Baraboo Hills and Wisconsin Dells
Quartzite bluffs at Devil’s Lake, a sandstone gorge, the Ringling circus museum and the rock-lined river of the Wisconsin Dells.
- Distance
- 90 km (56 mi)
- Driving
- 0 h 60 min
- Suggested days
- 2
- Stops
- 7
- States
- WI
- Updated
- May 5, 2026
At a glance: 2-day road trip of about 90 km (56 mi) with 7 stops, from Madison to Wisconsin Dells. About 0 h 60 min of driving in total.
More road trips in Wisconsin
Route description
Leave Madison north on WI-113 through Lodi to Merrimac, where a free car ferry, the Colsac III, crosses the Wisconsin River from spring to autumn. From there it is a short drive to Parfrey’s Glen. The hike to the gorge is short, but its last part follows the rocky creek bed with a ford, and the rocks are slippery after rain. The ferry has size limits, so large RVs should cross on US-12 at Sauk City instead.
Devil’s Lake State Park lies a few kilometers west, reached by WI-113 or South Shore Road. There are beaches at the north and south shores, and trails climb the bluffs for views. The park is very busy on summer weekends and parking lots fill early. Three large campgrounds are near the north shore; book months ahead for summer.
Baraboo is a pleasant small town with a courthouse square and the Al. Ringling Theatre. Circus World, on the river just east of downtown, has shows in summer. Then drive north on US-12 or WI-136 to Mirror Lake State Park, near I-90/94 at Lake Delton, which has quiet campgrounds and canoe and kayak rentals. Its no-wake lake is a calm contrast to the busy Dells.
Wisconsin Dells is a busy resort town known for water parks, but it also has fine river scenery. The best way to see the sandstone cliffs and side canyons of the Wisconsin River is on a boat tour from downtown. Rocky Arbor State Park, just north of town, is a quiet place to walk. The best season is June to September; many attractions close in winter.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Madison
WI - 251 km
Parfrey’s Glen State Natural Area
NatureBaraboo, WIA narrow sandstone gorge with moss-covered walls, Wisconsin’s first state natural area. Floods destroyed the boardwalk, so the last part of the 2.6 km round trip follows the rocky creek bed; no entry beyond the waterfall.
- 39 km
Devil’s Lake State Park
NatureBaraboo, WIA clear lake between 150 m quartzite bluffs, with the East Bluff and Balanced Rock trails climbing over boulder fields. Wisconsin’s busiest state park: arrive early in summer; a vehicle admission sticker is required.
- 46 km
Baraboo
WI - 51 km
Circus World
HistoryBaraboo, WIA museum on the winter quarters of the Ringling Brothers circus, with over 200 circus wagons and live big-top shows in summer. Check winter opening hours before you go.
- 614 km
Mirror Lake State Park
NatureLake Delton, WIA quiet no-wake lake in a sandstone canyon just south of Wisconsin Dells, good for paddling. It is also home to the Frank Lloyd Wright Seth Peterson Cottage, which has open-house days.
- 79 km
Wisconsin Dells
WI
FAQs
How long is Baraboo Hills and Wisconsin Dells?
2-day road trip of about 90 km (56 mi) with 7 stops, from Madison to Wisconsin Dells. About 0 h 60 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Baraboo Hills and Wisconsin Dells?
We suggest 2 days: about 0 h 60 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Baraboo Hills and Wisconsin Dells start and end?
It starts in Madison and ends in Wisconsin Dells.
Which states does Baraboo Hills and Wisconsin Dells pass through?
Wisconsin.
