Summer like a local in Sauk County

Sauk County, Wisconsin, is a destination prime for discovery — and mild, beautiful summers make this season one of the best times to visit. While many flock here for our famous waterparks — you may be familiar with Wisconsin Dells, “The Waterpark Capital of the World!” — the region offers countless ways to turn your stay into a one-of-a-kind vacation. The wonders are both land made (expansive state parks and other natural areas are just the beginning) and man made (think: unique architectural finds, an award-winning winery and plentiful shopping and dining). As you plan your visit, be sure to add these local treasures to your itinerary.

From circuses to a sacred site — explore them all

In Baraboo, the Circus World Museum — once the winter home of the famed Ringling Bros. Circus — brings to life the fantastical world of traveling circuses. Don’t miss the museum’s annual Big Top summer show, which includes trapeze artists, motorcycles on the high wire and world-class jugglers. The museum also boasts the world’s largest collection of restored circus wagons and seven National Historic Landmark structures on its 64-acre property. In keeping with the circus theme, the nearby A.L Ringling Mansion is open for guided tours — or you can stay overnight at the opulent, 20,000-square-foot home. (You might even bear witness to some paranormal activity.)

For more 19th-century history, make the Mid-Continent Railway Museum your next stop. This outdoor, living museum in North Freedom recreates the way of life during the Golden Age of Railroading — when the train station was the center of every small town. See operating trains, educational exhibits and restored rolling stock at this hidden gem.

Step even further back in time at Man Mound County Park, a National Historic Landmark northeast of Baraboo. The land features North America’s only remaining effigy mound in the shape of a human being. Probably built around 1,000 years ago by indigenous people, the structure likely served spiritual, ceremonial or territorial purposes.

Hit the trails and hike Sauk County

Sauk County is home to four state parks and one county park, and White Mound County Park is a great option for a day of hiking. With miles of trails winding through the 1,100-acre park, visitors can walk through wooded areas, observe wildlife and enjoy views of White Mound Lake. If the water beckons, rent a paddleboard, kayak, canoe or pedal boat at the park office; you can also cast a line for largemouth bass, northern pike and catfish from the fishing pier before heading to a picnic area or a hammock station. White Mound County Park offers a campground and horse trails (BYOH — bring your own horse) that are open from May through November. Like all of Sauk County, this is land made for exploring. 

Rev your engine for an off-road adventure

If you’re an ATV/UTV enthusiast, summer is prime time for an all-terrain adventure. While Wisconsin’s state parks don’t allow ATV traffic, there are plenty of other trails and areas where these vehicles are allowed. The Joint County ATV Council even created a map of ATV routes throughout Sauk County — and Baraboo, Wisconsin Dells, Reedsburg, Prairie du Sac and Sauk City allow ATVs on all streets. 

Catch a play, see a mural, live the culture

Take in a play under the stars at American Players Theatre. It’s pretty much the opposite of the hustle and bustle of Broadway: This Spring Green delight sits on 110 scenic acres filled with wildflowers and diverse creatures, and patrons enjoy picnicking on the grounds before the shows. Bring your own fare and claim a gas grill, or order from Hubbard Avenue Diner’s picnic menu; on certain Sundays during the summer, Wisconsin’s famous Fat Jack’s will barbecue for you. Head to one of two venues on the site — the appropriately named Hill Theatre amphitheater or the climate-controlled Touchstone Theatre — for everything from Shakespearean classics to contemporary performances.

Visual art enthusiasts shouldn’t miss the Painted Forest. In the late 19th century, a self-taught German painter living in southern Wisconsin often exchanged paintings for lodging and meals, and the Sauk County hamlet of Valton is home to one of Ernest Hupeden’s most important works. He covered every inch of a building’s interior, including the arched ceiling, with a panoramic mural. It took Hupeden two years to complete.

Sip and sample at local wineries and breweries

Toast to new experiences at Sauk County’s many wineries and breweries. The beautiful, rolling hills that surround Wollersheim Winery & Distillery in Prairie du Sac make an idyllic setting for the tasting of wine or fine spirits. You can also take a tour of the winery, the vineyards or the distillery. For casual fun, dine at Sauk Prairie Vintage Brewing Co. — the beer garden is the perfect spot on a warm, breezy day. (Added bonus: Canine companions are welcome at the beer garden.) 

Shop the markets, meet the makers

Open on Wednesdays and Sundays, May to October, the Baraboo Farmers Market offers a plethora of shopping in an open-air setting. In addition to fresh produce, you’ll find award-winning maple syrup, beautiful flowers and plants, tasty baked goods and so much more. It’s just one of the markets you can peruse in downtown Baraboo, which also hosts the Sunday Market. Head to the courthouse lawn to browse dozens of vendors selling handmade goods, antiques and vintage collectibles the last Sunday of the month from May through October. You can also catch live musicians and other acts, and enjoy local foods at this summer staple.

Treasure hunt through vintage finds

Won’t be in town for the Sunday Market? You can still shop antiques and vintage items in a special collection of boutiques along Oak Street in downtown Baraboo. Once you’ve wandered through Oak Street Antiques, The Eye of the Beholder and The Time Capsule, pull up a chair at one of the many locally owned restaurants that line the city’s main street. 

For more blasts from the past, make your way to the Wisconsin Dells Craft & Antique Mall. Boasting more than 500 vendors, it offers a mix of antique and vintage treasures alongside goods made by local artists.

Hit up a hometown festival

Sauk County is home to some of Wisconsin’s most-loved festivals and events. The Sauk County Fair is held each summer in Baraboo (check it out July 7-13, 2025). Entry at the gate is free, and the event includes carnival rides, livestock contests and mouthwatering foods.

If you’re a butter enthusiast — and let’s be real, who isn’t? — make plans to attend the Reedsburg Butterfest. The festival (June 18-22, 2025) will crown a Butterfest King and Queen and launch into several days of butter-themed activities. On Family Farm Fun Night, the event’s youngest visitors can greet animals at a petting zoo, enter a pie baking contest and learn to make their own butter. There will also be plenty of food, a beer garden, live music, a carnival and “Run for the Butter,” which includes a run for kids, a 10K race and a 2-mile walk.

For a Labor Day weekend trip, roll up your sleeves to take part in a Sauk County original: the Wisconsin State Cow Chip Throw in Prairie du Sac. Think of it like the Olympics of manure, with chip chucking (no gloves allowed), plus a 5K and a 10K race, food (far removed from the cow chips) and even a farmers market.