Your Guide to Things to Do in Wisconsin Dells Beyond the Waterparks

The smell of pine needles and campfire smoke hits different than chlorine. And while the Wisconsin Dells has earned its reputation as the Waterpark Capital of the World, the real magic of this region is what most visitors drive right past on their way to the wave pools — glacier-carved gorges half a mile from your front door, a distillery on the Baraboo River pouring 90-point bourbon, and a free ferry that's been crossing Lake Wisconsin since 1844.

Whether you're staying at our Big Sky Barnhouse in Merrimac or just starting to plan a Dells-area trip, this guide covers the things to do in Wisconsin Dells that don't involve a single waterslide — hiking, paddling, local dining, craft beverages, and enough year-round activities to fill a long weekend in any season.

Trails and Gorges You Can Reach Before Your Coffee Gets Cold

Parfrey's Glen is less than a mile from our Merrimac barnhouse, and it's one of the most stunning short hikes in the state. This 1.7-mile out-and-back trail follows a rushing creek through a narrow sandstone gorge, with rock scrambling over mossy boulders and a waterfall waiting at the end. The parking lot only holds about 16 cars, so get there early on weekends. Wear waterproof shoes — you'll be crossing the creek more than once.

Eight miles south, Devil's Lake State Park is the centerpiece of outdoor recreation in the region. With 9,000 acres and 29 miles of trails, you could hike here every day for a week and not repeat a route. The East Bluff Trail climbs 500-foot quartzite cliffs with views that stretch across the entire Baraboo Range. The Tumbled Rocks Trail along the western shore is a gentler one-mile walk perfect for families or anyone who wants the scenery without the elevation. One thing to know: the bluff trails have no guardrails and the rock is uneven, so save them for dry days and sturdy footwear.

Mirror Lake State Park, about 10 miles from the barnhouse and just 3 miles from downtown Wisconsin Dells, is the overlooked neighbor that locals prefer. The lake sits perfectly still most mornings — glass-like enough to mirror the surrounding sandstone cliffs and pine forests. It sees a fraction of the crowds at Devil's Lake, and the 28 miles of hiking trails wind through dense oak and pine woods that feel more like northern Wisconsin than a tourist corridor.

For something more dramatic, Pewit's Nest is a 30-to-40-foot-deep gorge carved by glacial meltwater about 12 miles from Merrimac. Skillet Creek drops through potholes and low waterfalls surrounded by hemlock, white pine, and yellow birch. It's a quick visit — you can see the gorge and be back at the car in under an hour — but the kind of place that makes you pause and just stare for a while.

After a day on the trails, come back to the hot tub, fire pit, and indoor tiki bar at Big Sky Barnhouse Merrimac. With 6,000 square feet across four floors, there's room for your whole crew to spread out and recover.

Where to Eat and Drink Like a Local

The dining scene around Baraboo and the Dells rewards anyone willing to skip the tourist-strip buffets and drive 10 minutes in the right direction.

Driftless Glen Distillery sits on the banks of the Baraboo River, about an 8-mile drive from the barnhouse, and it's a genuinely world-class operation in a town of 12,000 people. Their Straight Bourbon scored 90 points from Whisky Advocate, and the cocktail menu leans into it — think maple bacon old fashioneds and bourbon bread pudding for dessert. The elk sliders and tuna tartare are worth ordering even if you came just for the drinks. Tours run $20 per person with tastings and a souvenir glass.

Tumbled Rock Brewery is 7 miles away in Baraboo, and it's the kind of place where you walk in for a beer and end up staying for dinner. Their wood-fired pizzas are the draw — the pear, prosciutto, and gorgonzola combination has a reputation that extends well beyond Sauk County. Pair it with one of their house-brewed ales and you've got one of the best casual meals in the area.

A.L. Ringling Brewing Co. opened in 2025 inside the historic Ringling Mansion, which makes it one of the more interesting places to drink a beer in Wisconsin. One of the owners is Paraguayan and prepares authentic heritage dishes alongside brewery standards like cheese curds and pretzels. Try the Disco Lemonade ale if it's on tap.

For a proper Wisconsin supper club experience, House of Embers in the Dells has been smoking hickory baby back ribs since 1959. The ribs genuinely fall off the bone, and the hand-cut steaks hold their own against any chophouse in the Midwest. Go on a weeknight if you want a quieter table — Friday and Saturday nights pack the dining room.

And don't sleep on Wollersheim Winery, 13 miles from Merrimac in Prairie du Sac. It's Wisconsin's most established winery with over 150 years of history, and the hillside vineyard views from the upper patio make it worth the trip even before you taste anything. The guided tours are genuinely informative, and the bistro serves food that pairs well with their award-winning Prairie Fumé and Dry Riesling.

Fawn Creek Winery, about 18 miles toward the Dells, takes a different approach — six tasting bars across three buildings, free tastings year-round, and a live music schedule that runs from late spring through fall in their heated outdoor pavilion. The giant pretzel appetizer has its own fan base.

On the Water (No Waterslide Required)

The Wisconsin Dells region was carved by water, and the best way to experience it is still from the surface of it.

Mirror Lake is a designated slow-no-wake lake, which means no motorboat noise — just the sound of your paddle hitting glass-calm water between sandstone cliffs. Kayak and paddleboard rentals are available on-site, and even complete beginners can handle the calm, protected water. Early mornings are best, before the breeze picks up and the reflections start to break.

Devil's Lake doesn't allow powerboats either, making it another peaceful paddling option with dramatic quartzite bluffs rising on both sides. Rentals are available at the park concession stand.

For something more adventurous, the Upper Dells section of the Wisconsin River offers a 7.5-mile paddle through the sandstone formations, caves, and slot canyons that gave the Dells its name. You'll pass through Witches Gulch — a narrow, moss-covered canyon that's one of the most photographed spots in the state. Paddle early, before 10 AM, to get ahead of the commercial boat tour traffic.

And for a simpler water experience, the Merrimac Ferry is right down the road — less than a mile from the barnhouse. It's Wisconsin's only free ferry, a 5-minute scenic crossing of Lake Wisconsin that's been running since 1844. It's not exactly an adventure activity, but it's one of those small, free, unexpectedly charming things that makes a trip memorable.

Family Adventures That Aren't Waterparks

The Original Wisconsin Ducks have been running WWII-era amphibious vehicle tours through the Dells since the 1940s, and they remain one of the best family-friendly activities in the area — about a 15-minute drive from the barnhouse. The guides mix geology, local history, and enough dad jokes to keep kids engaged for the full tour. Sit toward the back if gasoline fumes bother you.

Circus World in Baraboo (12 miles away) sits on the original winter home of the Ringling Bros. circus. Summer months bring live performances under the big top, and the museum's collection of circus memorabilia is surprisingly deep. The International Crane Foundation is nearby — the only place on Earth where you can see all 15 of the world's crane species, set on acres of restored tallgrass prairie.

Cave of the Mounds is a longer drive at 36 miles, but it's a National Natural Landmark with well-maintained pathways and engaging tour guides who use UV lights to highlight limestone formations. The cave stays a constant 50°F year-round, which makes it a welcome break on a hot summer day or a fascinating rainy-day backup plan. Ticketed time windows keep it from ever feeling overcrowded.

For older kids and adults, Devil's Head Resort — literally half a mile from the barnhouse — offers golf in summer and skiing in winter. The slopes lean toward beginner and intermediate runs, which makes it ideal for families or groups with mixed ability levels.

Planning a multi-day trip? Our Merrimac barnhouse sleeps 24 guests across 5 bedrooms and 4 floors, with a golf simulator, arcade, pool table, karaoke, and an indoor beach room with sand and swings. It's a destination inside a destination. Browse all BSB properties and book directly for the best rates.

Best Time to Visit the Wisconsin Dells Area

Summer (June through August) is peak season with full access to every attraction, but it's also the most crowded and most expensive window. If your schedule allows it, the shoulder seasons offer more of the Dells with fewer people.

Fall is arguably the best time to visit. Peak colors hit the Baraboo Range and Devil's Lake bluffs around mid-October, and the hiking is spectacular — cooler temps, golden canopy, and trails that aren't packed shoulder-to-shoulder. The Merrimac Ferry runs through November, and Wollersheim Winery's hillside views in fall foliage are postcard-level. Off-season rates at the barnhouse are lower too.

Winter transforms the area into a ski-and-snowshoe destination. Devil's Head is a half-mile walk from the barnhouse, and Devil's Lake State Park grooms trails for cross-country skiing and offers snowshoe loans from the Nature Center on a first-come basis. Evenings at the barnhouse hit different in winter — fire pit, hot tub, and the SkyTrak golf simulator in the heated garage when it's too cold to go outside.

Spring brings rushing water back to Parfrey's Glen and wildflowers along the bluff trails. It's the quietest season, which means you'll have the gorges and overlooks mostly to yourself.

Where to Stay Near Wisconsin Dells

If you're traveling with a group — family reunion, bachelor or bachelorette weekend, friends trip, corporate retreat — a resort hotel means splitting up across multiple rooms and meeting in the lobby. Big Sky Barnhouse in Merrimac is a different approach entirely.

The barnhouse sleeps up to 24 guests across 5 bedrooms and 4 floors in 6,000 square feet of converted barn space. It's not a hotel — it's a full private property with a hot tub, sauna, fire pit, indoor beach room with sand and tiki bar, a SkyTrak golf simulator in the heated garage, pool table, arcade machine, karaoke setup, screened-in porch, and an upper deck with a bartender serving bar. The converted Silo Bunkhouse adds extra sleeping space for larger groups.

Location-wise, it's centrally positioned for everything in this guide. Parfrey's Glen and Devil's Head are each a half-mile away. Devil's Lake is 8 miles. Downtown Baraboo's restaurants and breweries are 7 to 9 miles. The Dells itself is 20 miles — close enough for a day trip, far enough that you're not in the middle of the tourist strip.

Book directly at bigskybarnhouse.com for the best rates. Nightly rates start from $975.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is there to do in Wisconsin Dells besides waterparks?

The Dells area offers world-class hiking at Devil's Lake State Park, kayaking on Mirror Lake, craft beverage destinations like Driftless Glen Distillery and Tumbled Rock Brewery, historic boat tours with the Original Wisconsin Ducks, and natural attractions like Parfrey's Glen and Pewit's Nest gorge. There's enough non-waterpark activity to fill an entire week.

What are the best hikes near Wisconsin Dells?

Devil's Lake State Park's East Bluff Trail is the most popular for its 500-foot quartzite cliff views. Parfrey's Glen offers a stunning gorge hike with a waterfall. Mirror Lake State Park has 28 miles of quieter trails through pine and oak woods. Pewit's Nest features a dramatic glacial gorge with waterfalls along Skillet Creek.

Is Wisconsin Dells worth visiting in the fall or winter?

Absolutely. Fall brings peak foliage to the Baraboo Range bluffs in mid-October, with fewer crowds and lower lodging rates. Winter offers skiing and snowboarding at Devil's Head Resort, plus cross-country skiing and snowshoeing at Devil's Lake State Park. The area is a genuine four-season destination.

Are there good breweries or wineries near Wisconsin Dells?

Several. Tumbled Rock Brewery in Baraboo is known for its wood-fired pizzas and house-brewed ales. Driftless Glen Distillery serves award-winning bourbon and craft cocktails on the Baraboo River. Wollersheim Winery in Prairie du Sac offers guided tours and hillside vineyard dining. Fawn Creek Winery near the Dells has free tastings and live music year-round.

Where should a large group stay near Wisconsin Dells?

Big Sky Barnhouse in Merrimac sleeps up to 24 guests in a 6,000-square-foot converted barn with a hot tub, sauna, golf simulator, indoor beach room, and more. It's 20 miles from the Dells and within 8 miles of Devil's Lake, Baraboo, and multiple breweries. Book directly at bigskybarnhouse.com for the best rates.

Planning a group trip?

Big Sky Barnhouse properties sleep 20-30+ guests across Kentucky, Wisconsin, and Indiana — private lakes, game barns, full kitchens, and enough space that nobody has to share a bathroom. Browse availability and see what fits your group.

Browse All Properties