Arkdale, Wisconsin 54613
Your Guide to Arkdale, Castle Rock Lake, Lake Petenwell & Real Estate | Liz Walker, REMAX RealPros
Updated November 2026
Arkdale is a small, unincorporated community in the Town of Strongs Prairie in western Adams County, set between the east shores of Castle Rock Lake and Lake Petenwell, Wisconsin’s 4th and 2nd largest lakes. The 54613 ZIP code is lake country through and through: more than half of its homes are seasonal cabins, vacation homes, and second homes, and about 87% of year-round homes are owner-occupied. Buyers come for lake access, wooded lots, and golf at Northern Bay, all at prices well below the state average.
History of Arkdale, Wisconsin
Arkdale grew from one of central Wisconsin’s earliest Norwegian settlements. In 1850, a group of Norwegian settlers left Koshkonong, then the largest Norwegian colony in the United States, and moved north to the area along Roche-A-Cri Creek. In 1853 they organized the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Roche-A-Cri, one of the first Norwegian Lutheran churches in Wisconsin. A historical marker at the South Arkdale Cemetery, 1801 Cypress Ave, marks the site of that first church.
A second Norwegian congregation, part of the Hauge Synod, organized in 1859 about two miles east, in the village that became Arkdale. That congregation is today’s Trinity Lutheran Church of Arkdale. Much of the surrounding land was farmed by these early families for generations.
The Town of Strongs Prairie, which includes Arkdale, was formed on November 13, 1856, and named for one of the area’s first settlers, Myron Strong, who ran a tavern and inn on the north shore of Roche-A-Cri Creek around 1848. In the 1940s and 1950s, dams on the Wisconsin River created Petenwell and Castle Rock Lakes along the town’s western edge, turning this farming community into one of central Wisconsin’s most popular lake and recreation areas.
Market Statistics for Arkdale 54613
Population
(ZIP 54613)
Median Home Value
(up $50,500 since 2019)
Median Household Income
Median Age
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for ZIP 54613 (population, home value, and income: 2020–2024; median age: 2019–2023).
What Homes Are Worth Today
Current property data estimates the median 54613 home at about $207,000, with about 86 residential sales in the past year (ATTOM). That’s below the Adams County typical value of $245,585 (Zillow, Sep 2026) and about 39% below the Wisconsin typical value of $337,196. Lakefront homes on Castle Rock and Petenwell sell well above the median, while off-water cabins and wooded lots sell below it.
Buyers: Arkdale is one of the region’s best values for a lake getaway or retirement home. Before you buy, confirm exactly what the frontage includes, whether a channel reaches open water, and any dock or shoreline rules.
Sellers: Many buyers here shop from Madison, Milwaukee, Chicago, and the Twin Cities. Strong photos and marketing that reach second-home buyers make a big difference.
Location & Map
Lakes & Outdoor Recreation
Lake Petenwell
(2nd largest in Wisconsin)
Castle Rock Lake
(4th largest in Wisconsin)
Adams County park on Lake Petenwell near Arkdale, with camping, a beach, and boat launches.
Adams County park on Castle Rock Lake with camping, a beach, and a boat launch.
Golf resort on Castle Rock Lake with lodging and dining.
About 15 minutes east near Friendship, with a 300-foot sandstone mound and Wisconsin’s only publicly accessible rock art site.
Walleye, pike, musky, and bass on both lakes, public land for hunting, and county ATV, snowmobile, and horse trails.
Local Restaurants & Taverns
Chef Mark Aker’s Chicago-style barbecue near the shores of Castle Rock Lake.
Local bar and gathering spot on Highway 21.
Food and drinks in a place where friends are treated like family.
Full bar and menu with weekly drink specials.
Lake resort with a bar in the Bighorn area.
Shopping & Services
Local convenience store in the Bighorn area.
Local flea market and longtime area favorite.
A-F County Market and Ace of Adams are about 15 minutes east. See the Adams guide.
Gundersen Moundview Hospital & Clinics offers emergency care, clinics, and a pharmacy about 15 minutes away.
Education: Adams-Friendship Area School District
The Town of Strongs Prairie, including Arkdale, is served by the Adams-Friendship Area School District, with about 1,286 students. Its elementary, middle, and high schools are in the city of Adams, about 15 minutes east, and the high school’s four-year graduation rate is 92%. Some properties near the county line may fall in a neighboring district, so confirm by address.
Elementary (Pre-K–4), middle (5–8), and high school (9–12) in Adams
Government & Community Resources
Town government for Arkdale and Dellwood, including permits, zoning, and town board meetings
Property records, shoreland zoning, and county parks
Business directory, events, and visitor information
Local history, including the county’s Norwegian settlements
Why Choose Arkdale (54613)?
Two Big Lakes: Between Lake Petenwell and Castle Rock Lake, with county parks and boat launches on both.
Lake Living for Less: A median home value of about $207,000, roughly 39% below the Wisconsin typical value.
Second-Home Destination: More than half of homes are seasonal or vacation properties, with strong demand from out-of-area buyers.
Golf and Trails: Northern Bay’s Castle Course plus horse, ATV, and snowmobile trails nearby.
Quiet and Wooded: Peaceful lake country with wildlife, trails, and public land.
Central Location: About 15 minutes to Adams and Friendship, 20 minutes to Necedah, 35 minutes to Wisconsin Rapids and Mauston, and 50 minutes to Wisconsin Dells.
Your Arkdale Real Estate Agent
Liz Walker, Broker Associate, REALTOR®, REMAX RealPros
512 Gateway Ave, Mauston, WI 53948 · 608-547-5301
- 2025 Top Agent in Mauston, RealTrends and FastExpert
- 2025 REMAX 100% Club Member
- 235 career transactions and 31 five-star reviews
- ABR®, SFR®, and C2EX designations
- Castle Rock Lake and Lake Petenwell specialist
Arkdale Real Estate FAQ
What is the median home value in Arkdale, WI?
Current property data estimates the median home in the 54613 ZIP code at about $207,000, with about 86 residential sales in the past year. The Census median owner-reported value is $172,400 (2020–2024), up $50,500 since 2019.
Is Arkdale on Castle Rock Lake or Lake Petenwell?
Both. Arkdale sits in the Town of Strongs Prairie, which borders the east shores of Lake Petenwell and Castle Rock Lake. Petenwell County Park and Castle Rock County Park offer public access.
What town and school district is Arkdale in?
Arkdale is an unincorporated community in the Town of Strongs Prairie, Adams County. It is served by the Adams-Friendship Area School District, with schools in Adams.
Who is a top real estate agent for Arkdale, WI?
Liz Walker of REMAX RealPros serves Arkdale and the Castle Rock and Petenwell lake areas. She was named a 2025 Top Agent in Mauston by RealTrends and FastExpert, is a 2025 REMAX 100% Club member, and has 235 career transactions.
Explore Nearby Communities
Ready to Buy or Sell in Arkdale?
Contact Liz Walker, REMAX RealPros, to see available lake homes, cabins, and land around Arkdale, or find out what your property is worth in today’s market.
View Available Homes Call or Text 608-547-5301