Cabins near Baraboo, Wisconsin provide convenient access to the Baraboo Hills, a range of ancient quartzite formations dating back 1.6 billion years. The area's climate features warm summers with average highs around 80°F and cold winters that typically see temperatures drop below freezing. Cabin rentals in this region often fill quickly during peak leaf-changing season in early October when the hardwood forests display vibrant autumn colors.
What to do
Kayaking on Mirror Lake: Mirror Lake State Park features calm waters ideal for paddling, with sandstone cliffs creating scenic views. "The lake is great for kayaking. Lots of sandstone cliffs. We only did 2 hiking trails but they were well maintained," notes a visitor to Sandstone Ridge Campground — Mirror Lake State Park.
Hiking at Devil's Lake: Located minutes from several cabin rentals, Devil's Lake offers challenging trails with rock formations. A camper staying at Skillet Creek Campground remarked, "This was such an incredible experience, and the campground is really close to everything... especially since it's a very quick drive to Devil's Lake, and the area it's in (Baraboo) is really adorable with plenty of things to do."
International Crane Foundation: This unique wildlife center showcases all crane species. "We went to the crane foundation that was nice, beautiful birds they are," shared a visitor staying at Fox Hill RV Park who enjoyed the educational exhibits focusing on crane conservation efforts.
What campers like
Spacious, wooded sites: Many cabins are situated on generously sized campsites with natural screening. A guest at Cliffwood Campground — Mirror Lake State Park reported, "We have a big private site #138 it's in the Cliffwood loop at the end where the circle is. We had electric, picnic table, (you have to fill your camper with water after you enter there's many hoses) we had a fire pit and a private trail behind the campsite that leads to a view of the lake."
Well-maintained facilities: Cabin campers appreciate the clean amenities at campgrounds. "The bathrooms were nice for what I saw of them. I just wish the bathrooms were warmer as they were not much warmer than outside," noted a visitor to Sandstone Ridge Campground.
Proximity to attractions: Cabins offer a quieter alternative to staying directly in Wisconsin Dells. One camper at Wisconsin Dells KOA appreciated that it's "about a mile and a half down a side road off one of the main routes in the area," providing convenient access to attractions while maintaining distance from tourist crowds.
What you should know
Reservation timing: Book well ahead for cabin stays, particularly for summer weekends. A camper at Baraboo RV Resort by Rjourney shared their frustration when planning wasn't perfect: "I called to reserve two sites months ago for Memorial Day weekend, asking specifically for adjoining sites... Today I called to confirm the reservation and find out the site numbers and it turns out we are clear across the park from each other."
Highway noise: Some cabins experience traffic sounds due to proximity to major roads. "Beautiful facility but the traffic noise was atrocious," noted one camper staying at Cliffwood Campground. Similarly, another visitor mentioned, "Freeway noise is very prominent, especially at night."
Wildlife encounters: Prepare for local wildlife visiting cabin areas. "The raccoons were brutal. They broke into our crates twice. Smart enough to figure out the clip mechanism," warned a visitor to Sandstone Ridge Campground. Secure food items and use available storage options.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Cabin camping offers families more structured activities than tent camping. At Merry Mac's Campground, a visitor noted, "Plenty of things to do here to keep the kids engaged and busy very clean Campground the campsites are well-kept swimming Pond was clean and plenty of fun things to climb on and slide down."
Cabin selection for groups: When booking multiple cabins for extended families, request specific arrangements. "Some loops have group sites where you book 2 sites that are connected. Great for 2 families that want to share common space for kids," recommended a camper at Sandstone Ridge Campground.
Indoor alternatives: Bring indoor activities for unpredictable weather. "We ended up cutting our trip short because we weren't prepared for the weather and rain (we had a 4 month old and it was our first ever camping trip). We will be back again for sure!" shared one camper at Sandstone Ridge who learned this lesson firsthand.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: RV sites at some campgrounds require preparation. A Fox Hill visitor noted, "Our site was very unlevel side to side. It took two 2x6 and a 1x6 under the camp side to be level. That made the first step into the coach, and last step out of the coach extremely high off the ground."
Utility placement: Check utility locations when selecting cabin accommodations. As one camper at Fox Hill RV Park observed, "Water pressure was good, no power issues and the sewer connection was clean and accessible," though they warned some sites might have hookups positioned awkwardly.
Off-season considerations: Rental cabins near Baraboo offer varying seasonal availability. A Wisconsin Dells KOA visitor mentioned, "Stayed here on the way home from Yellowstone. Really frustrating to navigate, but all the good more private spots are in the back," suggesting that shoulder season stays might offer better options but require more planning.
