Once the temperatures dip and the snow begins to fly, visitors flock to Wisconsin Dells — the classic vacationland about three hours from the Twin Cities — to enjoy its wealth of indoor waterparks. That's not surprising, as the parks feature both thrilling and relaxing rides, all wrapped in a balmy atmosphere.
Yet there are so many other ways to enjoy the Dells in winter. Here are six such prime activities, inspired by my recently published book "100 Things to Do in Wisconsin Dells Before You Die."
P.S.: Only one requires a bathing suit.
Zip through the snow
If you think flying down a waterslide is exciting, try a winter zip instead. Bigfoot Zipline's 2.5-hour adventure will have you gliding over snow-covered red pines and white oaks, plus frozen Sasquatch Lake. The attraction features seven towers and seven lines, two of which are double lines for racing.
Vertical Illusions' winter zipline operation is located at its private Chimney Rock Park, home to central Wisconsin's highest castellated mound (translation: an isolated tower of Cambrian sandstone). After trekking up to the summit of Chimney Rock, where inspiring views await, you'll zip through a dense, scenic forest and over a canyon.
Hike, ski or snowshoe at a state park
Three state parks ring the Dells — Devil's Lake, Mirror Lake and Rocky Arbor — and all offer a variety of ways to enjoy winter. Devil's Lake is Wisconsin's most popular state park, and visitors are welcome to hike, cross-country ski and snowshoe anywhere in the park. The park doesn't rent skis, but its Nature Center lets visitors borrow snowshoes on a first-come, first-served basis. Take care exploring the park's ancient, towering bluffs, which often require clambering over slippery rocks.
Mirror Lake grooms more than 17 miles of cross-country skiing trails. The trails that aren't groomed are open for snowshoeing. Winter camping is available, too. Rocky Arbor, a compact park just northwest of downtown Dells, contains a mile of trail that unspools along a wetland, then climbs a rocky ledge. All three parks contain the impressive rock formations that made the Dells famous.
Tour the Seth Peterson Cottage
Tucked into Mirror Lake State Park, the Seth Peterson Cottage was one of the last houses designed by famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright, in 1958. It was also the first Wright-designed house available for overnight stays. You likely won't be able to stay in the one-bedroom cottage this winter, as it's typically booked a year or two out. They're now taking reservations for 2026. But it's open for public tours on the second Sunday of every month from 1 to 4 p.m. The docents are very knowledgeable, and it's a pretty walk from the parking area to the cottage.
