Castle Mound Pine Forest State Natural Area

Castle Mound Park is just south of the city of Black River Falls. It is named for the 400-year-old Cambrian sandstone butte that rises 180 feet above the surrounding sand plain. Cliffs up to 30 feet high chisel the park’s central backbone ridge. Boulders litter the forest floor beneath red and white pine, oak, birch, maple and aspen. Plants like large-leaved aster, wintergreen and partridge berry make up the ground layer vegetation. The Red-breasted Nuthatch, pine warbler, solitary vireo and Black-throated Green Warblers are found here. Also seen are Broad-winged Hawks, Ovenbirds and Scarlet Tanagers.

Directions: From Black River Falls, go east on Hwy. 12 for 0.7 miles to the entrance of Castle Mound Park, then west on the access road to the picnic area parking lot. A trail leads to the observation tower.

Gazetteer: Page 50, B-2.

Phone: 715/284-1400 (Black River Falls WDNR).

Web site: Castle Mound Pine Forest State Natural Area

Signature Species: Broad-winged Hawk, Blue-headed Vireo and Rose-breasted Grosbeak.

Seasonality: Open all year.

Parking: Parking lot provided.

Nearest food & Lodging: Black River Falls.