Witches Gulch
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Rock FormationCanyonBoatingHiking TrailFamilyOutdoorPhoto SpotMust-See
Overview
Accessible exclusively via the iconic Upper Dells boat tours, Witches Gulch is a spectacular, narrow canyon carved into the sandstone bedrock by ancient glacial waters. Visitors walk along a beautiful wooden boardwalk built over a rushing stream, winding through deep vertical moss-covered rock walls where the sun rarely shines. It offers a cool, eerie, and incredibly beautiful natural environment that feels like another planet.
Practical Info
Suggested Duration1.5-2.5 hours
Best TimeThis is a stunning, heavily secluded moss-covered slot canyon accessible exclusively via localized excursion boats from May to October. The ultimate window is a bright summer midday between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM; this is the only time the high-angle sun penetrates the towering, narrow sandstone canyon walls to light up the wooden boardwalks below.
Getting ThereCompletely inaccessible via public highways, driving, or independent hiking due to canyon protection laws. The exclusive method of transport is via the official Upper Dells Boat Tour operated by Dells Boat Tours. Board the vessel at the downtown docks located at 11 Broadway; the boat docks mid-river, allowing guests to disembark for an exclusive 25-minute boardwalk walk.
Travel Tips
- This moss-covered slot canyon is entirely landlocked by private preserves and cliff barriers with zero public road ingress or overland footpaths. The solitary legal method to step inside is booking an Upper Dells Boat Tour via Dells Boat Tours. Vessels moor at the canyon's wooden canyon dock, granting passengers exclusive land privileges.
- The pedestrian vein deep into the gulch is a narrow wooden boardwalk cantilevered over a creek bed. The path narrows to single-file tolerances and incorporates historic steep rock steps; it is 100% non-accessible for baby strollers, wagons, or wheelchairs. Parents must employ structural front chest-harness wraps.
- Because the sheer sandstone walls blot out solar pathing, the canyon interior stays 10-15°F colder than the open river docks, accented by continuous ceiling spring-water dripping. Pack windproof water-resistant shells for protection. The intense microclimate humidity can damage technical camera lenses; secure electronics in dry pouches.
Reviews
Positive
- A surreal canyon wonder with maxed-out visual art impact! Towering, moss-draped limestone cliffs are tight and narrow, creating a breathtaking vista.
- The suspended wooden boardwalk built snugly between the cliff clefts is highly unique and fun, providing an elite trekking experience over bubbling brooks.
- As a core hop-off stop on the Wisconsin Dells boat tour, crowd movement is orderly, routing is fluid, and safety enforcement is highly compliant.
- Completely escaping the noisy commercialism of the main Dells strip, it preserves natural merit perfectly, a holy grail for photo enthusiasts and quiet-seekers.
Heads up
- The gulch is a fully private tract; visitors cannot drive or walk here independently and must buy a pricey commercial Wisconsin Dells boat tour pass to enter.
- The boardwalk turns slick post-rain. Because the slot canyon is tight and low-ceilinged with poor ventilation, peak summer crowds can feel humid and muggy.
- Due to its primitive traits, the narrow trail lacks public restrooms, bins, or shade kiosks, and cellular phones lose all mobile signal throughout the walk.
- During busy summer afternoons, the narrow single-file boardwalk suffers from slow foot traffic if individuals stop to take photos, gridlocking queues behind.