Friday, August 29, 2014

Pier Natural Bridge Park - Rockbridge, Wisconsin


Yesterday I mentioned that the entire post today was going to be about Pier Natural Bridge Park in Rockbridge, Wisconsin. If you ever get to southern Wisconsin, it's a place you shouldn't miss.

Eric, our personal tour guide, and Kevin
aka 'Mr. Cranberry'

"Pier Natural Bridge Park is located along Hwy. 80 North, at Rockbridge in Richland County. The park obtains its name from the Pier family, who donated the land to Richland County to preserve the site as a park.  The site has a very unusual geological feature - a half-mile long "finger" of blocked and layered sandstone rising nearly 60 feet above the flood plain of two merging valleys.  This narrow finger is topped by tall pines and covered with green shrubs.  The West Branch of the Pine River meets with the Main Branch underneath this rock formation, which forms a Natural Bridge...This 10-acre county park has 6 campsites, two shelters, picnic tables and grills, play equipment, and pit toilets.  Camping permits may be obtained for a minor fee from the Natural Bridge Store, located next to the park.  All camping is on a first-come basis."

 - From Richland County Parks Commission website.










The red dot marks about where the Pier Natural Bridge Park and Rockbridge are. 

Pier Natural Bridge Park is south of Hillsboro and north of Richland Center. It's about halfway between LaCrosse and Madison, as the crow flies. That whole area is beautiful, so I'd highly recommend a visit. Maybe we'll get to go there again soon!



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Have a great weekend, everyone!

 
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38 comments:

  1. podsoAugust 29, 2014 at 5:12 AM

    The photos are wonderful of an amazing place. I wonder if the red and blues are graffiti or natural? I have a guess.

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  2. AnonymousAugust 29, 2014 at 5:40 AM

    Hi Judy,
    Don't you just love things like that? Not huge, not nationally or internationally known, but beautiful, and interesting, and fascinating.
    Blessed weekend to you! m & jb

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  3. Mike@Bit About BritainAugust 29, 2014 at 5:53 AM

    That looks spectacular, interesting and the kind of place I'd enjoy. Interesting the way the sandstone has taken on a distinctly red, white and blue colour scheme in places - presumably this is natural leeching...heaven forbid the park rangers have been busy with spray cans. Joking aside - thanks for that, Judy; wonderful.

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  4. The Quintessential MagpieAugust 29, 2014 at 6:25 AM

    This is so neat! At first, I was hoping the drawings were by Indians, but I think it looks more likely to be graffiti. Thankfully, they didn't vandalize all of it. What a special place!

    xo

    Sheila

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  5. Arlene GAugust 29, 2014 at 7:04 AM

    Judy, how beautiful!! If we get back up that way to visit our Minnesota relatives, we will have to stop and see Pier Natural Bridge. I always enjoy being an armchair traveler with my blog friends.

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  6. Anita JohnsonAugust 29, 2014 at 7:56 AM

    Well, I learned something new! We will definitely go here sometime...Thanks!

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  7. VeeAugust 29, 2014 at 7:59 AM

    Do they call one Candle Rock? The light looks like a perfect flame. Did you walk through the tunnel or just peek through? (My guess is that you walked through.)

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  8. MadSnapperAugust 29, 2014 at 8:00 AM

    i would LOVE to see this, those stacked up rocks with trees growing on them are wonderful. great photos and thanks for sharing since this is the only way I will see that beautiful spot...

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  9. LynneAugust 29, 2014 at 8:02 AM

    Now that is perfect! I need to make a return . . . I was born in Richland Center, lived in Lone Rock . . . As a little girl my favorite playtime was gathering sand stone, grinding the stones together and saving the dust into containers . . . now that goes way, way back . . .
    Thanks for the memories . . .

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  10. camp and cottage livingAugust 29, 2014 at 8:05 AM

    I have traveled just within miles of this place so many times over the years and I didn't know it was there!
    Now I just want to kick myself...
    You can bet I'll stop if I ever get back that way again-it's beautiful.

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  11. Eileen HAugust 29, 2014 at 8:20 AM

    It's an absolutely stunning place.

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  12. DianeAugust 29, 2014 at 8:24 AM

    I've been to The Dells a few times, but never at this bridge. Very interesting!

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  13. TexWisGirlAugust 29, 2014 at 9:01 AM

    it looks beautiful!

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  14. Linda KayAugust 29, 2014 at 9:04 AM

    Judy, love those rock formations as long as I can see daylight. The one with the sun coming through is amazing. And the bridge is very unique. We will have to visit there sometime.

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  15. Lady LindaAugust 29, 2014 at 9:32 AM

    Your pix are just breath taking! What an interesting place. I have never been to Wisconsin. That for the map too...very much appreciated.

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  16. StephanieAugust 29, 2014 at 9:36 AM

    Beautiful picture, Judy! I love the one of the sun shining through the rocks.

    And did I see pumpkin spice soap?? I'm off to your Etsy shop :)

    Enjoy your long weekend! Hugs

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  17. Heide at ApronHistoryAugust 29, 2014 at 10:58 AM

    I have never heard of Pier Natural Bridge. Maybe I will get a chance to stop there some day. Reminds me of a park in Ohio that is very similar, all rock and trees.

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  18. DonnaAugust 29, 2014 at 1:12 PM

    Whoa, one would never suspect that kind of terrain was in Wisconsin! What a cool geologic feature!

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  19. EG CameraGirlAugust 29, 2014 at 3:13 PM

    I very much like the first photo with the bridge leading my eyes into the tunnel. It looks like a great place to visit.

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  20. Trace4JAugust 29, 2014 at 3:23 PM

    Wow!
    What a beautiful place and photos.
    Thanks for sharing.
    Woolie Hugs

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  21. Mama HenAugust 29, 2014 at 4:36 PM

    I would love to visit here! I love bringing my daughter to places like this. The pictures are beautiful! I especially like the one with the sun filtering through. I hope all is well my friend! :)
    Have a great weekend!

    Mama Hen

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  22. ElizabethAugust 29, 2014 at 5:12 PM

    Thanks for your comments on my blog. If I lived where you do , I am sure I would not like to see summer end either! I look forward to reading more of your post! Elizabeth

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  23. Janey and Co.August 29, 2014 at 5:58 PM

    Even though we are Texans..our youngest daughter graduated from UW Madison. I am ashamed to say we never ventured north of there! Looks like we should have.

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  24. Sue McPeakAugust 29, 2014 at 6:23 PM

    Incredible rock formations and your photos are stunning. Great job! So special that this has been preserved and a gift from the Pier family. Thanks for the tour. I felt like I was right there with you.
    Sue at CollectInTexas Gal

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  25. ~Lavender Dreamer~August 29, 2014 at 7:19 PM

    That would be a nice place to camp and explore. Our church used to have conventions in Wisconsin Dells and I always wanted to go there. (that was YEARS ago!) Enjoy your holiday weekend my friend! Hugs!

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  26. Judy S.August 29, 2014 at 8:24 PM

    We'll have to remember that for the next time we drive to MPLS! We saw our first sandhill crane in So. Wisconsin driving in that area.

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  27. Dicky BirdAugust 29, 2014 at 9:53 PM

    I've never been, but you are right that whole area is beautiful. I am going to put this on my day trip list. Thanks for sharing.

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  28. Karen thisoldhouse2.comAugust 30, 2014 at 7:42 AM

    I love natural rock formations like this...

    I plan to make a holiday gift soap purchase very soon. Pumpkin spice! Yum~

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  29. Ruth KellyAugust 30, 2014 at 10:10 AM

    I wonder if my cousin has been there; she doesn't live very far from that point on the map. It looks like a place I'd love to visit.

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  30. Debby@Just BreatheAugust 30, 2014 at 10:12 AM

    Thank you for sharing more photos of the Pier Natural Bridge Park. I'm surprised I've never been there since I've been to a few of the towns nearby. I am going to save this post for the next time I am in Wisconsin! I'm going to be up North in Illinois on evening in a few weeks but won't have any time to head that way to see it.

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  31. Nancy ShumanAugust 30, 2014 at 10:19 AM

    BREATHTAKING!

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  32. IdaAugust 30, 2014 at 6:18 PM

    Oh I'm glad you shared these. What a fabulous place. I'm thinking that the colored portion of the tunnel is not natural (yes or no)? Anyway it's a gorgeous place for sure.

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  33. SuzanAugust 31, 2014 at 9:02 AM

    So neat and beautiful!!

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  34. ValerieAugust 31, 2014 at 12:52 PM

    Hi Judy,
    Catching up on all my blog reading today. Missed visiting with you here. What an enchanting place. Just lovely.
    Blessings, Valerie

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  35. ValerieAugust 31, 2014 at 12:52 PM

    Hi Judy,
    Catching up on all my blog reading today. Missed visiting with you here. What an enchanting place. Just lovely.
    Blessings, Valerie

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  36. Terri DSeptember 1, 2014 at 2:25 PM

    Wow! The natural colors are just amazing. It is a lovely place to visit. Thanks for sharing.

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  37. Red Rose AlleySeptember 2, 2014 at 4:55 PM

    Judy, this place is incredible! I wonder if my father-in-law has ever been here when he lived in Wisconsin. That picture of the sun peeking through is so cool.

    ~Sheri

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  38. J_on_tourSeptember 24, 2014 at 11:47 AM

    Wow, that's a spectacular natural feature. I like how you've used the light in various ways.

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