Lizard Mound state Park - Farmington, WI
Lizard Mound State Park 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.
In the spring of 2022 the park was transferred back to ownership and management by the Wisconsin DNR. New signage was put in place, and, as of winter 2025, a state park sticker is required for access.
On recent visits, the audio part of the educational displays were 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 any longer. Perhaps they will return eventually as well.
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.
A mile-long walking trail weaves throughout the park, passing the linear, conical, lizard and bird shaped mounds. It passes through both prairie and woodland, and is an easy trek. Springtime brings wildflower blooms like jack-in-the-pulpit, trillium, and mayapple. Come summer, blooming native milkweed plants are plentiful on the prairie, with Monarch butterflies hovering above. Gray catbirds, American robins, goldfinches, and red-bellied Woodpeckers are just some of the songbirds spotted in the lush green landscape here.
While spring and summer are beautiful in the park, autumn truly shines. The first time I visited in fall a few years ago I was nearly dumbstruck by its golden beauty. Pulling into the parking lot from the entrance drive we were greeted by a cascade of falling yellow maple leaves. Autumn leaves accented the effigy mounds so perfectly, and the range of autumn color throughout the park was simply stunning.
No matter the season, a sense of peace can definitely be felt here.
Park Hours: Open daily - 6am to 11pm
Admission: A State Park sticker is required
Hunting is prohibited.
Winter Access: the main gate is closed from November 1 to March 31, and the entrance road/gate are closed.
However, parking is allowed at the main entrance and winter walk-ins allowed.
Location: 2121 County Hwy A, Town of Farmington, WI (Washington County)
For more information, click here and here.
In the spring of 2022 the park was transferred back to ownership and management by the Wisconsin DNR. New signage was put in place, and, as of winter 2025, a state park sticker is required for access.
On recent visits, the audio part of the educational displays were 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 any longer. Perhaps they will return eventually as well.
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.
A mile-long walking trail weaves throughout the park, passing the linear, conical, lizard and bird shaped mounds. It passes through both prairie and woodland, and is an easy trek. Springtime brings wildflower blooms like jack-in-the-pulpit, trillium, and mayapple. Come summer, blooming native milkweed plants are plentiful on the prairie, with Monarch butterflies hovering above. Gray catbirds, American robins, goldfinches, and red-bellied Woodpeckers are just some of the songbirds spotted in the lush green landscape here.
While spring and summer are beautiful in the park, autumn truly shines. The first time I visited in fall a few years ago I was nearly dumbstruck by its golden beauty. Pulling into the parking lot from the entrance drive we were greeted by a cascade of falling yellow maple leaves. Autumn leaves accented the effigy mounds so perfectly, and the range of autumn color throughout the park was simply stunning.
No matter the season, a sense of peace can definitely be felt here.
Park Hours: Open daily - 6am to 11pm
Admission: A State Park sticker is required
Hunting is prohibited.
Winter Access: the main gate is closed from November 1 to March 31, and the entrance road/gate are closed.
However, parking is allowed at the main entrance and winter walk-ins allowed.
Location: 2121 County Hwy A, Town of Farmington, WI (Washington County)
For more information, click here and here.
All photos, blog posts, and content are copyright (c) 2014-2024 Kimberly Mackowski, unless otherwise noted. |
|