Wisconsin Dells Group Trip from Chicago: Water Parks, Boat Tours and State Parks by Van

Few weekend trips work as well for a big Chicago group as Wisconsin Dells. It is close enough to leave on a Friday afternoon, it has water parks that run in July and in January, and it mixes the slides with river boat tours, sandstone cliffs and two of the best-loved state parks in Wisconsin. Families, church and youth groups, and friends planning a getaway all find something to do here.

The easiest way to get everyone there together is one self-drive van. Here is how to plan the trip, what to see, where to stop on the way, and which van fits your group.

Quick facts

• Drive time: about 3 to 3.5 hours from Chicago (roughly 195 miles), mostly on I-90 and I-90/94 through Rockford and past Madison.
• Best season: all year. Summer brings the outdoor water parks and boat tours; fall to spring is indoor water park season.
• Which van fits: a 15-passenger Mercedes Sprinter for 12 to 15 people with suitcases; a 12-passenger van for mid-size groups; the 7-passenger minivan for one family.
• Miles: every rental day includes 250 free miles, pooled across the rental, so a two-day rental already covers 500 miles.

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Why Wisconsin Dells works for groups

Wisconsin Dells calls itself "The Waterpark Capital of the World," and the local tourism board says the area has more than 200 waterslides. The city of Wisconsin Dells and the neighboring village of Lake Delton sit side by side, so the resorts, attractions and restaurants are close together. Once you arrive, most drives are short.

It suits every age: splash zones for little kids, big slides for teens, and boat rides or lakeside walks for grandparents.

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The water parks: indoor all year, outdoor in summer

The big draw is the water parks, and the indoor ones are what turn the Dells into a winter trip. According to the Wisconsin Dells Visitor and Convention Bureau, the indoor parks keep their temperature in the 80-degree range, so you can trade a gray Chicago weekend for swimsuits.

Indoor and year-round options

• Kalahari Resort: home to what the tourism board calls Wisconsin's largest indoor waterpark, plus an outdoor waterpark.
• Wilderness Resort: billed as America's largest indoor/outdoor waterpark resort, with four indoor and four outdoor waterparks.
• Great Wolf Lodge: a 76,000-square-foot indoor waterpark kept at about 84 degrees year-round, popular with families of younger kids.

Outdoor parks for summer

• Noah's Ark Waterpark: promoted as America's largest outdoor waterpark, spread over about 70 acres. It is a summer park; in 2026 it ran from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Check the next season's dates before you go.
• Mt. Olympus Water and Theme Park: water and theme park rides in Lake Delton, easy to spot by its giant Trojan Horse.

Ask each resort whether its waterpark comes with your room or sells day passes. Hours and prices change by season, so check each park's own website before you go, especially for a large group.

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Beyond the slides: boat tours and Lake Delton

The Dells are named for the sandstone formations along the Wisconsin River, and seeing them from the water is a must.

• Dells Boat Tours: the Upper Dells tour leaves from downtown Wisconsin Dells and makes shore stops at Witches Gulch, a narrow, fern-lined canyon, and Stand Rock, a tall sandstone pillar. The operator runs from April through October and does not require reservations, but schedules vary, so call ahead.
• Original Wisconsin Ducks: a one-hour ride on WWII-era amphibious vehicles that runs on land trails through the woods, then splashes into the Wisconsin River and Lake Delton. The operator lists a season of about mid-March to mid-November; check before you go.
• Lake Delton: a dammed lake of roughly 267 acres in the village of the same name, where many of the big attractions sit. It is a good spot for a slower afternoon by the water.

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State parks: Mirror Lake and Devil's Lake

If your group wants fresh air between swim sessions, two state parks are close by. Both are open year-round, and both require a Wisconsin vehicle admission sticker (sold per vehicle; ask the park office which rate applies to a 12 or 15-passenger van).

Mirror Lake State Park

Just off I-90/94 south of Wisconsin Dells, Mirror Lake State Park covers about 2,200 acres around a narrow lake with cliffs up to 50 feet high. It has trails for hiking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, a campground, and watercraft rentals near the boat ramp in summer. The park is also home to the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Seth Peterson Cottage.

Devil's Lake State Park

Near Baraboo, Devil's Lake has 500-foot quartzite bluffs above a 360-acre lake, nearly 30 miles of hiking trails, swimming beaches and picnic areas. It is one of Wisconsin's busiest state parks, so arrive early on summer weekends. Pick trails that match your group; the bluff climbs are steep and rocky.

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Stops worth making on the way

A stop breaks up the drive for kids and gives drivers a chance to switch.

• Madison and the Wisconsin State Capitol: a short detour off I-90/94. Free guided tours run daily and last about 45 to 50 minutes. Groups of 10 or more should reserve ahead, and the observation deck is open in season (mid-April through December). Check the tour schedule before you go.
• Devil's Lake or Mirror Lake: on the way in or out, either park makes a good leg-stretch and picnic stop, since both are just south of the Dells.

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How to plan a weekend with a large group

1. Book rooms early. Suites and condos that sleep six or more go fast on summer weekends and school breaks.
2. Confirm what your room includes. Ask whether waterpark access comes with the room and how many passes you get per room.
3. Plan one big activity a day. A waterpark day plus a boat tour or a park hike is plenty; leave time for meals and rest.
4. Call ahead for meals. Restaurants can seat a group of 12 or 15 much faster with a heads-up.
5. Ask about parking. Tell your hotel you are arriving in a full-size passenger van, and ask about height clearance if parking is in a garage.
6. Check the weather and roads in winter. Wisconsin's official 511 service shows road conditions on I-90/94 before you leave.

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Which van for your group

All of our vans are self-drive. You pick up at our Melrose Park location (3217 W Lake St, about 13 minutes from O'Hare) or our Berwyn location (6825 Ogden Ave, about 13 minutes from Midway), open 7 days a week, 8 AM to 5 PM. Compare every van on our rental fleet page.

• 12 to 15 people with suitcases: the 15-passenger Mercedes Sprinter has about 4 feet of space behind the last row. This is the van we recommend for 15 people with luggage.
• 12 people: the Mercedes Sprinter 12 or the Ford Transit 12, which has about 3.5 feet behind the last row. See our Sprinter vs Ford Transit comparison.
• Day trip, light bags: the Ford Transit 15 seats 15 but has no space behind the last row, so it suits a group traveling light.
• Something special: our luxury Mercedes Sprinters include the Road Cruiser 10, Golden Chariot 12/15 and Grand Recliner 12/15.
• One family: the 7-passenger minivan, from $50 a day, with about 2 feet of luggage space.

Every Mercedes Sprinter has a 32-inch smart TV, Xbox, DVD/Blu-ray, USB and power, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, which helps the three hours go by. Learn more about our onboard entertainment. The Ford Transits and the minivan have no TV.

Up to 2 additional drivers are free, so you can switch drivers at your Madison stop. Drivers must be 25 or older (21+ with a CDL, a business account or approval). Each rental day includes 250 free miles, pooled across the rental; extra miles are $0.35 each. A round trip from Chicago is roughly 400 miles, so a weekend rental usually leaves room for local driving. For other details, see our rental policy.

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FAQ

How long is the drive from Chicago to Wisconsin Dells?

About 3 to 3.5 hours, or roughly 195 miles, depending on traffic and where you start. Most of the drive is on I-90 and I-90/94.

Are the Wisconsin Dells water parks open in winter?

The indoor water parks, such as those at Great Wolf Lodge, Kalahari and Wilderness, operate in winter. Outdoor parks like Noah's Ark are summer only. Check each park's hours before you go.

Which van fits 15 people and their luggage?

The 15-passenger Mercedes Sprinter. It has about 4 feet of space behind the last row, while the Ford Transit 15 has none.

Are the free miles enough for a weekend trip?

Usually, yes. Each rental day includes 250 free miles, pooled across the rental, so a two-day rental covers 500 miles. Extra miles are $0.35 each.