Wisconsin State Natural Areas Program
Roche-A-Cri Mound (No. 183)

Overview

Location

Within Roche-a- Cri State Park, Adams County. T18N-R6E, Section 30. 25 acres.

Access

Access: From the intersection of County Highway J and State Highway 13 in Friendship, go north on 13 2 miles to the Roche-a-Cri State Park entrance. Park maps are available at the contact station. Follow the park road to the northwest base of the mound. A 303-step stairway leads to the summit. For the eastern portion, go north from the park on Highway 13 0.7 miles, then east on Cypress Avenue 0.4 miles to a parking area south of the road.

Visitation Guidelines: Roche-A-Cri Mound is open daily 6:00 a.m. to sunset. Visitors must remain on the trail. Pets, food, and beverage are not allowed in the natural area. A State Park sticker is required.

Description

Description

Probably the most conspicuous and beautiful rock in Wisconsin is bold, irregular Roche-a-Cri, a late Cambrian sandstone outlier mesa of the retreating Magnesian Escarpment. Named by early French explorers, Roche-a-Cri or “crevice in the rock” refers to the large cleft in the rock structure that is visible from a distance. Three complete erosion cycles are evident within the rock strata. The distinctly shaped mound was once a rocky island in the former Glacial Lake Wisconsin and is long and narrow with a flat-topped ridge bordered by craggy, precipitous cliffs. The summit stands about 300 feet above the Central Sands plain and offers excellent views of several other late Cambrian sandstone crags and towers including Pilot Knob, Mosquito Mound, Rattlesnake Mound, and Dorro Couche. These white rocky battlements punctuate the even, green plane that surrounds Roche-a-Cri. Vegetation at the top of the mound consists of scattered red, black, and white oak with red, white, and jack pine. Plants characteristic of bracken grassland, sand barrens, cliff and dry forest, and prairie communities grow here too. Turkey vultures use the high mound as a roost site. Below, lies a long and steep talus slope, which harbors a small, narrow rock shelter containing rock art. “Crow feet” petroglyphs are present at the base of the mound and protected by a fence as they have been partially destroyed by vandals. Roche-a-Cri is owned by the DNR and was designated a State Natural Area in 1983.

Maps

The WDNR's State Natural Areas Program is comprised of lands owned by the state, private conservation organizations, municipalities, other governmental agencies, educational institutions, and private individuals. Therefore, while the majority of SNAs are open to the public, access may vary accordingly. Public use restrictions may apply due to public safety, or to protect endangered or threatened species or unique natural features. Lands may be temporarily closed due to specific management activities. Users are encouraged to contact the land owner for more specific details.

The data shown on these maps have been obtained from various sources, and are of varying age, reliability, and resolution. The data may contain errors or omissions and should not be interpreted as a legal representation of legal ownership boundaries.

• Guidebook Map [PDF, 43 KB]
• Detailed Map [PDF, 117 KB]
• Line Map [PDF, 22 KB]

Objectives

Site Objectives

Manage the site as a reserve for northern dry forest, as a significant geological site, as a significant archaeological site, and as an ecological reference area. Natural processes will primarily determine the structure of the forest. Provide opportunities for research and education on the highest quality native northern dry forests.

Management Approach

The native dominant tree species (primarily pines and oaks) are managed passively, and will convert over time to a more mesic forest condition. Passive canopy management will determine the ecological characteristics of the site.

Site-Specific Considerations

• Although removal of hazardous trees from over and near trails is an allowed activity, manipulation/removal of vegetation and soil disturbance should be minimized to the extent possible.
• The petroglyphs are protected and managed according to Department policy and existing state and federal legislation relating to archaeological sites.

Activities

Please come prepared for your visit. Amenities vary from site to site with most SNAs being primitive and without facilities. See Guidelines for Visitation for details.

Allowable Activities

Most DNR-owned SNAs allow:

• Hiking
• Hunting
• Fishing
• Trapping
• Skiing

Some exceptions apply. Properties closed to the public or closed to specific use, such as hunting, will be posted.

***For non-DNR-owned SNAs: Additional use guidelines may apply. Please verify any use restrictions with the landowner or contact the SNA Program. Landowners may require additional permits or restrict the number of hunters at a given SNA to provide a quality hunting experience. SNA landowners can be found at the bottom of each SNA description page.

Prohibited Activities

• Horseback riding
• Rock climbing
• Vehicles, including bicycles, ATVs, aircraft, and snowmobiles except on trails and roadways designated for their use
• Collecting of plants (including fruits, nuts, or edible plant parts), animals, fungi, rocks, minerals, fossils, archaeological artifacts, soil, downed wood, or any other natural material, alive or dead

Please note that a permit is required for scientific collection and research on State Natural Areas. For more information, contact Thomas Meyer, State Natural Areas Program Specialist.

For more information on rules governing state-owned SNAs and other state lands, please consult Wisconsin's Administrative Code Chapter NR 45 (exit DNR)