“double double toil and trouble...”
Only accessible via the Upper Dells Boat Tour you’ll find Witches Gulch, a stunning narrow canyon full of nature and located in the Dells of the Wisconsin River State Natural Area. It’s no secret that Wisconsin Dells is the Waterpark Capital of the World. However, throughout the area there’s no shortage of amazing picturesque scenery waiting for you. Check it out on your next trip!
Be advised that visitors to Witches Gulch may no longer (as of 2016) gain access by land as has been the case in the past. Visitors must take the Upper Dells boat tour operated by Dells Boat Tours LLC (NOT the jet boat tour or the PT109 boat tour, neither of which stop at Witches Gulch). The Upper Dells tour is worth taking. Also, for clarification, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources does own Witches Gulch, but the area is leased to Dells Boat Tours and they are within their right to restrict access to the site. This lease arrangement was a condition of the sale of the larger Dells of the Wisconsin River State Natural Area property to the DNR by the previous landowner, the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation which owns Dells Boat Tours.
We also just tried to drive to the gultch, but the road is closed with a gate. You must take a boat tour, which doesn't fit into our road trip time.
Was gated closed with private property sign up.
I tried to visit witches gulch by hiking in. The road access is now closed. When I arrived to the concessions stand I was told the only way in way by paying the high price for a WI dells boat tour. I was then very rudely instructed to leave the premises because I was trespassing on private property. This went from a natural beautiful wonder to a greedy tourist money trap. Unless you are willing to pay the price of a boat ticket, deal with rude concession workers, and mingle with heavy crowds as you walk through don't even bother.
What ever you do, don't all the number listed above: The person that answered was extremely rude! He very gruffly stated,"You can only access the gulch from the Upper Dells Tour! Quit calling this number!" He then hung up on me. For someone who has worked in the tourist industry, this fellow should find a new profession.
I love this stop!!! Had no idea until I read this description that you could get to it by road. I thought it was only a stop on the boat tour. :)
If you can stop here, do. It's pet friendly and only $5 a person. It's pretty neat seeing this natural attraction. Can get busy as boat tours stop here and what we didn't realize was that this area (Wisconsin Dells) is a tourist town.
Gated closed. Wanted another natural park experience, not committing the time or money for our family of 4. Would cost nearly $100. Disappointed.
We took the Upper Dells boat tour and it was a lot of fun. Witches gulch was definitely the highlight. Felt like walking thru a fairy land. A very unique place and a nice cool stop on a hot day. The Captain and tour guide were super nice friendly and informative. Well worth it. I would go again.
My family has been going to Witches Gultch for years. I have one family member who is deathly afraid of boats, and up until recently, we were able to drive back - pay the entrance fee and enjoy the walk through the canyon. I read reviews stating that you could not drive there any longer, so I called to ask if we could still drive. I was instructed that we could. So we went, and were met by a rude Witches Gulch Concessions manager that told us we were not allowed in, even though the admission sign was still hanging up. I understand that they need to limit the number of cars in the parking lot, but considering this land is owned by the Wisconsin State DNR, all public should be allowed access - not just those willing to pay a large fee to ride the Upper Dells boat tour. Figure something out to accomodate those who are not able to take the boat. What's up State of Wisconsin? The sign at the Gulch reads that the "No one can own the Dells" - well, apparently that's not true.
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Witches Gulch
Hours
- Sun - Sat: 12:00 am - 11:59 pm
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