Parks
Nestled in the unglaciated hills and narrow valleys of Wisconsin’s scenic Southwest, Richland County is full of natural wonders, historic sites, homes and commercial buildings crafted in the 19th century. In Richland County you will find a warehouse designed by the county’s most famous son, widely acclaimed as the greatest architect of the 20th Century, Frank Lloyd Wright.
Richland County’s scenery is stunning. Rivers and streams flow through green valleys between towering wooded bluffs and hills; prosperous family farmsteads wrested from the forest more than 150 years ago paint geometric crop patterns across the valleys and rolling hillsides. Spectacular geologic formations like Elephant Rock, Natural Bridge, and Steamboat Rock spring-up unexpectedly from the landscape and Wisconsin’s largest onyx cave, Eagle Cave, tunnels through it.
Richland Center, the County Seat, is small town mid-America at its best. In the city’s downtown historic district, the spirit of Frank Lloyd Wright keeps company with modern merchants serving present day needs in the same buildings he and his father shopped in a century ago. Here, visitors will find the Park Hotel built in 1873; the County Courthouse built in 1889 with its marble pillared portico and multi-gabled clock tower standing tall for all to set their watches by; and more. Nearby, along quiet tree-lined streets, visitors will find dozens of exquisite architectural reminders of the past; pristinely restored and preserved homes dating from the 1850’s through the early Twentieth Century in a range of styles, including American Foursquare, Cape Cod, Greek Revival and Tudor designs.
Picturesque pioneer churches, standing bright against green hills in verdant valleys, grace the countryside. Rural town and village main streets host a range of commercial establishments, specialty and antique stores, feed and farm supply emporiums, many housed in restored 19th century buildings. In most of the county’s rural settlement, visitors will find pioneer and late 19th Century homes standing proudly next to more recent residences constructed in styles reminiscent of their century-old neighbors.
Outdoor enthusiasts will find a world of activity in every season of the year; including camping, hiking, cycling, boating, equestrian trail riding, canoeing the Kickapoo, Pine and Wisconsin Rivers, hunting, fishing, swimming, cross country skiing, ice skating, snowmobiling, wildlife observation, bird watching, and photography.
Richland County’s woods and grasslands host an abundance of game birds and animals. This is one of Wisconsin’s best and favorite areas for deer, pheasant and turkey hunting. The area’s healthy rabbit, squirrel, coyote and fox populations also challenge and reward skillful hunters.
Located an hour away from Madison, La Crosse and the Illinois and Iowa State borders, Richland County is easily accessible from every direction. The trip to Richland County is scenic and definitely worth experiencing!