Roche-A-Cri State Park

The French name refers to the 300-foot high rock outcropping that is the central feature of this quiet park. Climb the 300 foot stairway to the top for a panoramic view; picnic areas, hiking trails and 41 wooded campsites, also featured.

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At the top is a platform that will allow you to see 10 different counties, many great Lakes, Friendship Mound, and plenty of other unique places for discovery. Native American petroglyphs and a wayside exhibit can also be viewed. The park has 41 rustic campsites within a forest of large oaks and pines. The park features a 300-foot (91 m) rock outcropping with Native American petroglyphs—the Roche-a-Cri Petroglyphs — and a wooden stairway to the top, as well as more than 5 miles (8.0 km) of hiking trails. Carter Creek, which runs throughout the park offers trout fishing opportunities.

Friendship Lake; located in the Towns of Adams and Preston, Adams County is created by the damming of Little Roche a Cri Creek and is fed by a large stream system that originates in the next county eastward. There are more than five miles of hiking trails through hardwoods and prairie that teem with wildlife and wildflowers. Large white pine, white oak, black oak, red pine, and red oak dominate this 442-acre parcel. A diverse ground layer is present and contains at least 220 plant species. A forest of silver maple, green ash, and basswood border Carter Creek, a class II trout stream, which meanders through the area. The Chickadee Rock Nature Trail and the stairway have interpretive signs.

Chickadee Rock Nature Trail :
This trail also has resting benches as it leads to a 250-foot outcropping. The Chickadee Rock Nature Trail is a short 0.34-mile found northeast of Roche-A-Cri Mound. The nature hike has interpretive signs and resting benches as it leads to Chickadee Rock, a 250-foot outcropping. The trail connects with Acorn Trail, the park's longest trail. From Acorn Trail, hikers have access to the ancient petroglyphs, Spring Peeper Trail, Turkey Vulture Trail, and Czech Avenue.

The white oak stairway allows users to reach the top of the 300-foot Roche-A-Cri mound. Other trails include the 0.75-mile Spring Peeper Trail, the 0.9-mile Turkey Vulture Trail, and the 3.5-mile Acorn Trail that leads to the ancient petroglyphs.

Nearby lakes and streams include: Big Roche-A-Cri Lake, Wisconsin River, Petenwell & Castle Rock flowage, and many others. It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Among the rock art at Roche-a-Cri are moon symbols, star bursts, thunderbird tracks, and a pictograph of an underground water panther. The Roche-a-Cri pentoglyphs are located within Roche-a-Cri State Park, just north of Friendship. Wisconsin State Park admission fees apply. Friends of the Park sponsors several events at Roche-a-Cri, including the Pumpkin Walk and Haunted Hayride, the Candlelight Ski/Walk, the Step-a-Thon, Open House, and various naturalist presentations designed to promote the use and appreciation of this extraordinary natural resources.

Map Of Roche-A-Cri State Park
Private Campgrounds and Camping Reservations For Roche-A-Cri State Park
Friends of Roche-A-Cri State Park

Direction:
Roche-A-Cri State Park in the City of Friendship - Adams County (Southwest WI).

Location

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