Roche-A-Cri State Park

4.18

77 reviews

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

40 campsites

Season

Access and some faci...

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Allowed

RV Friendly

Opens Wisconsin DNR site

Get Directions

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

40 campsites

Season

Access and some faci...

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Allowed

RV Friendly

Opens Wisconsin DNR site

Get Directions

Roche-A-Cri State Park

No fees available

Campsite Fees

State park vehicle admission pass required (per visitor reports).

Standard Site Fee$0.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

Total Campsite Fees$0.00

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What Campers Say

4.18

Satisfactory

Based on 77 reviews

634 Google reviews

Most mentioned

viewsquietpeacefulclean

Some mention

bugsmosquitoes

"Reviewers consistently praise the spectacular view from the top of Roche‑A‑Cri Mound, the park’s quiet, wooded character, petroglyphs, and well‑maintained trails. Common positives include cleanliness, friendly staff, and a small, peaceful campground; common negatives are rustic facilities (vault toilets, no showers), mosquitoes in warm months, occasional trail/overlook closures, and spotty cell service for some carriers."

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Best Time to Camp at Roche-A-Cri State Park

Plan your visit with the seasons in mind. From late spring through early fall, mosquitoes can be quite active on the wooded trails, so pack your bug spray for maximum comfort. Winter transforms the park into a quieter destination; some roads, trails, and the stairway to the overlook may close seasonally, and winter visitors should be prepared to park in designated winter lots and hike in. Check current conditions before your visit to ensure trails and facilities are accessible.

Best

Spring (Mar-May)

Wildflowers bloom, mild temperatures, fewer crowds. Great for hiking and photography.

Summer (Jun-Aug)

Peak season with warm days. Most facilities open. Reserve ahead.

Fall (Sep-Nov)

Beautiful fall colors, cooler temps, quieter campgrounds. Ideal for peaceful trips.

Winter (Dec-Feb)

Off-season, limited services. Check for closures before visiting.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Access and some facilities/trails may be seasonally or weather dependent; reviewers report closures of roads/trails in colder seasons or after heavy rain—check park before arrival.

About Roche-A-Cri State Park

Tucked away in central Wisconsin, Roche-A-Cri State Park offers a peaceful escape centered around a dramatic 300-foot sandstone bluff that rises unexpectedly from the surrounding landscape. This intimate, rustic campground welcomes tent campers and RV enthusiasts seeking a quiet retreat among towering pines and hardwoods, with the promise of ancient petroglyphs and sweeping views from the summit observation deck.

A small, no-frills Wisconsin State Park campground offering tent and RV sites in a wooded setting; no cabins or glamping options are mentioned in the reviews.

Historical SignificanceThe park contains prehistoric rock art (petroglyphs/pictographs) at the base of the bluff, which is a regularly noted attraction for visitors.

Weather and SeasonsPlan your visit with the seasons in mind. From late spring through early fall, mosquitoes can be quite active on the wooded trails, so pack your bug spray for maximum comfort. Winter transforms the park into a quieter destination; some roads, trails, and the stairway to the overlook may close seasonally, and winter visitors should be prepared to park in designated winter lots and hike in. Check current conditions before your visit to ensure trails and facilities are accessible.

Natural Features and SceneryThe park's crown jewel is the striking Roche-A-Cri Mound, a 300-foot sandstone outcrop that commands attention from miles around. A wooden stairway winds its way to the top, rewarding climbers with panoramic views from the observation platform. Along the way and at the base, you'll discover prehistoric petroglyphs and pictographs etched into the rock faces—silent messages from those who walked these trails centuries ago. The landscape weaves between shaded hardwood and pine forests and open prairie, while a cold, clear creek near the picnic areas invites wading on warm afternoons.

Geological RegionSandstone bluff (Roche‑A‑Cri Mound)

Campsite details

Total Campsites40 campsites

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive are not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Open and Closed SeasonAccess and some facilities/trails may be seasonally or weather dependent; reviewers report closures of roads/trails in colder seasons or after heavy rain—check park before arrival.

Reservation PlatformsGoingToCamp (https://wisconsin.goingtocamp.com)

Amenities available

Potable water

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Dump station

Cell phone service

Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Primary activities are hiking the park's network of trails and climbing the stairway to the Roche-A-Cri Mound overlook, viewing prehistoric petroglyphs/pictographs, picnicking, and light creek wading. The park is also used for wildlife and wildflower viewing, and has a playground and picnic shelter for family visits.

Hiking

Multiple maintained trails (Acorn, Chickadee, Prairie, etc.) through mixed hardwoods, pine and prairie. The stairway to the mound is ~300+ steps (commonly cited as 303) and leads to an observation platform with expansive views; some trails or the stairway may be seasonally or temporarily closed.

Wildlife viewing

Campground rules

Pets are allowed
Fire rings are reported at campsites; specific fire restriction policies are not provided—check Wisconsin DNR for current restrictions.
Quiet hours are Not specified by official sources; reviewers report quiet hours exist but are sometimes not enforced at night.

Hazards

General hazardsHeavy mosquitoes (late spring–fall), ticks and poison ivy reported; bees/wasps reported by some visitors; the stair climb to the overlook is strenuous (≈300+ steps) and can be physically challenging; spotty cell coverage (best on Verizon/AT&T, poor on T‑Mobile) and areas of stagnant muddy water that are buggy.

Weather at Roche-A-Cri State Park

-5

°F

Dec 14

Sunday

Clear sky

Precipitation: 0%

Humidity: 59%

Wind: 9.6 mph

Clear sky

Weather History

Weather data powered by Open-Meteo

Detailed 7-Day Forecast

Reveal forecast

Good to know

Common complaintsMosquitoes and bugs in summer and early fall; lack of showers and only vault toilets; occasional closures of stairs/overlooks or trails; some reports of quiet-hours not being enforced and a few staff/service complaints; spotty cell coverage for some carriers.

Campground Map

Roche-A-Cri State Park

Driving directionsPark entrance is right off the highway; the park road leads directly to the sandstone petroglyphs and campground.

Accessible directly from a nearby highway (entrance immediately off the highway).

Reviews from booking and map sources

4.2

77 reviews

Satisfactory

Roche-A-Cri State Park is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

Reviewers consistently praise the spectacular view from the top of Roche‑A‑Cri Mound, the park’s quiet, wooded character, petroglyphs, and well‑maintained trails. Common positives include cleanliness, friendly staff, and a small, peaceful campground; common negatives are rustic facilities (vault toilets, no showers), mosquitoes in warm months, occasional trail/overlook closures, and spotty cell service for some carriers.

Review Summaries

Based on 77 reviews

What Campers Love

Spectacular panoramic views from the ~303‑step stairway to the mound; unique petroglyphs/pictographs; clean, well‑maintained trails; quiet, wooded campsites and family-friendly amenities (playground,...

Based on 77 reviews

Common Concerns

• **Mosquitoes** in summer and even mid‑September are a frequent complaint; some visitors cut hikes short because “no amount of bug spray worked.”[1] • **Rustic facilities**: no showers and pit...

Based on 77 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Bring bug spray, water, and basic supplies; be prepared for a strenuous ~300‑step climb if you plan to go to the overlook; check park alerts for trail or stairway closures before visiting; consider...

Based on 77 reviews