Sauk County is located northwest of Dane County.  It is named for the Sauk Indians.  Its southern border is along the Wisconsin River, where eagle watching is a favorite pastime, and thus Sauk is known as the county "Where Eagles Soar."  The popular tourist attraction, the Wisconsin Dells, is found on its northeastern border, just across the river.  With its numerous natural, cultural, and historical attractions, Sauk County has been named the second largest tourist attraction county in Wisconsin.  It has also been named one of the top ten rural counties in the United States.  The southeastern corner of the county is 25 miles from Madison along HWY12.  The Sauk County government website has information on county services and governmental departments, zoning information, current events, and news.  See the WisconsinOnLine site for more Sauk County facts, contact information, and links to local attractions.
 
Southeast Sauk County Communities:

  BARABOO-  Baraboo has twice been named one of the 100 best small towns in the US.  It combines historical charm and small  town hospitality among the scenic beauty of the Baraboo cliffs.  Now with over 10,000 residents, it began in 1866, when the lumber industry thrived along the Baraboo River.  It is located 40 miles northwest of Madison, along HWY 12.  The Baraboo Chamber of Commerce website has a lot of information for those thinking of moving to the area under their "Community" section.  Baraboo has many well known nearby attractions.  See below for information on the Circus World Musuem, Devil's Lake State Park, the International Crane Foundation, and others.  For information on the historic downtown area, centered around the Courthouse Square, with a variety of quaint shops, cafes, and restaurants, and the fabously restored Al Ringling Theatre, see DowntownBaraboo.com.  Also see BarabooNow.com for a comprehensive visitor's guide.  For more information on local history, see the Sauk County Historical Society, which is housed in the Jacob Van Orden Mansion, a remarkably preserved home built in 1902.

  REEDSBURG-   Located 60 miles from Madison, Reedsburg is named after David Reed, who purchased 200 acres of land in 1847 that would later become Reedsburg.  Pioneers settled in the area because the Baraboo River was narrow and more easily crosed at this location.  Currently, Reedsburg boasts a thriving economy.  The community provides a home to over 30 industrial firms and works to provide services to support their workers.  See the Reedsburg website for information about area attractions, including the Pioneer Log Village and Museum, with restored & furnished log buildings from the 1800s, and the 400 Trail, a rails to trails bike trail that begins in downtown Reedsburg and parallels the Baraboo River.  The site also includes comprehensive information for those thinking of moving to the area.  For information on local schools, see the Reedsburg School District.   See the Reedsburg Public Library site for information on the library and downloadable audio books.

  SAUK CITY & PRAIRIE DU SAC-  These two continguous villages are known collectively as Sauk Prairie.  They are located together on the edge of the Wisconsin River where there is a scenic pedestrian riverwalk.  Sauk Prairie is also known for its Eagle Watching Days held each January along the river.  The nearby dam keeps ice from forming in the water, and eagles congregate there each Winter to feed on the fish.  Gather on a cold day to experience the rare sight of an easily viewed group of eagles of all ages.  Learn about eagle preservation and perhaps see a rehabilited eagle being released back into the wild.  Then go out for a hot meal.  See the Ferry Blue Eagle Council website for more information on eagle related events and eagle identification and preservation.   Sauk Prairie is also known for its annual quirky Wisconsin Cow Chip Throw festival held in September.  Cow chips were a necessary and life sustaining fuel for early settlers, and cow chip throwing became a sport in their remembrance.  The cow chip was declared the unofficial state muffin in 1989.  The River Arts Center was established in 2000 near downtown as a comprehensive cultural center that includes a gallery and theatre.  See the Sauk Prairie Chamber of Commerce website for a relocation packet, a business and restaurant guide, and community information such as local events, recreational activities, local historical museums, and arts and cultural information.  The  Village of Sauk City site offers information on local parks, municiple information on local utilities, recycling, local services and local ordinances.  The Village of Prairie du Sac site has links to local fire and police departments and the Prairie du Sac Library.  Sauk-Prairie.com is a site run by a resident with local news, sports, events, weather, and free classifieds.  See also the Sauk Prairie School District and the Sauk City Public Library.  For details on local  history and some area museums, see the Sauk Prairie Area Historical Society.    

  River Valley School District -  This school district is comprised of 13 townships and four villages (Arena, Lone Rock, Plain, and Spring Green) located in four different counties (Sauk, Iowa, Richland, and Dane)

Sauk County Attractions:

 Circus World Museum- Located in Baraboo, the museum's purpose is to encourage an appreciation of the role of the circus in American life.  It includes live circus performances in the Summer season.  Visitors can see the Ringling Bros. Circus Winter quarters, restored circus wagons, clown exhibits, circus costumes, and more.

 Devil's Lake State Park- A very popular weekend getaway, Devil's Lake State Park is located about 2 miles south of Baraboo and 30 miles from Madison.  With over 9000 acres that include a lake, scenic bluffs with walking trails, picnick areas, camping, fishing, scuba diving, rock climbing, and more, this park receives more visitors than any other state park in Wisconsin.  See the Devil's Lake State Park Visitor's Guide for more details on enjoying the area.

 Parfray's Glen-  Located within Devil's Lake State Park,  the Glen was Wisconsin's first State Natural Area, designated as such in 1952.  The Glen is a beautiful, moss covered rocky gorge with a stream running down its center.  It harbors several rare species of plants, birds, and insects.

 Merrimac Ferry-  Enjoy a peaceful ferry ride across the Wisconsin River at Merrimac along HWY 113, linking Sauk and Columbia Counties.  Began in 1844, the ferry is on the National Register of Historic Places.  The current ferry can carry 12 vehicles at a time and is operated free of charge by the State of Wisconsin.  In its 32 year history, the ferry  has carried over 5 million vehicles.

 Museum of Norman Rockwell Art-  Located in Reedsburg, the museum houses over 4000 orginal works by the much loved American artist, including his commissioned illustrations of American family life, as well as some of his more rare uncommissioned works.

  Spring Green Area-  Spring Green is just across the northeast Iowa County border in Sauk County.  Its world class attractions are enjoyed by residents of both counties and the entire region, including the American Players Theatre, offering Shakespeare and other plays in an outdoor theatre,  The House on the Rock, perched on a 60 foot chimney of rock, and Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin.  The Spring Green Area website offers comprehensive information on the area's many attractions.

 International Crane Foundation- Located near Baraboo, the ICF works internationally to preserve habit and encourage the preservation of all crane species.  It has successfully bred all 15 species in captivity, and works to return captive cranes to the wild.  It is involved with the reestablishment of whooping cranes by teaching them migration patterns between Wisconsin and Florida with the use of an ultralight airplane.  ICF is open to visitors, who can view the crane population and learn about the organization's efforts to protect them.

Mid-Continent Railway Museum- Located between Reedsburg and Baraboo, in North Freedom, this museum was established in 1963 and celebrates the golden age of railroading,  from 1880-1916.  It offers exhibits and operating, restored steam and deisel trains on which passengers can take a 50 minute scenic ride through the Baraboo hills.  Autumn color tours are available with meals served in the dining cart, as well as December Holiday trips that include a visit from Santa.

Wisconsin River-  The magnificent Wisconsin River runs along the southeast border of Sauk County.  From the last dam at Sauk Prairie to the Missippi River, it free flows at a leisurely pace for over 92 uninterrupted miles, making it great for canoeing, fishing, swimming, and relaxing.  See the Spring Green Area website for a listing of Wisconsin Riverway Attractions under "Recreation," including parks and canoe rental information.  Tower Hill State Park is located along HWY 23 near Spring Green, with panoramic views, camping, fishing and canoeing along the River.  See Wisconsin State Parks for details.

 Wisconsin Dells Visitor and Convention Bureau- Located along Sauk County's northeastern border, just across the Wisconsin river.  Known for its water and amusement parks, scenic river boat tours, live shows, and family fun, this popular tourist destination attracts visitors from across the country.

Ho-Chunk Casino- Wisconsin's largest casino, located near Baraboo.


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