It seems like a long drive from Highway 12 on County C to Natural Bridge State Park although it is only 11 miles. You will travel a country road through the street corner towns of Leland and Denzer on a twisting path that seems especially designed for sport coupes and open tops.

When you arrive the park seems small and unassuming. There are no attendants to greet you, however park rangers often check the park for stickers, etc. You will  need your Wisconsin State Parks Sticker. If you did not get one before hand you can get a day pass from a yellow self-service box located by the information board at the park.

Natural Bridge State Park was established in 1973. It totals about 530 acres, including a 60-acre scientific area. A self-guided nature trail explains the many ways native plants were used through out history by Native Americans & the first European settlers of this area. A two mile long hiking trail is located in the woods on the other side of the highway. There is a small picnic area but you may not camp at this park.

We visited the park to get these photographs on Saturday, April 25. Although the buds on the trees were just breaking, May Apples rising over a foot tall covered the ground in large patches. Small spring flowers littered the ground in violet and white. We were happy to see a few families had come to visit the park even at this early date.

writing Just below the bridge under a small outcropping is one of the oldest known sites where people had lived in the Midwest. It is believed that people were living at Natural Bridge from 10,000 to 12,000 years ago! The earliest estimates of human occupation are between 9000 and 8000 B.C. Animal remains identified include 15 mollusk species and 50 vertebrate species. Of special interest are the remains of passenger pigeon, turkey, elk, wolf, bobcat, fisher, marten, and mountain lion.

Over the many years since then, people have carved their names and initials into the soft sand stone and you can still see soot stains from the fires of the original residents down through history to those today sneaking in for an overnighter.

We are sure that you will find a visit to Natural Bridge to be well worth the drive. Just put the top down, lean back in your seat, and drive. . .