Rocky Arbor State Park

Geobox|Protected area
name = Rocky Arbor State Park
category = Wisconsin State Park
category_iucn = V


image_caption =
country = United States
country_

state = Wisconsin
state_

state_type = State
region_type = Counties
region = Juneau
region1 = Sauk
city_type = City
location = Wisconsin Dells
lat_d = 43
lat_m = 38
lat_s = 31
lat_NS = N
long_d = 89
long_m = 48
long_s = 21
long_EW = W
area_unit = acre
area_imperial = 225
area_round = 1
established = 1932
map_locator = Wisconsin


management_body =Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Rocky Arbor State Park is a convert|231|acre|km2|sing=on 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 convert|1.5|mi|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 only open to vehicle traffic in the summer. During the off-season visitors can park at the gate and enter the grounds on foot.

References

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

External links

* [http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/parks/specific/rockyarbor/pdfs/ramapcolor.pdf Park map]