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Wisconsin Dells

pasusan
Explorer
Explorer
We have heard about incredible scenery and natural features. When I look it up on Google and do a search here in the forums folks are talking about restaurants, waterparks, and entertainment. We are not really interested in any of that.

We want to see and experience the natural beauty - can anyone tell me about that? What is special about this place? And, where would be the best hiking spots to experience it?

Susan & Ben [2004 Roadtrek 170]
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17 REPLIES 17

TheAlphaDog2017
Explorer
Explorer
Depending on what you like to do, there are a ton of options around the Dells.

I personally don't enjoy crowds much, but with that being said I'd highly recommend the Duck Tours & the Tommy Bartlett Ski Show. Those are two pretty iconic attractions in the area.

Aside from that there are some great golf courses in the area, and as you'd expect from Wisconsin there are some really good fishing spots in the area as well.

If you're looking for campgrounds to stay at, there's a pretty good list on Vault Cargo's site here: ***Link Removed***https://vaultcargo.com/wisconsin-dells-camping-guide/

dapperdan
Explorer
Explorer
As people have suggested checking out Devil's Lake SP, it's a great park IF you can get in. That's a VERY popular park, you would've needed to have reservations already. You can roll the dice and get there around 3:00 pm and wait in line for "cancelations and no-shows". Reservations need to be made by January or it's going to be tough. Same goes for Mirror Lake SP. We made reservations back in February and got one of the last spots available for late August and we could only get middle of the week, NO weekends available. You can go online at Reserve America and check out availability.

It's an awesome area, good luck with your adventure.

Dan

JesLookin
Explorer
Explorer
rexlion wrote:
I will be interested in seeing the various answers about the Dells also. Haven't been there, but heard of it and wondered.

I can say that the drive between Dubuque and Madison (not far SW of the Dells) is very scenic and pastoral; rolling hills with fields and patches of woods, and vivid shades of green.

Yes that is a very scenic drive. We drove through there about 2 weeks ago.

But, watch out for the speed trap just inside the Wisconsin border on Hwy 151. They had three pulled over and were chasing down another.

However we did see a large bear foraging in a field.
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VoodooMedicineM
Explorer
Explorer
Denny

Let me know what you think.
Bill and Joey the dog

longdrive
Explorer
Explorer
There is a casino about 10 min away also

AJR
Explorer
Explorer
As a BSA adult advisor I did both Mirror Lake and Devils Lake for many years. If you really want to get your โ€œhuffโ€ in go to Devils Lake. Just do the high trail hike all the way around the lake. Looking down at eagles soaring over the lake is worth the entrance fee. There are also other โ€œGlacier Age Trailsโ€ most folks never do at Devils Lake. Devils Lake campgrounds are the most used in Wisconsin. Quartzite campground has the first 25 campsites as first come first served. You need to get there mid-week and pick campsite #1.

Mirror Lake is surprisingly quiet considering how close it is to the interstate. Beautiful place to camp.

Other than the strip in the Dells. There is the rail road museum in Friendship. The circus museum in Baraboo. For a real treat go here for breakfast or lunch.
http://broadwaydinereats.com/

Hope this helps.
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Wiscampsin
Explorer
Explorer
Devils Lake offers great hiking! Besides Devils Lake there is Mirror Lake State Park located very close to the Dells. Not the best for hiking but they do have non-reservable sites. Be forewarned if you want to be in a WI state park they fill up very fast during the summer so make reservations early. Here's a link to Mirror Lake: http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/name/mirrorlake/

dodge_guy
Explorer
Explorer
If you want to do it on your own, you could rent a pontoon boat for 1/2 a day and enjoy the river on your own. Bring a grille and enjoy. The lower dells are much more scenic than the upper.

Have fun. Yes it is very touristy, but if you know exactly what you are going to do and you don't stop at every single place it is very pleasant. We stay at stand rock campground just outside the Dells. Very nice place. The property back to the Wisconsin River and they have some nice trails that go back to the edge of the river and you can wade on the sand bar.
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pasusan
Explorer
Explorer
Thanks all for the responses! I've definitely got a better idea of what it's all about. Looks like the boat tours are the only way to see the sandstone rock formations and cliffs.

We'll have to pick a non-busy time to go so we can enjoy the state park hiking as well as the boat tours.

Dewey02 - thanks for the pics and description!

Susan & Ben [2004 Roadtrek 170]
href="https://sites.google.com/view/pasusan-trips/home" target="_blank">Trip Pics

dodge_guy
Explorer
Explorer
There is a lot of natural beauty as well as manmade attractions. You'll definitely want an Original Ducks (Dukw) tour. And an upper dells boat tour would be nice. Not much hiking on your own in the area. Devils Lake State Park would be good for hiking and is about 15 min from the dells.
Wife Kim
Son Brandon 17yrs
Daughter Marissa 16yrs
Dog Bailey

12 Forest River Georgetown 350TS Hellwig sway bars, BlueOx TrueCenter stabilizer

13 Ford Explorer Roadmaster Stowmaster 5000, VIP Tow>
A bad day camping is
better than a good day at work!

dewey02
Explorer
Explorer
Like many tourist attractions, the WI Dells originally became popular because of the beautiful scenery along the river. It was relatively close to Chicago, so became a prime destination spot. Like most other tourist places, the area began to cater to tourists and developed golf courses, mini-golf courses, go-cart tracks, wild animal parks, water rides and slides, Tommy Bartlett's water show, hotels, motels, restaurants, and on to the really silly stuff: Up-side down White House, spook houses, The Russian MIR space station, bungi-rides, etc. There are now many people (especially those with kids) that visit the Dells area on a regular basis and have no idea that the scenery and boat tours are even there.

But...the original reason for it being a tourist attraction is STILL THERE!
Charter a ride on both the upper and lower (that's above the dam and below it) Dells boat tours. Explore other beautiful and fairly peaceful places like Devil's Lake State Park, Mirror Lake State Park. Go hiking. The Dells has many beautiful and wonderful places if you just get away from the "strip" and explore a bit.






Devil's Lake state park

VoodooMedicineM
Explorer
Explorer
Devils Lake State Park is just south of the Dells and has what your looking for.
Bill and Joey the dog

evanrem
Explorer II
Explorer II
I have not done the dells boat ride since I was a kid but I did stop at some of the stops along the way more recently and its probably worth it. These are places I stop at on a regular basis:
Mirror lake state park- hike the trails paddle the lake and eat at Ishnala supper club.
Devils lake state park- great hiking trails busy place though
Parfays glen state natural and pewits nest state natural area bring your swimsuit for the latter.

Itching2go
Explorer II
Explorer II
As Veebyes mentioned, the main natural attractions are the boat tours. Beyond that, there are other interesting things to see and do, like shopping, restaurants, and water parks. If you like to hike, there are a few state parks in the area that are worth a visit. We particularly liked the bluff trail in Devil's Lake State Park near Baraboo. We spent a week or so there and had no problem finding things to occupy us.
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