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Baraboo Range
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Explore the Baraboo Range for quartzite bluffs, Devil’s Lake trails, circus history, wildlife conservation and the river country of south-central Wisconsin.

The Baraboo Range rises from the agricultural landscape of south-central Wisconsin as a long, rugged arc of ancient quartzite hills. Its best-known centre is Baraboo, a small city in Sauk County set near the range’s western and central landscapes, while the Wisconsin River and the sandstone formations around Wisconsin Dells lie to the north. Together, the hills, woods, lakes and river valleys create a region with a stronger sense of geological character than its modest altitude might suggest.
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Devil’s Lake State Park is the defining outdoor destination. Encircling a deep, clear lake, its quartzite bluffs provide some of southern Wisconsin’s most rewarding walks and climbing terrain. Trails climb sharply to overlooks such as Balanced Rock and Devil’s Doorway, while lower paths follow the lakeshore through woodland and glacially shaped terrain. The park is popular in summer and during autumn colour, so visitors should expect busy roads and trailheads at peak times.
Baraboo gives the range its cultural focus. The city developed beside the Baraboo River and was the home of the Ringling brothers, whose circus enterprise grew from local beginnings into a major American entertainment company. Circus World preserves that story through historic wagons, buildings and exhibitions, while the downtown area retains a practical small-city character with independent shops, cafés, galleries and community events. The International Crane Foundation, located in the surrounding Baraboo area, adds a conservation perspective through its work with cranes and wetland habitats.
Beyond the principal attractions, the range rewards slower exploration. State natural areas and protected woodlands reveal unusual plant communities on the exposed hills, while roads through Sauk County connect farms, river settlements and viewpoints. The eastern side blends into the broader Wisconsin Dells landscape, although the famous sandstone canyon country there is geologically distinct from the Baraboo quartzite hills. Walking, paddling, birdwatching, wildlife observation and scenic driving are central experiences, with the most dramatic scenery concentrated around Devil’s Lake.
The region is accessible year-round, but each season changes its character. Summer brings swimming, camping and water-based recreation; autumn highlights the woodland slopes; winter allows quieter visits, though snow and ice can make steep trails hazardous. The Baraboo Range is not a wilderness far from settlement: its appeal lies in the relationship between ancient rock, working countryside, a lively small city and a conservation-minded network of parks and protected landscapes.

Getting to and around Baraboo Range

How to get there

Baraboo and the central Baraboo Range are reached primarily by road, with US Highway 12 and Wisconsin Highway 33 serving as important approaches. The nearest substantial commercial airport is Dane County Regional Airport in Madison, outside the region and roughly an hour away by car depending on the destination; Milwaukee and Chicago airports are farther gateways for visitors combining the area with wider Wisconsin or the Midwest. Amtrak service is available at Wisconsin Dells, north of the range, and at Columbus, east of the region, but reaching local parks from either station generally requires a taxi, rideshare or pre-arranged vehicle.

Transportation

A car is the most practical way to connect Baraboo with Devil’s Lake State Park, Circus World, the International Crane Foundation and more dispersed countryside or natural areas. Local roads are generally straightforward, though summer park traffic and autumn weekends can slow travel. Baraboo has local taxi and rideshare availability that may vary, while rural coverage should not be assumed. Cycling is possible on quieter roads, but hills, traffic and limited shoulders require care. Inside Devil’s Lake, walking trails are the principal way to reach overlooks and shoreline areas; distances and steep climbs should be checked before setting out.

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Best attractions in Baraboo Range

The Baraboo Range’s attractions combine geology, outdoor recreation, conservation and local history. Devil’s Lake State Park is the centrepiece, with a large lake, quartzite bluffs, wooded trails, beaches and overlooks reached by sometimes demanding climbs. Hikers can explore routes to formations including Devil’s Doorway and Balanced Rock, while swimmers, paddlers and campers use the lower parts of the park in warmer months. Circus World in Baraboo interprets the city’s connection with the Ringling brothers and the development of the American circus through historic structures, collections and performance-related displays. The International Crane Foundation, in the surrounding Baraboo area, offers a more contemplative visit focused on crane species, wetlands and international conservation. Other protected lands and state natural areas reveal the range’s unusual woodland, prairie and rock habitats, although access and facilities vary. Scenic drives through Sauk County link the hills with farms, river valleys and small communities, and the Baraboo River provides opportunities for quieter nature observation. The adjacent Wisconsin Dells area is a separate nearby destination known for sandstone river scenery and family attractions, rather than part of the Baraboo Range’s quartzite landscape.

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Best landmarks in Baraboo Range

The most recognisable landmark of the Baraboo Range is the quartzite wall surrounding Devil’s Lake, where weathered formations such as Devil’s Doorway and Balanced Rock illustrate the ancient structure of the hills. The lake itself is a defining natural feature, occupying a former gorge and creating a striking contrast between calm water and steep wooded slopes. Baraboo’s historic connection with the circus is embodied by Circus World and the surviving buildings associated with the Ringling winter quarters, an important cultural landmark rather than simply a museum collection. The Baraboo River, which runs through the city, explains the town’s original commercial position and remains a useful geographical reference. Across the hills, exposed rock faces, forested ridges and protected valleys form a dispersed landscape of landmarks rather than a single monumental skyline. The International Crane Foundation is another significant place in the region’s modern identity, representing conservation science and the protection of wetland species. The sandstone formations and resort landmarks of Wisconsin Dells are nearby but belong to a separate landscape and should not be confused with the Baraboo Range’s quartzite geology.

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Best restaurants in Baraboo Range

Dining in the Baraboo Range is centred on Baraboo and the surrounding small communities, with cafés, family-run restaurants, traditional American eateries, bakeries, supper-club-style dining and rural taverns providing the broadest choice. Menus commonly draw on Wisconsin’s wider food culture, including cheese, local beer, burgers, fried fish, dairy products and seasonal produce, rather than a single cuisine unique to the hills. Farm stands and markets can provide fruit, vegetables, preserves and baked goods when in season, while visitors staying in the countryside may find that evening options are more limited than in town. Near Devil’s Lake, informal meals and picnic supplies are practical for a day on the trails, but popular summer periods can make advance planning sensible. Baraboo’s independent dining scene is suited to relaxed breakfasts, light lunches and post-hike meals, while nearby Wisconsin Dells has a larger and more visitor-oriented selection but is outside the core range. Tipping follows standard US practice, and sales tax is generally added to displayed prices.

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Best bars in Baraboo Range

Evenings in the Baraboo Range are low-key and concentrated in Baraboo rather than spread across a large nightlife district. Traditional taverns, brew-focused bars, casual restaurants and neighbourhood pubs provide places for local beer, conversation and food, while occasional live music and community programming add to the town’s evening calendar. The area does not have a major club scene; visitors staying near Devil’s Lake are more likely to spend the evening around a campsite, rental accommodation or a quiet restaurant than at a nightclub. Wisconsin Dells, immediately north of the range’s central area, offers a much broader tourist-oriented evening economy, but it is a neighbouring destination with a different scale and character. Seasonal events and weekends can make individual venues busier, so current opening arrangements should be checked locally. Driving after drinking is unsafe and illegal; arrange a taxi, rideshare or designated driver rather than relying on late-night rural transport.

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Best nightclubs in Baraboo Range

Evenings in the Baraboo Range are low-key and concentrated in Baraboo rather than spread across a large nightlife district. Traditional taverns, brew-focused bars, casual restaurants and neighbourhood pubs provide places for local beer, conversation and food, while occasional live music and community programming add to the town’s evening calendar. The area does not have a major club scene; visitors staying near Devil’s Lake are more likely to spend the evening around a campsite, rental accommodation or a quiet restaurant than at a nightclub. Wisconsin Dells, immediately north of the range’s central area, offers a much broader tourist-oriented evening economy, but it is a neighbouring destination with a different scale and character. Seasonal events and weekends can make individual venues busier, so current opening arrangements should be checked locally. Driving after drinking is unsafe and illegal; arrange a taxi, rideshare or designated driver rather than relying on late-night rural transport.

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Best shops in Baraboo Range

Shopping in the Baraboo Range is focused on Baraboo’s independent high-street businesses, practical services, galleries, antiques, books, gifts and locally produced food rather than large luxury centres. Visitors can look for Wisconsin cheese, preserves, maple products, bakery goods, craft beverages and other regional provisions at specialist shops, farm stands and seasonal markets, with availability varying through the year. Downtown Baraboo is the most useful place for browsing small retailers and cafés, while nearby rural communities offer occasional craft, produce and community markets rather than permanent shopping districts. Circus-related souvenirs and locally themed gifts are available around the city’s heritage attractions, but the strongest purchases are often useful regional foods or work by local makers. Outdoor shops and outfitters serve visitors heading to Devil’s Lake, although selection is more limited than in Madison or larger cities. Wisconsin Dells, just outside the range, has a much more extensive tourist retail scene, including novelty shops and family-oriented merchandise; it is best treated as a nearby excursion rather than as the shopping identity of the Baraboo hills.

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Baraboo Range essentials

Currency and Payment
The currency is the US dollar (USD), as throughout Wisconsin and the United States. Cards and contactless payments are widely accepted in Baraboo, larger attractions, accommodation and petrol stations, although small vendors, rural businesses, park concessions or seasonal markets may prefer or require cash. Keep some small notes available, particularly when travelling beyond town centres. Foreign cards may incur exchange or transaction fees, and visitors should notify their card provider before travelling if required.
Safety
The main practical hazards are outdoor rather than urban: steep and uneven rock paths, loose surfaces, heat, ticks, sudden weather changes and icy winter conditions. Stay behind barriers and well back from cliff edges, supervise children near the lake and never dive where water depth is unknown. Check weather and trail conditions before hiking, carry water and use insect protection in wooded or grassy areas. In summer, busy roads and full car parks around Devil’s Lake require patience; cyclists and pedestrians should take particular care on narrow rural roads.
Emergency Situations
Call 911 for police, fire or ambulance emergencies anywhere in the Baraboo Range and provide the clearest available location, trail name or landmark. Mobile coverage can be unreliable in wooded valleys and around some rock formations, so tell someone your intended route before a longer walk. For a non-urgent medical issue, ask accommodation staff or park personnel about the nearest appropriate facility. In a serious outdoor incident, park staff or emergency dispatchers can coordinate the relevant local rescue response; do not attempt a risky self-rescue from cliffs or water.
Do's and Don'ts
Do follow posted park rules, remain on marked trails, pack out rubbish and respect barriers protecting fragile rock and habitats. Do keep dogs leashed where required and clean up after them. Do give walkers and climbers space, observe quiet hours at campsites and ask permission before photographing people or private property. Do not remove rock, plants or historic objects, feed wildlife, or enter closed areas. Tipping in restaurants and for many personal services is customary in the United States, while prices commonly exclude sales tax until checkout.
Local Tips
Start an active day early at Devil’s Lake, particularly on summer weekends and during autumn colour, and consider visiting Baraboo’s cultural sites later in the day. The central range is compact enough for several outings but its attractions are not all walkable from town. Allow time for scenic pauses on the roads through the Baraboo Hills rather than treating the area as only a route between major sites. Winter visitors should expect shorter daylight, snow and ice on exposed trails, while spring and autumn may bring changeable conditions and muddy paths.
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From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloHowdy[haʊdi]
GoodbyeSee ya later[siː jə ˈleɪtər]
YesYup[jʌp]
NoNope[noʊp]
Please/You're welcomeSure thing[ʃʊr θɪŋ]
Thank youThanks a lot[θæŋks ə lɑt]
Excuse me/SorrySorry 'bout that[ˈsɔri baʊt ðæt]
How are you?How's it going?[haʊz ɪt ˈɡoʊɪŋ]
Fine. And you?Good. And you?[ɡʊd ənd juː]
Do you speak English?Can you talk English?[kæn ju tɔk ˈɪŋɡlɪʃ]
I don't understandI ain't following[aɪ eɪnt ˈfɑloʊɪŋ]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseCan I see the menu?[kæn aɪ si ðə ˈmɛnju]
I don't eat meatI'm a vegetarian[aɪm ə ˌvɛdʒɪˈtɛəriən]
Cheers!Cheers![tʃɪrz]
I would like to pay, pleaseCan I get the check?[kæn aɪ ɡɛt ðə tʃɛk]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Help![hɛlp]
Go away!Get lost![ɡɛt lɔst]
Call the Police!Call the cops![kɔl ðə kɑps]
Call a doctor!Get me a doctor![ɡɛt mi ə ˈdɑktər]
I'm lostI'm turned around[aɪm tɜrnd əˈraʊnd]
I'm illI'm not feeling well[aɪm nɑt ˈfiːlɪŋ wɛl]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...I want to buy...[aɪ wɑnt tə baɪ]
I'm just lookingJust browsing[dʒʌst ˈbraʊzɪŋ]
How much is it?What’s the price?[wʌts ðə praɪs]
That's too expensiveThat's a bit pricey[ðæts ə bɪt ˈpraɪsi]
Can you lower the price?Can you make it cheaper?[kæn ju meɪk ɪt ˈtʃiːpər]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?What time ya got?[wʌt taɪm jə ɡɑt]
It's one o'clockIt's one[ɪts wʌn]
Half past (10)Half past ten[hæf pæst tɛn]
MorningMorning[ˈmɔrnɪŋ]
AfternoonAfternoon[ˌæftərˈnun]
EveningEvening[ˈivnɪŋ]
YesterdayYesterday[ˈjɛstərdeɪ]
TodayToday[təˈdeɪ]
TomorrowTomorrow[təˈmɔroʊ]
1One[wʌn]
2Two[tuː]
3Three[θriː]
4Four[fɔr]
5Five[faɪv]
6Six[sɪks]
7Seven[sɛvən]
8Eight[eɪt]
9Nine[naɪn]
10Ten[tɛn]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Where's the...?[wɛrz ðə]
What's the address?What’s the address?[wʌts ði ˈædrɛs]
Can you show me (on the map)?Can you point it out?[kæn ju pɔɪnt ɪt aʊt]
When's the next (bus)?When's the next bus?[wɛn z ðə nɛkst bʌs]
A ticket (to ....)One ticket to... please[wʌn ˈtɪkɪt tə... pliz]

History of Baraboo Range

Ancient Baraboo Quartzite and the Ice Age

The Baraboo Range is built largely from Baraboo Quartzite, a very old metamorphic rock formed from ancient sandstone and later uplifted, folded and exposed by erosion. Its geological history reaches back more than a billion years, making the range one of Wisconsin’s most important geological landscapes. Much later, glaciers shaped the surrounding lowlands, although the highest quartzite ridges stood above or resisted the full force of glacial erosion. The resulting hills and valleys explain the region’s distinctive scenery and scientific importance.

Ho-Chunk Homeland and Indigenous History

The Baraboo area lies within the historic homeland of the Ho-Chunk, whose communities maintained deep cultural, economic and spiritual connections with the Wisconsin landscape. Rivers, wetlands, oak forests and upland ridges supported travel, hunting, gathering and settlement. During the nineteenth century, United States treaties and forced removals disrupted Ho-Chunk life, although Ho-Chunk people continued to maintain a presence in Wisconsin. Visitors should understand the range not only as a scenic destination but also as part of an enduring Indigenous homeland.

Settlement along the Baraboo River

Euro-American settlement expanded around the Baraboo River during the nineteenth century, with the waterway supporting milling, transport and the growth of Baraboo. The town became the commercial centre of the surrounding farming district, while nearby hills and river valleys influenced roads, industry and settlement patterns. Rail connections later strengthened Baraboo’s links with larger Wisconsin markets. Many of the region’s present-day streets, civic buildings and agricultural landscapes reflect this transition from river-based settlement to a connected small regional city.

The Ringling Brothers and American Circus

Baraboo was the home of the Ringling brothers, who began their circus enterprise in the late nineteenth century. Their organisation ultimately became one of the most influential circus companies in the United States, helping make Baraboo internationally associated with circus history. The business moved beyond the region as it expanded, but its local legacy remains at Circus World, which occupies part of the former winter-quarter site and preserves wagons, buildings and material connected with the American circus tradition.

Conservation of the Baraboo Hills

As agriculture, roads and development changed south-central Wisconsin, the ecological value of the Baraboo Hills became increasingly recognised. Protected lands such as Devil’s Lake State Park and other conservation areas helped safeguard forests, cliffs, wetlands and unusual plant communities. Conservation work in the range reflects a wider twentieth-century shift from seeing hills primarily as sources of timber, stone or recreation to valuing them as interconnected habitats. The landscape today is shaped by both public parks and private conservation initiatives.

Devil’s Lake State Park and Outdoor Recreation

Devil’s Lake State Park was established in the early twentieth century and became a major destination for camping, hiking, swimming and nature study. Its lake, quartzite bluffs and accessible location helped establish the Baraboo Range as one of Wisconsin’s best-known outdoor recreation areas. Trails and overlooks also made the geological structure of the hills visible to a broad public. The park’s continuing popularity has brought investment in facilities while creating an ongoing need to manage traffic, erosion and visitor pressure.

Modern Science and Crane Conservation

The Baraboo area became an important centre for conservation science through the International Crane Foundation, established in 1973 by George Archibald and Ron Sauey. Its work has combined research, habitat protection, education and international efforts to conserve the world’s crane species. The foundation’s headquarters in the Baraboo landscape connects local wetlands and grasslands with conservation issues across several continents. This modern environmental role complements the region’s geological, Indigenous, agricultural and circus histories.

Baraboo Range in Photos

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Evendo - Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Baraboo Range

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Welcome to Baraboo Range, Wisconsin, where breathtaking landscapes meet rich history and vibrant culture. With Evendo, your adventure begins the moment you download our 100% free travel guide app. Whether you're captivated by the stunning views of Devil's Lake State Park or eager to explore the historic Ringling Theatre, Evendo has you covered.

Our app offers curated insights into all must-see attractions, from the International Crane Foundation to the Circus World Museum. For those seeking culinary delights, Evendo provides recommendations on the best local dining spots, like the Driftless Glen Distillery and Baraboo Burger Company, ensuring you savor every moment of your visit.

Planning your trip is effortless with Evendo’s comprehensive coverage of hotels, tours, and activities. Easily book your stay, reserve tickets for guided tours, or find unique experiences like kayaking on the Baraboo River, all from one convenient platform. With features like the 'Near Me' option, you can discover nearby gems and hidden treasures, no matter where you roam.

Evendo isn't just a guide; it's your personal companion in the Baraboo Range, providing detailed maps, local tips, and essential travel information. Dive into the stories of the land, navigate with ease, and experience Baraboo like a local. Start your journey today by downloading Evendo and unlock the full potential of your Baraboo adventure.

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