Mother Nature’s most resonant contribution to Wisconsin Dells remains the Wisconsin River, which cuts a five-mile swath through cliffs and canyons of ancient sandstone. During the last ice age, about 15,000 years ago, a melting glacier flooded the area and carved deep, narrow gorges and formations into the rock. Some of the surviving cliffs rise over 100 feet and are closed to the public for protection.
You haven’t seen the Dells until you’ve taken a water tour of this unique scenery built by nature’s hand. Transportation can include everything from river boats to paddle-wheelers, kayaks, jet boats, and World War II amphibious vehicles known as Ducks.
Following are a few of the top options for planners wishing to give groups a unique experience of the Wisconsin River.
Dells Boat Tours cruises its double-decker boats underneath the towering cliffs and around the rocky islands. Tours last one or two hours and can accommodate groups of from 20 to 275 people. Luncheon and sunset dinner cruises are also available. For classroom outings, guided tours are designed to explain the rich geology and history behind the captivating rock formations.
Another way to experience the river is a white-knuckled thrill ride aboard a souped-up jet boat, performing sudden stops and 350-degree spins. Dells Boat Tours offers a 700-horsepower voyage along the river’s surface at 40 mph. Groups of up to 40 people can be accommodated.
Not to be outdone, The Original Dells Experience Jet Boats, which dubs itself as the “first Jet Boat Tour in the Midwest” provides a similar pulse-pounding experience, except its boats are propelled by 1,200-horsepower engines.
Princess Kay Riverboat Tours takes up to 150 passengers on an authentic paddle-wheeler boat up and down the Wisconsin River in style. Cruises range from breakfast excursions to ice cream socials, cocktail cruises or sunset jaunts. Private charters and meal packages can be arranged.
The Dells’ most unique river tours come courtesy of World War II. Wisconsin Duck Tours has restored the nation’s largest fleet of military amphibious vehicles, known as Ducks, derived from the acronym DUKWs. (D stands for 1942, the year of production; U indicates it is an amphibious utility vehicle; K represents front-wheel drive; and W signifies twin, rear-driving axles.)
The company conducts one-hour Duck tours by both water and land. While in the water, Duck tours explore the exhilarating topography of the Wisconsin River. And on land, the six-wheel-drive Duck can navigate beaches and plunge into thick wooded trails throughout the Dells.
Each tour covers 8.5 miles in one hour, with a capacity for 21 people per tour. The tours run from mid-March through early November, depending on the weather.
For More Info
Dells Boat Tours 608.254.8555
www.dellsboats.com
Princess Kay Riverboat Tours 608.254.7193
www.princesskay.com
The Original Dells Experience Jet Boats 608.254.8246
www.dellsjetboats.com
Wisconsin Duck Tours 608.254.8751
www.wisconsinducktours.com
