Baraboo, Wisconsin Short-Term Rental Market
A 180-day cap applies; Baraboo area STRs averaged $333 ADR, 40.3% occupancy, $3,778 revenue in September 2026.
Quick Answer: Baraboo, Wisconsin is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy in the Wisconsin Dells market area is 40%. average monthly revenue in the Wisconsin Dells market area is $3,778. average daily rate in the Wisconsin Dells market area is $333. the top operator in the Wisconsin Dells market area is Spring Brook Resort with 100 listings. market score is 79/100 (grade B).
Market data reflects the Wisconsin Dells regional market, which includes Baraboo. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Baraboo.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions StaySTRA evaluates per market.
Market Overview
Data through September 2026 show the Baraboo and Wisconsin Dells area STR market averaging an ADR of $333, occupancy of 40.3%, and monthly revenue of $3,778 per listing. Performance figures on this page describe that wider area rather than Baraboo alone. Bedroom, channel, and listing-type counts and top operator data are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Baraboo, so this profile omits it. Baraboo has a population of 12,769 and sits about 20 minutes south of Wisconsin Dells. Devil’s Lake State Park, Wisconsin’s largest and most visited state park, draws nearly 3 million visitors a year, and Sauk County generated nearly $2 billion in tourism economic impact in 2023. Circus World, the International Crane Foundation, and the Al. Ringling Theatre add to the draw, and visitors come mostly from Chicago, Milwaukee, and Madison. Year over year, September 2026 occupancy is up 10.8%, ADR is up 8.9%, and revenue is up 17.9%. Longer term, annual ADR has climbed from $262 in 2017 to $337 in 2026 year to date, while occupancy moved from 36.5% to 45.3% over the same span. Average monthly revenue per listing for 2026 year to date is $4,290, compared with $3,865 for full-year 2025. Summer carries the market: June through August occupancy runs 56.2% to 63.7%, while every other month sits between 33.3% and 41.8%. The seasonal sum of monthly revenue comes to $39,117 a year. The 180-night annual rental cap, the minimum Wisconsin state law allows, shapes how owners plan the calendar, and it matters most because the strong months are concentrated in summer. The latest housing snapshot, dated June 30, 2026, shows a typical home value of $311,035.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy |
|---|---|
| Jan | 33% |
| Feb | 35% |
| Mar | 39% |
| Apr | 35% |
| May | 42% |
| Jun | 56% |
| Jul | 64% |
| Aug | 57% |
| Sep | 39% |
| Oct | 40% |
| Nov | 34% |
| Dec | 39% |
Month-by-month nightly rates and revenue figures for Baraboo are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Wisconsin Dells market area
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape. Operator data is published for the Wisconsin Dells market as a whole, which includes Baraboo, so these counts are not Baraboo-only figures.
| # | 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 nightly-rate breakdowns by bedroom count, property tier, and dwelling type for Baraboo are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Booking Channel Mix
Distribution of bookings across major STR platforms.
| Channel | Share |
|---|---|
| airbnb | 34.6% |
| vrbo | 13.9% |
| both | 51.6% |
Home Value Trends (Baraboo)
Typical home values, median sale prices, and the 10-year price trend for Baraboo are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Booking Insights
Booking-window and length-of-stay analysis for Baraboo — how far ahead guests book and how to price around it — is available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
Baraboo allows short-term rentals but requires two licenses. The first is a City of Baraboo STR License under Chapter 17.13A of the Zoning Code, issued through the Planning & Zoning Department after an inspection by the Building Inspector and Fire Department. The second is a Wisconsin State Tourist Rooming House License from DATCP, needed 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, and the license term runs July 1 to June 30 with annual renewal. Rental is capped at 180 days per calendar year, the minimum allowed by Wisconsin state law. No owner-occupancy or primary residence requirement has been identified. STRs are allowed in residential, mixed-use, and commercial zones where residential use is permitted, though some locations may need a Conditional Use Permit. Adequate off-street parking is required, and HOA or deed restrictions must be followed. Required safety equipment includes smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, a fire extinguisher, and an emergency exit plan. The city imposes an 8% room tax on gross rental receipts, which hosts remit through quarterly Room Tax Reports to the City Treasurer. Airbnb and VRBO collect the 5% Wisconsin sales tax and the 0.5% Sauk County sales tax automatically. Enforcement is rated moderate, mainly complaint-driven with annual renewal inspections, and violations can bring license suspension or daily fines. No major regulatory changes were identified in 2025 and 2026.
Market Comparison
The Baraboo and Wisconsin Dells area shows a mixed picture across the year. The September 2026 ADR of $333 compares with a $337 average for 2026 year to date, and September occupancy of 40.3% compares with 45.3% year to date. Seasonality changes the comparison. June (56.2%), July (63.7%), and August (57.2%) run well above the rest of the year, when occupancy sits between 33.3% and 41.8%. ADR ranges from $240 in November to $356 in July. For investors, this means rates hold up through the year but occupancy depends on summer. Year-over-year occupancy growth of 10.8% and ADR growth of 8.9% in September 2026 show momentum, though the full-year 2025 occupancy average of 44.4% was below the 2023 average of 48.6%.
Frequently Asked Questions About Baraboo, Wisconsin
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