Hiking the Flint Rock Trail at Blue Mound State Park

The West Observation Tower at Blue Mound State Park

The highest point in Southern Wisconsin, Blue Mound State Park provides soaring views from two observation towers. The Flint Rock Nature Trail begins at the grassy playing field on top of Blue Mound. It is an easy 2-mile loop that trail - and connects to several other popular trails in the park - one leading to the campgrounds, and the other to the pool and splash pad.

The newly constructed pool area is another popular draw to the park and provides a place to cool down after a hike. The Military Ridge State Trail also passes through the town of Blue Mound and connects to the state park.

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Blue Mound is the site of the first European settlement and home in Dane County. At 17 years old Ebenezer Brigham set out from the East Coast to eventually start a small mining operation at Moundville WI. He traveled by canoe along the Allegheny River then flatboat down the Ohio River, and finally walked the rest of the way to St. Louis. He founded Galena Illinois with miner James Johnson. He eventually built the first structure in Dane County - his cabin near Blue Mounds. In case this was not enough to impress his descendants, he also served as magistrate, justice-of-the-peace, postmaster of Moundville, state assemblyman, and as a Colonel in the Black Hawk War.

Signs of the ore which drew Bringham to Blue Mound are apparent on the Flint rock Trail. Tufts of gnarly stone jut out of the hillside marking twists and turns in the trail. Rockhounds and fossil hunters will find plenty of material to investigate.

Blue Mound State Park and the Flint Rock trail are especially popular in Autumn when leaf peepers drive out into the Driftless Area. This hiking trail is an excellent way to experience the changing colors of hardwood forest. From the observation tower you can get a grand bird's eye view of a golden amber tapestry below. While hiking the trail takes you beneath the canopies of maples that burn bright red in late fall.

Blue Mound is an easy place for families with small children who are just beginning to get interested in camping. The hiking trails are easy and short. The new swimming pool and splash pad is a big draw. There is craft shopping and fun restaurants nearby in Mount Horeb. And Blue Mound offers single track mountain biking and access to the Military Ridge State Trail.

The West Observation Tower at Blue Mound State Park

Overview: Flint Rock Nature Trail - Blue Mound State Park

COUNTY: Dane
COMMUNITIES: Blue Mounds

TOTAL MILES: 2-mile loop
DIFFICULTY: Easy

POINTS OF INTEREST: Blue Mound State Park, West Observation Tower, East Observation Tower