Roche-A-Cri State Park protects a 300-foot rock mound rising out of the central Wisconsin landscape — and at its base, Native American petroglyphs and pictographs that the Wisconsin DNR ties to ancestors of the Ho-Chunk people. Interpretive panels help visitors find and understand the images, which include carved birds, canoes, and geometric designs. For RV travelers in the upper Midwest, it is a rare chance to see Wisconsin's publicly accessible rock art with care.
Best season — Late spring through fall (check Wisconsin DNR for the open season)
At a glance
The facts worth checking before you roll out
Conservative, source-minded facts for planning your visit — always worth confirming against current conditions before you travel.
State
Wisconsin
Manager
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Made by
Ancestors of the Ho-Chunk people
Age
Petroglyphs before A.D. 900; pictographs 400–500 years ago
On the ground
The Wisconsin DNR states that the rock art at Roche-A-Cri was made by artists believed to be ancestors of the Ho-Chunk people — petroglyphs created before A.D. 900 and pictographs that appeared only 400 to 500 years ago. Interpretive panels at the site present facts, drawings of the art, and a map to help visitors locate the carvings and paintings on the mound.
The park has built infrastructure — observation platforms and an updated stairway — partly so people can experience the place without harming it. That history matters here: this rock art was damaged by vandalism in the 1800s, a reminder of how easily irreplaceable heritage is lost.
So view, photograph, and learn — but never touch, trace, or scratch the images. Follow the interpretive panels, stay on the developed paths, and leave only footprints. Confirm current park hours, season, and access on the Wisconsin DNR site before adding Roche-A-Cri to your route.
Official sources
- Wisconsin DNR — Roche-A-Cri State Park History State parks agency
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