Lizard Mound state Park - Farmington, WI
It's easy to pass by the entrance to Lizard Mound State Park, as the long-standing park sign is no longer visible from County Hwy A. The sign has been removed, since this historic location no longer belongs to the Washington County Parks System. Just this spring the park was transferred back to ownership and management by the Wisconsin DNR. A new sign is not yet in place, however, there is a small State Park Boundary sign in the grasses near the entrance.
Lizard Mound is a 22-acre historical park, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970, and stands as the best preserved effigy mounds in the state of Wisconsin. It was first designated as a state park in 1950. Management of the park was taken over by Washington County in 1980. It was a popular field trip location. Both I and my sister recall visiting the site on field trips during our middle school years. When I first returned just a few years ago, I discovered the added interpretive center with educational displays and signage, and audio exhibits that tell the story of the mounds.
When we visited again this past weekend, the audio part of the educational displays was not working. Hopefully, repair of this excellent feature will be part of the new state park management plan. The visuals are still quite helpful. I did notice that the signs that normally preface each mound were not in place. Perhaps they will return as well. I hope so.
The mile-long walking trail weaves throughout the park, passing the linear, conical, lizard and bird shaped mounds. The trail passes through prairie and woodland. Blooming Native Milkweed plants are plentiful in the prairie, Monarch butterflies hovering above. Gray Catbirds, American Robins, Goldfinches, and Red-bellied Woodpeckers were just some of the songbirds encountered along our walk. A sense of peace can definitely be felt here.
These effigy mounds are unique to southern Wisconsin, the ancestral homeland of the Ho-Chunk people. This is sacred ground, and should be treated as such. Please remember that walking on the mounds is prohibited, and it is illegal to disturb archaeological sites on state park grounds without a permit.
Park Hours: May 1 through November 1: 6am to 11pm daily
Winter Access: the main gate is closed, and roads are not maintained at this time. However, walk-ins are allowed.
Admission: NO Fee or Park Sticker are required.
Location: 2121 County Hwy A, Town of Farmington, WI (Washington County)
For more information, click here and here.
Lizard Mound is a 22-acre historical park, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970, and stands as the best preserved effigy mounds in the state of Wisconsin. It was first designated as a state park in 1950. Management of the park was taken over by Washington County in 1980. It was a popular field trip location. Both I and my sister recall visiting the site on field trips during our middle school years. When I first returned just a few years ago, I discovered the added interpretive center with educational displays and signage, and audio exhibits that tell the story of the mounds.
When we visited again this past weekend, the audio part of the educational displays was not working. Hopefully, repair of this excellent feature will be part of the new state park management plan. The visuals are still quite helpful. I did notice that the signs that normally preface each mound were not in place. Perhaps they will return as well. I hope so.
The mile-long walking trail weaves throughout the park, passing the linear, conical, lizard and bird shaped mounds. The trail passes through prairie and woodland. Blooming Native Milkweed plants are plentiful in the prairie, Monarch butterflies hovering above. Gray Catbirds, American Robins, Goldfinches, and Red-bellied Woodpeckers were just some of the songbirds encountered along our walk. A sense of peace can definitely be felt here.
These effigy mounds are unique to southern Wisconsin, the ancestral homeland of the Ho-Chunk people. This is sacred ground, and should be treated as such. Please remember that walking on the mounds is prohibited, and it is illegal to disturb archaeological sites on state park grounds without a permit.
Park Hours: May 1 through November 1: 6am to 11pm daily
Winter Access: the main gate is closed, and roads are not maintained at this time. However, walk-ins are allowed.
Admission: NO Fee or Park Sticker are required.
Location: 2121 County Hwy A, Town of Farmington, WI (Washington County)
For more information, click here and here.
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