Overview
Mauston is in Southwest Wisconsin. It is a town of approximately 4,300 people (2020) along the banks of the Lemonweir River and Lake Decorah. It is the county seat of Juneau County and is the approximate halfway point between Minneapolis and Chicago on I-90/I-94.
3 sights · 1 things to do · 2 places to eat · 2 bars & cafés · 1 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Mauston
The Boorman House
A Victorian mansion built by Englishman Benjamin Boorman in 1873, the Boorman House now stands as a historical museum and the headquarters of the Juneau County Historical Society.
Bass Hollow County Recreation Area/State Natural Area
Beautiful out-of-the-way park situated in rolling hills. Offers camping, a shelter/gathering area, a public orchard, and trails for hiking or horseback riding. Heavily populated by ticks. 15 minutes south-southeast by ca…
Buckhorn State Park
Lovely state park along the banks of the Castle Rock Flowage and adjacent to two state wildlife. Offers hiking and camping, a canoe trail, fishing, and a handicapped-accessible cabin. Also close to numerous restaurants o…
Juneau County Fair
Annual county fair featuring animal and vegetable shows, a tractor pull, live music, a PRCA-sanctioned rodeo, and carnival with rides and carnival food.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 82°F; winter lows dip to about 12°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jun and Jul. (climate data from nearby Madison)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- CWA Central Wisconsin Airport, Mosinee — 48 mi away. Directions
- LSE La Crosse Regional Airport, La Crosse — 61 mi away. Directions
- MKE General Mitchell International Airport, Milwaukee — 137 mi away (major hub). Directions
Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning The Boorman House, Juneau County Fair
- Lunch Timmy's Time Out
- Afternoon Bass Hollow County Recreation Area/State Natural Area, Buckhorn State Park
- Dinner Roman Castle
- Evening Collin's Coffees
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Mauston is a small city in south-central Wisconsin. Founded as a logging town, it has long been defined by its position as a central crossroads in the Badger State. Its proximity to public lands and wild areas make it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
Mauston's weather is typical of the Upper Midwest: warm and humid in summer, cold in winter, and temperate spring and fall conditions.
Get in
By plane
By car
- I-90/I-94 runs along the eastern edge of Mauston
- 25 minutes to Wisconsin Dells
- 1 hour 15 minutes to Madison
- 3 hours to Minneapolis
- 3 hours 15 minutes to Chicago
Get around
By car
On-street parking is plentiful and free. Be mindful of restrictions on street parking during certain hours and alternate-side street parking during the winter months.
By taxi
See
History
See The Boorman House
A Victorian mansion built by Englishman Benjamin Boorman in 1873, the Boorman House now stands as a historical museum and the headquarters of the Juneau County Historical Society.
Nature
See Bass Hollow County Recreation Area/State Natural Area
Beautiful out-of-the-way park situated in rolling hills. Offers camping, a shelter/gathering area, a public orchard, and trails for hiking or horseback riding. Heavily populated by ticks. 15 minutes south-southeast by car on US HWY 12 and CTY HWY K.
See Buckhorn State Park
Lovely state park along the banks of the Castle Rock Flowage and adjacent to two state wildlife. Offers hiking and camping, a canoe trail, fishing, and a handicapped-accessible cabin. Also close to numerous restaurants on the banks of the Castle Rock. 20 minutes north-northwest by car on US HWY 58 and CTY HWY G.
Do
Buy
Shop Carr Valley Cheese
One of the premier cheese factories in the United States, Carr Valley produces more than 90 varieties of cheese and is one of the winningest cheese factories in history at national and international cheese competitions. Try the Maustoner variety for extra local flavor.
Eat
Eat Timmy's Time Out
Excellent food typical of bar fare.
Eat Roman Castle
Italian restaurant with generous portions and fair prices.
Drink
Breweries and bars
Drink Gravity Box Brewing Company
Located in downtown Mauston in a renovated opera house, Gravity Box Brewing provides high-quality brews and homemade flatbreads in a rustic setting. Beers are generally subdued and act as pure expressions of a particular style without heavy reliance on flavor additives. No beer is always kept on tap, meaning that every new visit will provide an opportunity to try their latest brew. Often hosts food trucks and welcomes outside food.
Coffee
Drink Collin's Coffees
Sharing a building with Gravity Box Brewing Company, Collin's Coffees features hand-selected fair trade Latin American beans roasted in Wisconsin. Offers a variety of coffee styles and flavors, as well as pastries and breakfast meal options.
Sleep
Go next
- Wisconsin Dells. The waterpark capital of the world, originally marketed for its unique geographical features. Come here to have family-friendly fun at water parks, theme parks, shop a variety of stores, or tour the Wisconsin River.
Nearby
Necedah
City / town · 8 mi away
Camp Douglas
City / town · 3 listings · 18 mi away
Wisconsin Rapids
City / town · 4 listings · 21 mi away
Tomah
City / town · 8 listings · 24 mi away
Rudolph
City / town · 28 mi away
Coloma
City / town · 5 listings · 28 mi away
Stevens Point
City / town · 10 listings · 36 mi away
Marshfield
City / town · 6 listings · 37 mi away
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