Wisconsin Dells

Wisconsin Dells lies along the Wisconsin River, surrounded by sandstone cliffs shaped by glaciers thousands of years ago. This area includes Noah’s Ark, the largest outdoor waterpark in the U.S., and Kahlari Resorts, which has indoor slides and wave pools. You can ride amphibious duck vehicles through wooded paths and along the river, or explore downtown arcades, Ripley’s Believe It or Not, and the preserved studio of photographer H.H. Bennett. The region’s past connects to Native American communities and 1800s logging industries, with landmarks like Stand Rock made famous by Bennett’s 1886 photograph of his son mid-jump.

Waterparks and Theme Parks

Noah’s Ark Waterpark has more than 50 slides, such as the looping Raja and wave pools such as the Big Kahuna. At Wilderness Resort, you’ll find both indoor and outdoor waterparks with tube rides like the Hurricane and a lazy river that passes through artificial caves. Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park includes roller coasters like Hades 360 alongside outdoor wave pools and structures inspired by ancient Rome. Kalahari Resorts lets you try indoor surfing on a simulated wave or slide down glass-covered tubes that curve above the resort. These parks stay open in winter, with heated indoor areas allowing swimming and sliding even when temperatures drop.

River Tours and Natural Areas

Glacial floods over 15,000 years ago carved the Wisconsin River’s sandstone cliffs, which you can view from open-air boats on Dells Boat Tours. These tours pass through narrow canyons like Witches Gulch, where moss grows on walls towering 50 feet above the water. Wisconsin Duck Tours take you on WWII amphibious vehicles that drive through forests before splashing into Lake Delton. Walk the Chapel Gorge Trail to reach a small beach between cliffs, or visit the Cambrian Overlook for wide views of the river. The Dells of the Wisconsin River State Natural Area preserves five miles of cliffs, but check access rules in advance since entry points are limited.

History and Culture

The H.H. Bennett Studio museum displays 19th-century cameras and photos that helped popularize the Dells’ rock formations, including the famous shot of Bennett’s son jumping to Stand Rock. Along the downtown Dells Scenic River Walk, signs explain how logging and geology shaped the area. The Ho-Chunk Nation’s cultural presence continues at Ho-Chunk Gaming Casino, where events highlight traditional art. Six miles north, the International Crane Foundation cares for all 15 crane species, including rare whooping cranes, across 300 acres of grasslands and wetlands.

Outdoor Adventures

Bigfoot Zipline lets you glide over forested valleys at speeds reaching 50 mph. Six miles south, Mirror Lake State Park has calm water for kayaking below sandstone cliffs and shaded spots for picnics. During winter, Cascade Mountain opens 36 ski runs, and Christmas Mountain Village has lanes for snow tubing. Golfers play courses like Trapper’s Turn, designed by Andy North, with fairways weaving through trees and hills. Canyon Creek Ranch leads horseback rides along the river and through oak-covered landscapes.

Restaurants and Shopping

Paul Bunyan’s Cook Shanty offers unlimited pancakes, sausage, and cinnamon rolls in a log cabin-style dining room. Near major waterparks, Pizza Pub serves a lunch buffet with pizza, pasta, and salad. The Outlets at the Dells has over 40 stores, including Columbia Sportswear and Nike, arranged in a walkable outdoor plaza. For dinner, Moosejaw Pizza & Dells Brewing Co. bakes wood-fired pizzas and brews beers like the Dells Chief Amber Ale. Downtown, Goody Goody Gum Drop sells taffy and fudge in flavors such as maple bacon.

Places to Stay

Kalahari Resort has a 125,000-square-foot indoor waterpark, African-inspired decor, and suites with private game rooms. Great Wolf Lodge caters to younger children with smaller slides, a lobby storytime hour, and a game where magic wands trigger lights and sounds. Budget-friendly Atlantis Family Motel provides simple rooms with mini-fridges, while Polynesian Water Park Resort includes tiki-themed pools. Campers can choose from 19 nearby sites, including Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park, which screens movies outdoors and has RV hookups.

Transportation Options

Amtrak’s Empire Builder and Borealis trains stop daily in Wisconsin Dells, linking to Chicago, Minneapolis, and Milwaukee. Greyhound buses connect Chicago’s Union Station to the downtown terminal. The closest major airport is Dane County Regional Airport in Madison, 55 miles south, where you can rent a car for the hour-long drive. Highways I-90 and I-94 run through the area, making road trips from cities like Milwaukee or Minneapolis easy. Once there, the Wisconsin Dells Trolley shuttles visitors between resorts, waterparks, and downtown.

Day Trips

Six miles south, Mirror Lake State Park rents kayaks and has trails looping around a quiet lake edged by pines. Devil’s Lake State Park, 30 miles east, attracts climbers to its quartzite cliffs and swimmers to its clear, deep water. Fifteen miles away in Baraboo, the Aldo Leopold Legacy Center teaches about conservation through hands-on exhibits and guided walks. Also in Baraboo, the Al. Ringling Theatre stages plays and concerts in a historic 1915 venue with ornate gold-leaf ceilings.