Rocky Arbor State Park

Rocky Arbor State Park
Wisconsin State Park
256px Entrance at Rocky Arbor State Park
Country	United States
State	Wisconsin
Counties	Juneau, Sauk
Location	Wisconsin Dells
- coordinates
Area	244 acres (99 ha)
Founded	1932
Management	Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
IUCN category	V - Protected Landscape/Seascape

Rocky Arbor State Park is a 244-acre (99 ha) Wisconsin state park in the Wisconsin Dells region. The park was established in 1932 to protect sandstone outcrops eroded into picturesque walls and ledges.

Natural history

The region is formed from Late Cambrian sandstone deposited 500 million years ago at the bottom of shallow inland seas. Much later the Wisconsin River flowed over this tract of land, carving channels into the sandstone. The river has since changed course, now running 1.5 miles (2.4 km) to the east, leaving the rock walls of its former gorge exposed. A small creek now flows through the park, though in the opposite direction as the river once did.

Recreation

Situated in a major tourist area, Rocky Arbor State Park has well-developed visitor amenities despite its small size. There is a campground with 89 campsites (18 of them with electrical hookups), showers, flush toilets, a playground, dump station, and picnic area. A single loop trail provides views of the rock ledges, with a spur trail to the campground. The park is open to vehicle traffic only in the summer. During the off-season visitors can park at the gate and enter the grounds on foot.

Images

Sandstone outcrops jut from the greenery of a mixed pine forest in Rocky Arbor State Park.

Sandstone outcrops jut from the greenery of a mixed pine forest in Rocky Arbor State Park.

• Rocky Arbor State Park Ranger Station.jpg

  Ranger Station

• Rocky Arbor State Park Wisconsin.jpg

  Sign

• Rocky Arbor stone July 2013.jpg

  Outcrop

References

• Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Rocky Arbor State Park signage, brochures, and website.

External links

• WDNR park website
• Park map