Wyalusing State Park

Wyalusing State Park sits where the Wisconsin River meets the Mississippi River and features high limestone cliffs along with multiple forest types covering the land. The landscape includes wooded areas, grasslands, and river valleys that support different plants and animals.

The area was first established as a park in 1917 under the name Nelson Dewey State Park and renamed in 1937 as its archaeological importance became clear. Ancient earthwork mounds found here date back to prehistoric times and represent earlier populations.

The name comes from the Lenape language meaning home of the warrior, reflecting ties to the Munsee-Delaware peoples who lived here. Today, visitors encounter this heritage through ancient earthwork mounds and memorials scattered across the landscape.

The park has a network of hiking trails with different difficulty levels and two campgrounds with many camping spots to choose from. Visitors can use the rivers for paddling and fishing, and in winter some paths are groomed for cross-country skiing.

The park houses an observatory with a large telescope for nighttime sky viewing and astronomical programs. There is also a memorial marker honoring the passenger pigeon, a bird species that once inhabited this region but is now gone.

Location: Grant County

Inception: 1917

Website: https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/name/wyalusing

GPS coordinates: 42.97972,-91.10861

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:41