Wisconsin State Natural Areas Program
Dells Of The Wisconsin River (No. 283)

Overview

Location

Adams, Columbia, Juneau & Sauk Counties. T13N-R6E, Sections 3, 4, 10, 15, 16. T14N-R6E, Sections 20, 21, 28, 29, 33, 34. 1,300 acres.

Access

Access: From the intersection of Highways 12 and 13/23 in Wisconsin Dells, go east on 13 0.6 mile (across the river), then north on River Road (1st stoplight) 1.7 miles to a parking area west of the road. A hiking trail leads to the river. Another parking area is located 1.9 miles further north along River Road. The rock formations are best seen by water. A boat landing is located on River Road 0.5 mile north of 13.

Visitation Guidelines: The cliffs and side canyons are closed to the public to protect sensitive features. Glass containers, fires, and charcoal grills are prohibited. Except as otherwise posted or for special events: From May 15-September 15, the natural area is open from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. From September 16-May 14, the natural area is open from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. This includes sandbars.

Description

Description

The Dells of the Wisconsin River encompasses over 5 miles of Wisconsin River corridor with a spectacular gorge, cliffs, tributary canyons, and rock formations carved into Cambrian sandstone. Formed between 510-520 million years ago, some cliffs rise over one hundred feet above the water and have been shaped by the erosive processes of water and wind. With a variety of exposures and moisture regimes, the cliffs afford many different niches for plants, some of which are very rare in Wisconsin. Cliff cudweed (Gnaphalium obtusifolium var saxicola), known from only 2 places on Earth - here and in the Kickapoo Valley, grows on protected rock ledges. Other rarities include Lapland azalea (Rhododendron lapponicum), round-stemmed false foxglove (Agalinis gattingeri), maidenhair spleenwort (Asplenium trichomanes), and fragrant fern (Dryopteris fragrans). This area contains a mosaic of plant communities including northern and southern oak/pine forests, oak savanna, and moist and dry cliffs. Rare animals include six dragonfly species including the Royal river cruiser (Macromia taeniolata), six rare mussels and numerous birds. While set aside to protect the rare plants and animals, the Dells also has an important cultural history that spans several thousand years. Various Native Americans, ranging from early Paleo-Indian people to the more recent Ho-Chunk, Sac, and Menominee, were attracted to the scenic waterway, and left behind archeological evidence such as effigy and burial mounds, camps and village sites, garden beds and rock art. Dells of the Wisconsin is owned by the DNR and was designated a State Natural Area in 1994.

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, 83 KB]

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)