Roche-a-Cri Petroglyphs

Roche-a-Cri Petroglyphs is an archaeological site in Adams County, Wisconsin, where carved rock art appears on a sandstone formation overlooking a creek valley. The engravings are etched into the stone face at the base of a steep outcrop and range in size from small details to larger figures.

The petroglyphs were carved into the sandstone by the Oneota people several hundred years ago. Damage to the carvings occurred in the 1800s when soldiers used the rock for target practice and settlers later altered the site.

The carved symbols show birds, canoes, and geometric patterns that offer a window into how the people who created them lived and what mattered to them. The lines you see cut into the rock reflect the daily activities and beliefs of those who made them.

The site is reached by walking a trail from the parking area, with signs explaining what you see along the way. Wear sturdy shoes because the path climbs uphill and the ground can be uneven in places.

The rock face still bears circular bullet marks left by sharpshooters from the Wisconsin First Cavalry during an 1861 target practice session. These scars from that era sit alongside the much older carved symbols, telling a story of how the site was treated across different centuries.

Operator: National Register of Historic Places

GPS coordinates: 44.00067,-89.81794

Latest update: December 12, 2025 12:06