Baraboo, Wisconsin Short-Term Rental Market
Baraboo STR listings averaged $284/night at 34.1% occupancy in April 2026, anchored by Devil's Lake State Park visitation.
Quick Answer: Baraboo, Wisconsin is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy is 34%. average monthly revenue is $2,651. average daily rate is $284. the top operator is Spring Brook Resort with 100 listings. market score is 79/100 (grade B).
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions Apivex evaluates per market.
Market Overview
Baraboo, Wisconsin operates a market of approximately 1,572 active short-term rental listings, positioned at the gateway to Devil’s Lake State Park and 20 minutes south of the Wisconsin Dells entertainment corridor. In April 2026, the average daily rate across all listing types was $284, with occupancy at 34.1% and RevPAR of $97. Average monthly revenue per listing reached $2,651.
The listing mix is nearly entirely whole-property rentals: 1,528 listings (97.1% of listing-type-tracked supply) are entire-place units, with only 46 private rooms in the market. By bedroom count, 2-bedroom properties lead at 504 listings, followed by 1-bedroom (414), 3-bedroom (330), 4-bedroom (171), and 5-bedroom (153). This distribution reflects the area’s profile as a destination for groups and couples seeking outdoor recreation rather than solo travelers.
Channel distribution shows strong multi-platform presence: 812 listings appear on both Airbnb and Vrbo simultaneously, while 544 are Airbnb-only and 218 are Vrbo-only. The dual-listed majority signals that experienced operators dominate the supply side.
Year-over-year comparisons for the most recent data month show occupancy down 1.8 percentage points and revenue down 3.3%, while ADR rose 4.0%. The ADR increase partially offset the occupancy decline, a pattern consistent with operators raising rates to protect revenue per booked night. The 2025 annual averages show occupancy of 44.6%, ADR of $312, and monthly revenue of $3,901, reflecting the fuller seasonal picture. The market’s overall StaySTRA score is 78.95 out of 100, led by a near-perfect investability score of 98.15 and strong revenue growth (82.18) and regulation scores (80.82). Rental demand scores lower at 48.92, consistent with April’s off-peak position.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy | ADR | Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 33% | $271 | $2,558 |
| Feb | 35% | $269 | $2,328 |
| Mar | 39% | $263 | $2,648 |
| Apr | 35% | $254 | $2,409 |
| May | 42% | $271 | $2,619 |
| Jun | 56% | $333 | $4,572 |
| Jul | 63% | $350 | $5,724 |
| Aug | 57% | $337 | $5,375 |
| Sep | 38% | $272 | $2,857 |
| Oct | 40% | $243 | $2,681 |
| Nov | 34% | $241 | $2,195 |
| Dec | 39% | $275 | $2,517 |
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Baraboo
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spring Brook Resort | 100 | 3,363 | ★ 4.72 |
| 2 | Vacasa | 92 | 2,746 | ★ 4.23 |
| 3 | Christian Taylor Vacations | 86 | 300 | ★ 4.52 |
| 4 | Destination Dells | 83 | 8,012 | ★ 4.91 |
| 5 | CVR Management | 36 | 427 | ★ 4.30 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Baraboo?
Revenue and pricing by property type, tier, and bedroom count.
Revenue by Bedroom Count
| 1 bed | 414 |
| 2 bed | 504 |
| 3 bed | 330 |
| 4 bed | 171 |
| 5 bed | 153 |
ADR by Property Tier
| Entire Home | $288 |
| Luxury | $429 |
| Professionally Managed | $289 |
Revenue by Dwelling Type
| Apartment | $2,176 |
| Entire Place | $2,675 |
| House | $2,967 |
Booking Channel Mix
Distribution of bookings across major STR platforms.
| Channel | Share |
|---|---|
| airbnb | 34.6% |
| vrbo | 13.9% |
| both | 51.6% |
Investment Analysis
Baraboo’s investment case centers on high summer revenue potential offset by meaningful shoulder and winter seasonality. Based on 2025 annual average revenue of $3,901 per month, a property generating at that rate would produce approximately $46,812 in gross annual revenue. Against a typical home value of $306,395 (Zillow, April 2026), that implies a gross yield of approximately 15.3%. This figure is pre-expense and does not account for management fees, maintenance, or financing costs.
The ADR tier comparison reveals a clear premium structure. All-listings ADR in April 2026 was $284. Entire-home listings averaged $288, a minimal premium over the all-in average, reflecting that entire-place units already dominate the market. Luxury-tier listings commanded $429, a 51% premium over the market average. Professionally managed listings averaged $289, essentially in line with the market, which suggests professional management in this market is volume-focused rather than premium-rate-focused.
Year-over-year ADR growth of 4.0% is a positive signal. Revenue declined 3.3% year-over-year in April, driven by the 1.8-point occupancy drop. Looking at the annual series, revenue peaked in 2023 at an average of $3,848 per month, held steady in 2024 at $3,825, and grew modestly to $3,901 in 2025. The trend is stable rather than accelerating. The median list price of $353,633 is above the typical home value of $306,395, suggesting the ask-to-value gap is material and acquisition price negotiation matters.
Revenue Trend (5 yr)
ADR & Occupancy Trends (5 yr)
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Booking Insights
In April 2026, the average booking lead time for Baraboo STRs was 57 days, meaning guests are booking roughly 8 weeks in advance. The average length of stay is 2.61 nights. Together, these two figures shape how an operator should approach revenue management.
A 57-day lead window is moderate. It is long enough that peak-season dates (June, July, August) should be priced at full rate well in advance, as guests planning summer trips are booking by April. Operators who discount to fill early bookings on peak dates are likely leaving money on the table. Conversely, for slower shoulder months, last-minute pricing adjustments may be needed to avoid empty nights.
The 2.61-night average stay sits just above a 2-night weekend minimum. Setting a 2-night minimum for weekends is well-supported by the data. A 3-night minimum during peak summer weeks can filter for guests likely to generate higher revenue per stay, though it carries the risk of leaving single nights unfilled in a market where gap-fill is already a challenge given the seasonal demand pattern.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
Baraboo requires STR operators to hold two concurrent licenses. The first is a City of Baraboo STR License under Chapter 17.13A of the Zoning Code, obtained through the Planning and Zoning Department. A mandatory pre-rental inspection by both the Building Inspector and Fire Department is required before the license is issued.
The second is a Wisconsin State Tourist Rooming House License from the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), required for any property rented more than 10 nights per year. The state fee is $296 per year for a single unit, plus a one-time pre-inspection fee of $592. The license term runs July 1 through June 30 and requires annual renewal.
Rentals are capped at 180 days per calendar year, the minimum cap permitted under Wisconsin state law. No owner-occupancy or primary residence requirement applies. STRs are permitted in residential, mixed-use, and commercial zones where residential use is otherwise allowed, though some locations may require a Conditional Use Permit. Adequate off-street parking must be provided.
The city collects an 8% room tax on gross rental receipts. Airbnb and Vrbo automatically collect Wisconsin state sales tax (5%) and Sauk County sales tax (0.5%), but the 8% city room tax must be remitted separately by the host on a quarterly basis via Room Tax Reports to the City Treasurer. Required safety equipment includes smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, a fire extinguisher, and an emergency exit plan.
Enforcement is primarily complaint-driven, supplemented by annual renewal inspections. Violations can result in license suspension or daily fines. The StaySTRA regulation score for this market is 80.82 out of 100, reflecting a structured but operator-accessible framework with no residency burdens.
Market Comparison
Against national STR benchmarks, Baraboo sits below average on occupancy but above average on ADR. The US STR median occupancy is approximately 55%, while Baraboo’s 2025 annual average was 44.6% and April 2026 was 34.1%. The US median ADR is approximately $220; Baraboo’s 2025 annual ADR of $312 and April ADR of $284 both exceed that benchmark. The premium ADR reflects the area’s positioning as a destination market anchored by Devil’s Lake, where guests accept higher nightly rates for proximity to a natural attraction.
Professional management is well-represented in Baraboo. Spring Brook Resort leads the market with 100 listings and 3,363 reviews at a 4.72 average rating. Vacasa operates 92 listings at a 4.23 rating. Christian Taylor Vacations manages 86 listings at a 4.52 rating. Destination Dells holds 83 listings and leads on review volume with 8,012 reviews at a 4.91 rating. CVR Management rounds out the top five with 36 listings at a 4.30 rating.
The top 5 operators collectively manage 397 listings, representing approximately 25% of the estimated 1,572 total bedroom-count listings. This is a moderately concentrated market where independent operators still control the majority of supply, but professional management is substantial enough to set pricing standards and guest expectations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Baraboo, Wisconsin
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Is Airbnb legal in Baraboo, WI?
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