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Roche-A-Cri Park
- Introduction
- Camping
- Current Conditions
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- Rules
- Things to Do
- Things to See
- Trails
- In the Area
Roche-A-Cri State Park
Area Activities and Places to See
Castle Rock and Petenwell Lakes [exit DNR]—Accommodations, activities, dining, events, and more
Petenwell Hydroelectric Plant. Tour this impressive structure from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. It is the largest hydroelectric plant in the area.
Van Kuren Trail [exit DNR], Adams County. A 1.8-mile trail in western Adams County winds over rolling hills and stands of oak and pine trees. The trail is open year round for hiking or skiing. Call the Wisconsin River Power Company, (715) 422-3927, for details.
Military Facilities
Volk Field, Camp Douglas [exit DNR], has a museum and opportunities for watching aircraft training:
- Wisconsin National Guard Memorial Library and Museum [exit DNR]. See aircraft displays and exhibits on military history. For more information, call (608) 427-1280.
- Hardwood Air-to-Ground Weapons Range [exit DNR], near Finley. Watch aircraft tactical training. Staff on site will provide background information. At County F and 11th Avenue in northern Juneau County. For flight information, call (608) 427-1509.
Wildlife Viewing
Necedah National Wildlife Refuge [exit DNR]. This 44,000-acre federal refuge is a stop over for 5,000 to 10,000 Canada geese each year. Deer, turkey and waterfowl are common. For more information, call (608) 565-2551. A Whooping Crane reintroduction project is underway.
Sandhill Wildlife Area, Babcock. A 14-mile auto tour meanders through this 9,000-acre wildlife demonstration area. The "Trumpeter Trail" affords visitors the opportunity to view wildlife, including waterfowl, sandhill cranes, and the resident bison herd, from three observation towers. Interpretive signs along the trail indicate points of interest. For more information, call (715) 884-2437.
Quincy Bluff Natural Area. Lands owned by the Wisconsin Chapter of the Nature Conservancy and the Wisconsin DNR combine to make 5,102 acres of designated natural area.
Eagle Watching, Necedah
Bald eagles can be seen south of the Petenwell Dam from the Highway 21 wayside. Best viewing is during the winter.
State Parks
Buckhorn State Park. Buckhorn State Park, established in 1971, includes a 4,500-acre park and wildlife area, a peninsula in the Castle Rock Flowage of the Wisconsin River, and land along the Yellow River--a paradise for water recreationists, hunters, hikers and nature lovers. It has an outdoor group camp, 24 cart-in campsites, two-level accessible wildlife blinds, accessible cabin, accessible fishing pier and waterfowl hunting blinds. Call (608) 565-2789.
Rocky Arbor State Park, Wisconsin Dells. A 225-acre park with 89 wooded campsites, large pines and sandstone bluffs offers a cool escape to picnickers. For more information, call (608) 254-8001.
Mill Bluff State Park, Camp Douglas. Part of the Ice Age National Scientific Reserve, this small park is an excellent choice for a picnic, swim or weekend camping trip. The park has 21 family campsites. For more information, call (608) 427-6692.
Elroy-Sparta and "400" state trails, Elroy. Three abandoned tunnels highlight the 32-mile Elroy-Sparta hiking/biking/snowmobile trail. The 22-mile "400" Trail features rock outcroppings along the Baraboo River. Bike rentals available.
Golf Courses
Castle Rock Golf Course, two miles north of Mauston on State Highway 58, then one fourth mile west on Welch Prairie Road, Mauston. For more information, call (608) 847-4658.
Moundview Country Club, west of Friendship on County Highway J. Call (608) 339-3814 for more information.
Northern Bay Golf Resort, about 7 miles west of the park on Czech Avenue, then about a half mile south on 20th Avenue. Call (608) 339-2090 for more information.
County Parks
Castle Rock County Park [exit DNR]. This 141-acre park has 200 campsites, showers restrooms, swimming, boat launch and hiking. Call (608) 339-7713 for more information.
Petenwell County Park [exit DNR]. With more than 430 acres, this park has 500 campsites, showers, restrooms, swimming, boat launch, shelters and hiking. Call (608) 564-7513 for more information.
For more information about Roche-A-Cri State Park, please call (608) 565-2789 or email Joe Stecker-Kochanski, Buckhorn/Roche-A-Cri State Parks.
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