a posted parking fee at the lot.

• Easy
• Kid-friendly
• Year-round

We've been

Devil's Lake State Park

Baraboo and Devil's Lake · $ · Year-round

Wisconsin's largest and busiest state park, with a 360-acre lake ringed by 500-foot quartzite bluffs and nearly 30 miles of trails.

Ages:

All ages; bluff trails suit kids who are steady on rocks

Allow:

Half day to full day

Cost:

State park vehicle pass: $13 a day with Wisconsin plates or $16 out of state in 2026, or an annual pass

Dogs:

Leashed dogs allowed on most trails; not on the swimming beaches or in picnic areas; a designated pet swim area is on the south end

Best for:

Bluff hikes, beach days and picnics

Know before you go:

Arrive early on summer weekends. The East Bluff and Balanced Rock trails climb steep rock steps, so wear real shoes.

From public reviews: Reviewers often mention that the bluff trails are steep, rocky stair climbs that are harder than they look, while the shoreline paths are easy.

• Fee or park pass
• Dog-friendly
• Kid-friendly
• Easy
• Moderate
• Hard
• Restrooms
• Swimming
• Boat launch
• Rentals
• Year-round
• Winter

A quiet no-wake lake in a sandstone gorge about 10 minutes from downtown, with connecting trails, a small beach and paddle rentals.

Ages:

All ages

Allow:

2 to 4 hours

Cost:

State park vehicle pass: $13 a day with Wisconsin plates or $16 out of state in 2026, or an annual pass

Dogs:

Leashed dogs allowed on most trails; not on the swimming beaches or in picnic areas

Best for:

Calm paddling and easy wooded walks

Know before you go:

Snap a photo of the trail map at the start. Many trails connect, so a short walk can turn into a long one.

• Fee or park pass
• Dog-friendly
• Kid-friendly
• Easy
• Moderate
• Restrooms
• Swimming
• Boat launch
• Rentals
• Wheelchair accessible
• Year-round
• Winter

A day-use park built around a sandstone arch about 25 feet high, beside a rock shelter used by people some 11,000 years ago.

Ages:

School-age kids and up

Allow:

About 1 hour

Cost:

State park vehicle pass: $13 a day with Wisconsin plates or $16 out of state in 2026, or an annual pass

Dogs:

Listed as pet friendly; keep dogs leashed

Best for:

A quick, quiet geology stop

Know before you go:

Stay off the top of the arch. The walk up is short but climbs the whole way.

From public reviews: Reviewers often mention overgrown trails and weak signage, along with having the place nearly to themselves.

• Fee or park pass
• Dog-friendly
• Moderate
• Year-round

Wisconsin's first State Natural Area: a cool, mossy gorge with a stream-side trail that ends at a small waterfall.

Ages:

Kids 6 and up who are steady on rocks

Allow:

1 to 2 hours

Cost:

State park vehicle pass: $13 a day with Wisconsin plates or $16 out of state in 2026, or an annual pass

Best for:

Hikers who don't mind wet feet

Know before you go:

Past the end of the built trail you must stay within 20 feet of the creek bed and not go beyond the base of the falls.

From public reviews: Reviewers often mention rock-hopping across the stream and slippery, muddy footing, so waterproof shoes and a walking stick help.

• Fee or park pass
• Moderate
• Restrooms
• Year-round

A narrow 30- to 40-foot gorge where Skillet Creek cascades over sandstone, reached by a short walk from a roadside lot.

Ages:

All ages with close supervision near edges

Allow:

30 to 60 minutes

Cost:

No admission fee

Dogs:

Leashed dogs allowed

Best for:

A quick waterfall stop on the way to Devil's Lake

Know before you go:

There are no restrooms. Climbing or jumping from the rocks carries a fine.

From public reviews: Reviewers often mention that the walk is short with one steep stretch, and that there are no restrooms.

• Free
• Dog-friendly
• Easy
• Year-round

A small park five minutes from downtown with a one-mile self-guided loop between sandstone bluffs and a marshy old river channel.

Ages:

All ages

Allow:

About 1 hour

Cost:

State park vehicle pass: $13 a day with Wisconsin plates or $16 out of state in 2026, or an annual pass

Dogs:

Leashed dogs allowed on most trails; not on the swimming beaches or in picnic areas

Best for:

A short nature walk close to town

Know before you go:

Bring bug spray in summer and watch for roots on the trail.

From public reviews: Reviewers often mention lots of tree roots on the trail and, at times, closed stairs or sections of the loop.

• Fee or park pass
• Dog-friendly
• Kid-friendly
• Easy
• Restrooms
• Year-round

We've been

Witches Gulch

North of downtown · $$ · Seasonal, with the Upper Dells boat tour season

A narrow, mossy sandstone canyon with a boardwalk, reachable only as a stop on the Upper Dells boat tour.

Ages:

All ages

Allow:

About 2 hours for the full boat tour

Cost:

Included with an Upper Dells boat tour ticket

Best for:

Seeing the Dells' most famous side canyon

Know before you go:

There is no road or trail access. You visit it on a Dells Boat Tours Upper Dells trip, with limited time ashore.

From public reviews: Reviewers often mention that time at the gulch is short, about 20 minutes, and that restrooms and concessions sit at the end of the boardwalk.

• Kid-friendly
• Easy
• Restrooms
• Seasonal

A gravel rail-trail starting at Reedsburg's old depot, part of a connected network of about 101 miles of bike trails.

Ages:

All ages

Allow:

1 hour to a full day

Cost:

A Wisconsin state trail pass is required for adult bikers

Best for:

Easy, flat bike rides

Know before you go:

Stop in at the depot in Reedsburg for maps and trail passes before you ride.

From public reviews: Reviewers often mention friendly, helpful staff at the depot who sell passes and hand out maps.

• Fee or park pass
• Easy
• Kid-friendly
• Year-round

A paved, mostly shaded path that follows the Baraboo River through downtown Baraboo and nearby neighborhoods and parks.

Ages:

All ages

Allow:

30 minutes to 2 hours

Cost:

Free

Dogs:

Leashed dogs allowed; bags and bins along the path

Best for:

Walking, biking and strollers

Know before you go:

Ochsner Park, next to the zoo, is an easy starting point with restrooms at the pavilion.

From public reviews: Reviewers often mention the wide paved surface, shade and benches, and that it suits walkers, bikes and strollers.

• Free
• Easy
• Kid-friendly
• Dog-friendly
• Wheelchair accessible
• Year-round

A wooded loop of about two miles in the Dells of the Wisconsin River natural area, leading to a small sandy beach below river cliffs.

Ages:

All ages; the beach scramble needs care

Allow:

1 to 1.5 hours

Cost:

A posted parking fee is reported by recent visitors (pay by scanning a code at the lot)

Dogs:

Leashed dogs allowed

Best for:

An easy hike with a riverside payoff

Know before you go:

The lot holds only about ten cars, and there are no restrooms or trash cans.

From public reviews: Reviewers often mention tree roots underfoot and a short, steep scramble down to the beach.

• Easy
• Kid-friendly
• Dog-friendly
• Year-round

A longer stretch of the national scenic trail through prairie, oak savanna and woods east of Devil's Lake, with some road-walk links.

Ages:

Teens and adults

Allow:

2 to 4 hours

Cost:

Free where it runs outside the state park; a state park pass is needed to park inside Devil's Lake

Dogs:

Leashed dogs allowed

Best for:

Hikers wanting a quieter, longer outing

Know before you go:

Wear waterproof shoes after rain, and expect open, unshaded prairie sections.

From public reviews: Reviewers often mention a mix of scenery, plus some road walks and odd paved sections they could do without.

• Moderate
• Dog-friendly
• Year-round

A flat, mostly paved path along the west shore of Devil's Lake past huge boulders, easy enough for strollers.

Ages:

All ages

Allow:

About 1 hour

Cost:

State park vehicle pass: $13 a day with Wisconsin plates or $16 out of state in 2026, or an annual pass

Dogs:

Leashed dogs allowed

Best for:

Families and an easy lakeside walk

Know before you go:

Start from the North Shore lot. The pavement is broken in spots, so watch little feet.

From public reviews: Reviewers often mention that it is flat, stroller-friendly and good for kids, with a few bumpy, broken spots.

• Fee or park pass
• Dog-friendly
• Kid-friendly
• Easy
• Year-round

We've been

Wisconsin Dells Riverwalk

Downtown · Free · Year-round

A short paved path along the Wisconsin River beside downtown, with benches, game tables, historic photos and markers.

Ages:

All ages

Allow:

15 to 30 minutes

Cost:

Free

Dogs:

Leashed dogs welcome

Best for:

A stroll between downtown shops and lunch

Know before you go:

It starts next to Ripley's on Broadway and connects to Veterans Park.

From public reviews: Reviewers often mention that it is level, paved and shaded, with good river views near sunset.

• Free
• Easy
• Kid-friendly
• Dog-friendly
• Wheelchair accessible
• Year-round

Two large sandy beaches on a clear glacial lake, each with a bathhouse, concessions, grills, picnic areas and a playground.

Ages:

All ages

Allow:

Half day

Cost:

State park vehicle pass: $13 a day with Wisconsin plates or $16 out of state in 2026, or an annual pass

Dogs:

Not on swimming beaches; designated pet swim area on the south end

Best for:

Family beach days under the bluffs

Know before you go:

Lots fill early on hot weekends. Dogs are not allowed on the swimming beaches; use the pet swim area instead.

From public reviews: Reviewers often mention the clean sand and shallow water that stays wadeable well out from shore, and crowds on summer weekends.

• Fee or park pass
• Kid-friendly
• Restrooms
• Swimming
• Rentals
• Seasonal

A small free beach on Lake Delton with a roped swim area, restrooms and a little play area.

Ages:

Young kids

Allow:

1 to 2 hours

Cost:

Free

Best for:

A quick, free swim for young kids

Know before you go:

Space is limited, and the lake sees heavy boat and jet ski traffic beyond the swim area.

From public reviews: Reviewers often mention that the beach is small and the water can be green with algae.

• Free
• Kid-friendly
• Restrooms
• Swimming
• Seasonal

A small, quiet state park beach with a playground, sand volleyball court, picnic shelter and grills.

Ages:

Young kids

Allow:

1 to 2 hours

Cost:

State park vehicle pass: $13 a day with Wisconsin plates or $16 out of state in 2026, or an annual pass

Dogs:

Not allowed on the swimming beach

Best for:

Wading and a low-key picnic

Know before you go:

The water is murky with a soft bottom, so many people come for the trails and use the beach for wading.

From public reviews: Reviewers often mention algae, low water clarity and a mucky bottom, which make it better for wading than swimming.

• Fee or park pass
• Kid-friendly
• Restrooms
• Swimming
• Seasonal

A small riverside park on the Lower Dells with a sandy beach, covered picnic tables, a play area and a public boat landing.

Ages:

All ages

Allow:

1 to 2 hours

Cost:

Free

Best for:

Picnics and sandcastles by the river

Know before you go:

This is moving river water with a real current, so kids should wear life jackets.

From public reviews: Reviewers often mention watching the Wisconsin Ducks and tour boats pass by, and the geese.

• Free
• Kid-friendly
• Restrooms
• Swimming
• Boat launch
• Year-round

A full-service Lake Delton marina renting pontoons, WaveRunners, ski boats, tubes, paddleboards, kayaks, canoes and paddleboats.

Ages:

All ages as passengers

Allow:

2 hours to a full day

Best for:

A day on Lake Delton by boat

Know before you go:

Book ahead for summer weekends and ask about age and boater-safety rules for drivers.

• Rentals
• Reservations
• Boat launch
• Seasonal
• Kid-friendly

Pontoon, boat and jet ski rentals on the Upper Dells of the Wisconsin River, based at a riverside campground resort.

Ages:

All ages as passengers

Allow:

2 hours to a full day

Best for:

Exploring the Upper Dells cliffs by boat

Know before you go:

Ask about damage fees for towropes and gear before you head out.

• Rentals
• Reservations
• Boat launch
• Seasonal

Kayak, paddleboard, paddleboat and pontoon rentals on Mirror Lake's calm no-wake water, inside the state park.

Ages:

All ages

Allow:

1 to 3 hours

Cost:

State park vehicle pass needed to enter the park

Dogs:

One reviewer paddleboarded with a dog; ask when booking

Best for:

Beginner paddlers and families

Know before you go:

Paddle north past Ishnala Supper Club and under the I-90 bridges for the best cliff scenery.

From public reviews: Reviewers often mention calm, beginner-friendly water and helpful staff who suggest routes.

• Rentals
• Kid-friendly
• Easy
• Dog-friendly
• Seasonal
• Fee or park pass

Guided-style tube floats on a sandy, slow stretch of the Wisconsin River north of the Dells, with sandbar stops along the way.

Ages:

Teens and adults

Allow:

Half day

Best for:

A relaxed river float with friends

Know before you go:

Bring sunscreen. There is a bar stop about three-quarters of the way down.

From public reviews: Reviewers often mention staff on jet skis who check on floaters, tie tubes together and push people off shallow spots.

• Rentals
• Swimming
• Reservations
• Seasonal

A Lower Dells bait shop renting pontoons, fishing boats, kayaks and river tubes, with a boat ramp and an on-site restaurant.

Ages:

Kids with life jackets and up

Allow:

2 to 4 hours

Best for:

Fishing trips and lazy river floats

Know before you go:

The current is strong here. Paddle upstream first so the return trip is easier.

• Rentals
• Boat launch
• Reservations
• Seasonal

Stocked trout ponds where kids can catch fish fast, plus a bait shop; you pay for what you keep.

Ages:

All ages, especially young kids

Allow:

About 1 hour

Cost:

Pay per fish caught

Best for:

Kids catching their first fish

Know before you go:

You pay by the fish, so the bill adds up fast with eager kids. They clean the catch for you.

From public reviews: Reviewers often mention that staff explain everything, clean the fish and share cooking tips.

• Kid-friendly
• Easy
• Year-round

A public launch on Lake Delton with room for a few boats at once and a fishing dock, also handy for kayaks.

Ages:

All ages

Cost:

Launch fee, about $8 per reviewers

Best for:

Launching your own boat or kayak

Know before you go:

Launching costs about $8, and backing in from the busy intersection takes patience.

From public reviews: Reviewers often mention the $8 launch fee and a tricky back-in from the road.

• Boat launch
• Seasonal
• Easy

The public ramp onto the Upper Dells of the Wisconsin River, just upstream of downtown.

Cost:

Day parking fee, about $8, card only

Best for:

Launching to fish or cruise the Upper Dells

Know before you go:

Parking is about $8 a day by card only, and the lot fills; reviewers report tickets for overflow roadside parking.

From public reviews: Reviewers often mention the paid, card-only parking and limited turnaround space.

• Boat launch
• Seasonal

A resort golf course west of town with wooded, rolling holes, including the 18-hole Oaks layout.

Ages:

Teens and adults

Allow:

About 4 hours for 18

Best for:

A relaxed resort round

Know before you go:

Plan on about four hours for 18 holes.

• Reservations
• Restrooms
• Seasonal

An 18-hole course at Chula Vista Resort with canyon holes, a driving range, PGA instruction and a newer clubhouse.

Ages:

Teens and adults

Allow:

About 4 hours for 18

Best for:

Resort guests wanting a round close to the room

Know before you go:

Book tee times by phone. Ask whether range balls are included.

From public reviews: Reviewers often mention a short, tight layout with a strong back nine, and that weekend prices feel high for the conditions.

• Reservations
• Restrooms
• Seasonal

A short 12-hole course with fast greens, a large practice range and HD golf simulators, between the Dells and Baraboo.

Ages:

All ages

Allow:

About 2 hours

Best for:

A quick, good-value round

Know before you go:

Booking online ahead can save a few dollars over walk-up rates.

From public reviews: Reviewers often mention excellent upkeep for the price and friendly owners.

• Kid-friendly
• Year-round
• Restrooms

A nine-hole pitch-and-putt off Highway 23 with holes of roughly 90 to 150 yards and a small A-frame clubhouse.

Ages:

Kids 6 and up

Allow:

About 1 hour

Best for:

Families and short-game practice

Know before you go:

Nine holes cost about $13.

From public reviews: Reviewers often mention a well-kept course, family-friendly prices and a friendly attendant.

• Kid-friendly
• Easy
• Seasonal

A relatively flat nine-hole course on Lake Delton's west side, with cart and club rentals and a clubhouse restaurant.

Ages:

All ages

Allow:

About 2 hours for 9

Best for:

Beginners and a casual nine

Know before you go:

Rental clubs are available, so you can play without bringing a set.

From public reviews: Reviewers often mention uneven course upkeep but praise the clubhouse restaurant.

• Restrooms
• Seasonal
• Easy

A 27-hole public club on the Parkway with a driving range, carts with GPS and a clubhouse restaurant.

Ages:

Teens and adults

Allow:

About 4 to 4.5 hours for 18

Best for:

The area's most consistent full round

Know before you go:

Book tee times ahead in summer. The range has buckets of balls ready to go.

From public reviews: Reviewers often mention excellent course condition and a good practice range.

• Reservations
• Restrooms
• Seasonal

An 18-hole Hurdzan and Fry design at the Wilderness Resort, with five sets of tees and a nine-hole short course called The Woods.

Ages:

Teens and adults; The Woods suits beginners

Allow:

4.5 to 5 hours for 18

Best for:

Golfers wanting a dramatic, challenging layout

Know before you go:

Rounds can run long on busy days, so book an early tee time.

From public reviews: Reviewers often mention slow pace of play and greens that have been recovering, with recent rounds noting better conditions.

• Reservations
• Restrooms
• Seasonal

A free 18-hole park course in Reedsburg with long and short tees, so beginners and stronger throwers can share it.

Ages:

Kids 8 and up

Allow:

About 1.5 hours

Cost:

Free

Best for:

A free round for mixed skill levels

Know before you go:

Some low spots stay wet in spring, and tall grass off the fairways hides errant discs.

From public reviews: Reviewers often mention steady course improvements, soggy low areas and discs lost in tall grass.

• Free
• Easy
• Moderate
• Year-round

A wooded, hilly campus course with mostly concrete tee pads and a mix of open and technical holes, about 20 minutes from the Dells.

Ages:

Teens and adults

Allow:

About 1.5 hours

Cost:

Free

Best for:

Experienced players wanting a technical round

Know before you go:

Bring bug spray in summer and a spotter for the wooded holes.

From public reviews: Reviewers often mention tight wooded fairways where discs get lost and bugs in summer.

• Free
• Moderate
• Year-round

The region's biggest ski hill: 48 trails, 11 lifts, 460 feet of vertical, three terrain parks and a 15-lane tubing area.

Ages:

All ages

Allow:

Half day to full day

Cost:

Lift tickets or tubing sessions; kids 12 and under ski free with a paid adult per wisdells

Best for:

A full ski or snowboard day

Know before you go:

Tubing runs on reserved time slots, and ticket sales are capped on busy days, so buy ahead.

From public reviews: Reviewers often mention timed tubing sessions and lines kept short by capped ticket sales.

• Winter
• Seasonal
• Rentals
• Reservations
• Kid-friendly
• Easy
• Moderate
• Hard
• Restrooms

A smaller, quieter ski area about five miles from downtown, with 16 runs, a snowboard park and a 650-foot tubing hill.

Ages:

Families with young kids

Allow:

Half day

Cost:

Lift tickets or tubing passes

Best for:

Learning to ski and family tubing

Know before you go:

Kids six and under tube free with a paid adult, per wisdells.

• Winter
• Seasonal
• Rentals
• Kid-friendly
• Easy
• Moderate

About 18 miles of trails groomed for both skate and classic skiing, from gentle loops to the hilly Northwest Trail.

Ages:

Kids who can ski and up

Allow:

1 to 3 hours

Cost:

State park vehicle pass plus a state trail pass for skiers

Dogs:

Dogs are not allowed on groomed ski trails in Wisconsin state parks

Best for:

Groomed cross-country skiing near town

Know before you go:

Wisconsin requires a state ski pass for adults on groomed state park ski trails, in addition to the vehicle pass.

• Winter
• Fee or park pass
• Easy
• Moderate
• Hard
• Seasonal

A designated stretch of Devil's Lake shoreline where dogs can swim and play off leash.

Allow:

30 to 60 minutes

Cost:

State park vehicle pass: $13 a day with Wisconsin plates or $16 out of state in 2026, or an annual pass

Dogs:

Off leash allowed in the designated area

Best for:

Water-loving dogs after a hike

Know before you go:

It is not fenced and sits along the road, so only let reliable dogs off leash.

From public reviews: Reviewers often mention that it is unfenced and close to a busy road, but friendly and fun for dogs.

• Fee or park pass
• Dog-friendly
• Swimming
• Year-round