Lainek

Your Guide to the World

Baraboo, WI

Baraboo, the "Circus City," is the county seat of Sauk County, Wisconsin. Nestled in the Baraboo Hills, it's the gateway to the stunning Devil's Lake State Park and home to the Circus World Museum.

About the city

Official Status and Administrative Affiliation

The city's full official name is Baraboo . It serves as the county seat of Sauk County, Wisconsin, United States . It is the principal city of the Baraboo micropolitan statistical area, which is part of the larger Madison combined statistical area .

Date of Foundation and Age

The area was first settled by Abe Wood in 1838 and was originally known as the village of Adams . It was renamed "Baraboo" in 1852 after the nearby river. Baraboo was incorporated as a village on April 6, 1866, and later as a city on February 25, 1882 . As of 2026, the city is 160 years old since its first incorporation.

Geographic Position and Coordinates

Baraboo is located in south-central Wisconsin at coordinates 43°28′5″N 89°44′30″W . It lies along the Baraboo River and is nestled within the Baraboo Hills . The city's elevation is approximately 879 feet (268 meters) above sea level .

City Type and Economic Specialization

Historically, Baraboo is renowned as the "Circus City" because it was the original headquarters and winter home of the Ringling Brothers Circus, founded there in 1884 . Today, its economy is a mix of tourism, leveraging its circus history and proximity to natural attractions, alongside education and local industry. It is the home of the Circus World Museum and the International Crane Foundation .

Population and Demographics

As of the 2020 census, the population of Baraboo is 12,556 . It is a small city and the most populous municipality in Sauk County.

"City's Business Card" (Briefly)

Baraboo is where the greatest show on earth began. As the original home of the Ringling Brothers, this charming Wisconsin town invites you to step right up to the Circus World Museum, explore the dramatic quartzite bluffs and pristine lake of Devil's Lake State Park, and discover a unique blend of history and outdoor adventure.

Geography

Mountains and Ranges

The city is situated in the heart of the Baraboo Hills, also known geologically as the Baraboo Range (Baraboo Hills) . This is a mountain range of highly eroded Precambrian quartzite, about 25 miles (40 km) long and 5 to 10 miles (16 km) wide . The range was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1980 . It is an ancient syncline fold, with rocks around 1.7 billion years old, marking the eastern boundary of Wisconsin's Driftless Area .

Water Objects

The city is located along the Baraboo River, which flows through the center of the Baraboo Hills, carving gorges like the Upper and Lower Narrows . Just south of the city lies Devil's Lake, a 360-acre endorheic lake formed by glacial moraines, which is the centerpiece of the state park .

National and Nature Parks

Baraboo is the gateway to several significant natural areas. The crown jewel is Devil's Lake State Park, Wisconsin's largest and most popular state park, featuring 500-foot quartzite bluffs, 29 miles of trails, and a pristine lake . Nearby is Parfrey's Glen, Wisconsin's first State Natural Area, known for its mossy gorge and small waterfall . Other nearby state natural areas include Pewit's Nest, a dramatic gorge on Skillet Creek, and Mirror Lake State Park, known for its calm, reflective waters .

Climate and weather

Climate Type and General Characteristic

Baraboo has a warm-summer humid continental climate (Köppen: Dfb) . This is characterized by warm, sometimes humid summers and cold, dry winters, with significant seasonal temperature variation.

Average Monthly Temperatures

The warmest month is July, with an average daily temperature of 71.5°F (21.9°C) . The coldest month is January, with an average daily temperature of 18.6°F (-7.4°C) .

Precipitation and Humidity

Average annual precipitation is approximately 36.47 inches (926 mm) . The wettest month is typically June, with an average of 5.58 inches (142 mm) of rain, while January and February are the driest months .

Best Time to Visit

The most popular time to visit Baraboo is during the warm summer months (June-August), when the weather is ideal for hiking, swimming, and enjoying the outdoor attractions at Devil's Lake State Park . The fall (September-October) offers spectacular foliage in the Baraboo Hills, making it a beautiful time for scenic drives and photography . Spring (April-May) brings mild temperatures and blooming wildflowers, while winter offers opportunities for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing .

Landmarks

Circus World Museum

Located on the original winter quarters of the Ringling Brothers Circus, Circus World Museum (Circus World Museum) is a living history museum that celebrates the golden age of the circus . It houses the world's largest collection of ornate circus wagons and features live circus performances under the big top during the summer .

Al. Ringling Theatre

Known as "America's Prettiest Playhouse," the Al. Ringling Theatre (Al. Ringling Theatre) is a magnificent French opera house-inspired theater built in 1915 by Al Ringling . It features ornate plasterwork, hand-painted murals, and a grand chandelier, and still hosts live performances and films .

International Crane Foundation

The International Crane Foundation is the only place in the world where you can see all 15 species of cranes . This global conservation center features beautiful nature trails and offers guided tours to learn about their efforts to protect these majestic birds .

Sauk County Courthouse

The Sauk County Courthouse is a stately structure that anchors Baraboo's historic downtown square. It is surrounded by well-preserved 19th-century commercial buildings, creating a classic American small-town atmosphere .

Van Orden Mansion

The Van Orden Mansion is a historic Victorian home, maintained by the Sauk County Historical Society, that offers a glimpse into the life of Baraboo's prosperous citizens in the late 19th century .

Man Mound Park

Man Mound Park preserves a rare anthropomorphic effigy mound—the only remaining one in North America—shaped like a human figure and created by Native Americans approximately 1,000 years ago .

Transportation

Main Airports in the Region

Baraboo does not have a commercial airport. The nearest major airport is Madison Truax Field (MSN), located about 50 km (31 miles) from Baraboo, which offers flights from major airlines . The Baraboo–Wisconsin Dells Airport (KDLL) is a general aviation airport serving the city and surrounding communities for private and corporate aircraft .

Car

The most practical way to reach and explore Baraboo is by car. It is accessible via the Interstate 90/94 corridor, and car rentals are available in Madison and at other regional airports .

Local Cuisine and Culinary Traditions

Driftless Glen Distillery Spirits

Baraboo is home to the renowned Driftless Glen Distillery (Driftless Glen Distillery) , which has gained a reputation for producing exceptional bourbon, rye whiskey, and vodka . The distillery takes full advantage of the region's unique geology—the Driftless Area is rich with peat, bogs, a quality aquifer, and sandy soil, providing the perfect recipe for the grain needed to make exceptional whiskey . They use local grain and water from their own well, giving their spirits a distinctive flavor profile . Visitors can take a guided tour to see the 44-foot-tall column still and a one-of-a-kind pot still, and witness thousands of barrels aging in the rackhouse . The on-site restaurant, situated along the Baraboo River, offers a menu that incorporates their spirits, such as a bourbon barbecue burger with smoked Gouda and Scottish salmon coated with a five-year reserve brandy glaze .

The Ringling Family Original Ale

A truly unique local brew with a fascinating backstory is the Ringling Family Original (Ringling Family Original) , available at the Al. Ringling Brewery . This very light, Prohibition-style ale is crafted from a secret beer recipe that was discovered under the floorboards during the restoration of the historic Al. Ringling Mansion . It offers a direct taste of Baraboo's circus history and is a must-try for anyone visiting.

Balanced Rock Winery

Central Wisconsin has proven to be fertile ground for cold-hardy grape varietals, and Balanced Rock Winery (Balanced Rock Winery) , named after the famous formation at nearby Devil's Lake State Park, showcases this perfectly . Located on a former corn and soybean field, the winery lets visitors reap the rewards in its year-round tasting room. You can sip a 2023 Petite Pearl, the first wine made with partially estate grapes, while enjoying pizza or street tacos. In warmer months, a large outdoor terrace overlooking the Baraboo Bluffs is a popular spot for lounging, often with live music .

Local Farm-to-Table Treats

The area around Baraboo offers unique, farm-fresh flavors. New Life Lavender & Cherry Farm (New Life Lavender & Cherry Farm) , a 40-acre farm just outside of town, is a feast for the senses . Visitors can wind through fields of lavender and wildflowers, and during peak bloom in late July, there are U-pick pop-up events. The rustic farm store sells body lotions and scrubs made on-site with the farm's own lavender essential oils, but the culinary highlight is their signature lavender cherry pie . Similarly, Rowley Creek Lavender Farm (Rowley Creek Lavender Farm) offers strolls through lavender fields and special events, including private picnics featuring lavender-flavored meals .

Wisconsin's Classic Tavern Fare

Baraboo fully embraces the Wisconsin tavern tradition. The recently opened Wiscocktail (Wiscocktail) is a swank cocktail lounge that reinterprets the classics, billing itself as a "love letter to Wisconsin taverns" . Here, you can enjoy a proper Old-Fashioned, crafted with brandy from Wollersheim Press, a Wisconsin staple . For a true taste of the state, Tumbled Rock Brewery (Tumbled Rock Brewery) , near Devil's Lake, offers classic nosh like deep-fried cheese curds alongside their cream ale and maple oatmeal stout .

Museums

Circus World Museum

Baraboo's identity is inextricably linked to the circus, and the Circus World Museum (Circus World Museum) is its crown jewel . Located on the original winter quarters site where the Ringling Bros. Circus was based from 1884 to 1918, this Wisconsin Historic Site and National Historic Landmark is dedicated to preserving the legacy of the American traveling circus. Its most significant collection is the world's largest assemblage of intricately decorated, authentic circus wagons, numbering over 260 . Visitors can explore seven of the original winter quarters buildings in "Ringlingville" and see artifacts ranging from tiny circus flea props to grandiose gilded wagons . During the summer, the museum comes alive with performances in a traditional big-top tent, featuring flying trapeze daredevils and aerial feats .

The Al. Ringling Theatre

More than just a performance venue, the Al. Ringling Theatre (Al. Ringling Theatre) is a historic movie palace and a museum piece in its own right . Opened in November 1915, it has been operating continuously ever since and is a cornerstone of Baraboo's historic downtown, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places . Its lavish interior is a destination for architecture and history buffs.

Local Art Galleries

For those interested in contemporary and local art, Baraboo offers a few intimate spaces. The Schwalbach Gallery (Schwalbach Gallery) is an art gallery located on the campus of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville Baraboo Sauk County, serving as a cultural resource for the community . In the heart of downtown, the Cornerstone Gallery (Cornerstone Gallery) at 101 4th Street provides another space to view and appreciate local artwork .

Nearby: Aldo Leopold Foundation

Just outside of Baraboo, the Aldo Leopold Foundation (Aldo Leopold Foundation) offers a different kind of historical and educational experience . Here, you can tour the original shack used by the famous American environmentalist and author of A Sand County Almanac. The foundation's center and its exhibits, along with 2.5 miles of trails through oak savanna, wetlands, and prairie, provide deep insight into Leopold's conservation ethic.

Nearby: International Crane Foundation

Another world-class attraction in the vicinity is the International Crane Foundation (International Crane Foundation) , the only place in the world where you can see all 15 species of cranes . This global leader in crane conservation offers visitors a chance to learn about these majestic birds and the efforts to protect them.

Sport and Sports Legends

High School Sports

The community of Baraboo rallies around its high school teams. Baraboo High School (Baraboo High School) is the hub for local athletics, with teams competing in the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) . Boys basketball and baseball are particularly popular, with local athletes like Hudson Turner, a former Baraboo High School baseball standout, going on to play at the collegiate level for teams like the UW-Whitewater Warhawks in the NCAA Division III Championship .

Outdoor Sports and Recreation

Baraboo is a premier destination for outdoor sports, largely thanks to its proximity to Devil's Lake State Park (Devil's Lake State Park) , the most popular state park in Wisconsin . The park is a hub for:

Universities and Academic Institutions

University of Wisconsin-Platteville Baraboo Sauk County

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville Baraboo Sauk County (UW-Platteville Baraboo Sauk County) , often called "Boo-U" by locals, was a two-year campus that provided a broad-based liberal arts curriculum . Opened in the fall of 1968, the campus was jointly owned and maintained by Sauk County and the City of Baraboo . It featured facilities like the Lange Student Center, which housed a gymnasium, and the James and Kathryn Hill Music Center, with customized practice rooms . It also hosted the Schwalbach Gallery for fine arts and cultural programming .

Note: It was announced in October 2025 that the UW-Platteville Baraboo Sauk County campus will close on May 22, 2026, due to declining enrollment . While the institution will cease operations, the site remains an important part of the city's recent history and its future is a topic of community discussion.

Healthcare Facilities

SSM Health St. Clare Hospital - Baraboo

Baraboo is served by SSM Health St. Clare Hospital - Baraboo (SSM Health St. Clare Hospital) , a nationally recognized rural healthcare facility . This hospital has been named a Top 100 Rural & Community Hospital by The Chartis Center for Rural Health for five consecutive years, demonstrating its unwavering commitment to delivering high-quality, compassionate care to the community . This recognition is based on a comprehensive assessment of performance across areas impacting hospital operations, quality, and patient perspective.

Baraboo VA Clinic

Veterans in the Baraboo area have access to dedicated care at the Baraboo VA Clinic (Baraboo VA Clinic) , located at 414 State Road 136 . A new clinic at this location was opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, expanding access to outpatient services as part of the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital system in Madison. The Madison VA hospital itself has earned a five-star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, reflecting the high quality of care available to veterans in the region .

Discover new destinations