Roche-a-Cri State Park & Roche-a-Cri Mound State Natural Area

This 605-acre state park is dominated by a 300-foot-high rocky butte that once stood as an island surrounded by the waters of glacial Lake Wisconsin. There is excellent interpretive information about the rock at the foot of the 303-step wooden stairs that takes you to the top. Once at the top, you’ll get a bird’s-eye view of the flat Central Sands plain that unfolds before you. Turkey Vultures use the high mound as a roost site. Below, a long and steep talus slope and small rock shelter contains Native American petroglyphs (rock carvings). Don’t forget your camera!

Directions: From Friendship, go north on Hwy 13 two miles to the park entrance.

Gazetteer: Page 52, D-2 (prior to 10th edition). | Page 69, F-5 (10th edition).

Phone: 608/565-2789.

Web site: WDNR Roche-a-Cri State Natural Area

Signature species: Turkey Vultures and Bald Eagles.

Rare species: Common Raven, Winter Wren and Blue-gray Gnatcatcher.

Parking: Parking lots.

Nearest food & lodging: Friendship.

Fee: Park fees apply.