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| A rock outcropping along the Rocky Arbor Nature Trail. |
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| Rocky Arbor Nature Trail map. Click for larger version. |
The 0.75-mile Rocky Arbor Nature Trail runs through a dalles – a French word meaning “ravine” or “vale,” from which Wisconsin Dells derives its name because they are numerous along this stretch of the Wisconsin River. The lollipop trail is the only hike available in tiny but beautiful Rocky Arbor State Park.
To reach the trail, from Wisconsin Dells take U.S. Hwy 12 north. About two miles out of town, turn left/west into the park. When the entrance road splits to the campground, go straight into the parking lot. Take the trail heading southwest from the lot. When the trail splits, go straight/southwest.
Ice Age ravine
The first third or so of the trail runs between a creek and rocky ledges that soar about five stories high. The rock outcroppings line the creek’s other side as well. By far this is the best portion of the trail – and not only visually. The rocks and creek mean cooler temperatures there, and virtually no noise, a real contrast to the busy Wisconsin Dells resorts just up the road.
The ravine formed about 10,000 years ago when Glacial Lake Wisconsin to the north broke through the weak moraine holding it in place, sending about 21 trillion gallons of water barrelling down the Wisconsin River. The floodwaters sliced out whole swaths of weak sandstone – some wide as with this ravine, others narrower such as Witches Gulch to the north – along the river and its tributaries.
The rocky sandstone cliffs were set down some 500 million years ago when this part of the world was a beach at the edge of a vast tropical sea. The wind formed sand dunes that over the eons were buried and solidified into rock.
Today, the gorge is a mixed pine forest with an understory of shrubs, ferns and grasses. With the stream, the gorge attracts white-tailed deer, raccoons, squirrels, chipmunks and bats.
Clifftop walk
About 0.2 miles in, the trail loops back, and you head along the top of the rocky cliffs you just passed the base of. Highway noise from the nearby interstate picks up here.
Before reaching the route’s north side is a spur; this part of the nature trail connects to the campground. Unless camping, you can skip that portion of the hike as there are no rock ledges to see on it.
The trail meanders to two other high formations then descends back to the stem. Once there, turn left/northeast to the parking lot.
During summer, insect repellent is a must on the trail.
