Tunnelville Cliffs

State Natural Area (No. 542)

Location: Vernon County. T13N-R3W, Section 36. 150 acres.

Access: From the intersection of Highways 82 and 131 in LaFarge, go south on 131 2 miles, then west on Tunnelville Road 1.2 miles. Park along the road and walk west into the site.

Description: Tunnelville Cliffs features an extensive series of east-facing Cambrian sandstone cliffs that support a noteworthy flora including the state-threatened musk-root (Adoxa moschatellina). Sullivant’s cool-wort, bladder fern, swamp saxifrage, prairie alumroot, jewelweed, mosses, and several liverworts are among the other cliff associated species found here. Situated above the East Branch of the Kickapoo River, the cliffs are shaded by a mixed forest of large white pine, red oak, yellow birch, basswood, sugar maple, paper birch, and ironwood. Black ash and round-leaved dogwood are also present. Herbaceous species include rattlesnake fern, maidenhair fern, false mermaid-weed, round-lobed hepatica, wild geranium, sweet cicely, Canada mayflower, woodland phlox, and black snakeroot. Below the cliff, the Kickapoo curves away to the east and supports a wetland containing alder, skunk cabbage, wood nettle, and sedges. Seepages can be found along the cliff base. Other natural features include ice caves, waterfalls, and a small goat prairie. Tunnelville Cliffs is owned by the Mississippi Valley Conservancy and was designated a State Natural Area in 2006.