In-Town Residential Lots — Mauston and Communities

What Is Available

In-town residential lots with municipal water and sewer connections in Mauston are limited — the city has limited remaining infill opportunities within its current boundaries. When they come to market, they typically move relatively quickly. New Lisbon, Necedah, and Elroy have periodic lot availability at comparable pricing. In-town lots offer the significant advantage of municipal utilities, which eliminates the $20,000–$45,000 well and septic cost that rural parcels require.

Price Range

In-town residential lots in Mauston and Juneau County communities generally range from $15,000 to $50,000 depending on size, location, and infrastructure availability. Premium in-town lots near Heritage Park or the revitalized downtown core are at the higher end of this range. Mauston's zoning rewrite — in progress in 2026 — is intended to increase available lot supply over time.

Rural Residential Parcels

What Is Available

Rural residential parcels throughout Juneau County are the most consistently available land category. These range from single-acre lots with utility road frontage to 20–40 acre parcels with significant timber and privacy. The buyer spectrum for rural parcels is wide: first-time buyers building a starter home, remote workers seeking acreage, and recreational buyers who want a buildable parcel with hunting or recreational use.

Price Range

Rural residential parcels in Juneau County run broadly from $30,000 to $120,000+ depending on acreage, road access quality, timber value, proximity to lakes or public land, and whether any site infrastructure exists. Per-acre pricing varies significantly — a well-positioned 5-acre parcel with road frontage and utility access may command more per acre than a 40-acre wooded parcel with limited road access.

What to Budget Beyond the Lot Price

Rural site development costs are the most commonly underestimated budget item for new-construction buyers. Well installation: $8,000–$15,000 depending on depth and casing type. Conventional septic system: $12,000–$25,000 depending on soil conditions and system design. Mound system (required when conventional fails perc test): $18,000–$35,000. Driveway: $5,000–$20,000 depending on length and surface. Utility extension if not at lot line: variable. Total rural site development: $40,000–$80,000 in most cases.

Lake-Access and Near-Water Lots

What Is Available

Buildable lots with lake access — either direct frontage or deeded access in managed communities — are the scarcest and most expensive land category in Juneau County. Direct lakefront buildable lots on Castle Rock and Petenwell are genuinely rare and move quickly when properly priced. Deeded-access lots in managed lake communities represent a more accessible entry point for buyers who want lake use without direct frontage pricing.

Price Range

Deeded lake-access lots in Juneau County communities start around $75,000–$125,000. Direct lakefront buildable lots on Castle Rock and Petenwell start around $150,000 for modest frontage positions and range to $400,000+ for premium frontage on the Juneau County west shore of Castle Rock or open-water positions on Petenwell. These prices reflect land only — construction cost is additive.

MFL-Enrolled Hunting and Recreational Parcels

A significant portion of larger wooded parcels in Juneau County are enrolled in the Wisconsin Managed Forest Law program. MFL Closed parcels offer substantial property tax reductions in exchange for following a DNR-approved forest management plan — attractive for buyers who want hunting access with tax efficiency. MFL Open parcels require allowing public access. MFL status and obligations transfer to new owners at closing. See our hunting land buyer guide for the full MFL framework and how it applies to purchasing recreational land in this area.

Frequently Asked Questions