Belmont Mound State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Belmont Mound State Park |
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IUCN Category III (Natural Monument)
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Belmont Mound State Park, July 2010
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 Belmont Mound State Park
Location in Wisconsin
Belmont Mound State Park
Location in the United States
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| Location | Belmont, Lafayette, Wisconsin, United States |
| Established | 1961 |
| Governing body | Belmont Lions Club |
Belmont Mound State Park is a special place in Wisconsin, United States. It's a state park that protects a tall hill called Belmont Mound. This mound rises about 400-foot (120 m) (that's about 122 meters) above the land around it.
What makes this park unique is that it's not managed by the usual Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Instead, the local Belmont Lions Club takes care of it! The name "Belmont" comes from French words meaning "beautiful mountain."
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Exploring Belmont Mound
Belmont Mound is a fascinating part of Wisconsin's landscape. It's an "outlier" of the Niagara Escarpment. Think of an outlier as a piece of a larger rock formation that got separated. The Niagara Escarpment is a long cliff-like ridge that stretches across North America.
The Driftless Area
The park is located in a special region called the Driftless Area. This area is unique because it was never covered by glaciers during the last Ice Age. Most of Wisconsin was flattened by ice, but the Driftless Area kept its hills and valleys. This makes Belmont Mound and its surroundings very interesting to study.
A Protected Natural Area
In 1981, an important part of the park received extra protection. It became known as Belmont Mound Woods State Natural Area. This means it's a place where nature is especially preserved. It's part of the Wisconsin State Natural Areas Program.
Visiting the Park
Belmont Mound State Park is a great spot for a day trip. It's designed for "day-use only," which means you can visit during the day but there are no campgrounds for overnight stays. You can enjoy picnics there with your family and friends.
Changes to the Park
In the fall of 2021, a big change happened at the park. The old observation tower was taken down. Even without the tower, the park still offers great views and a chance to explore nature.
History Nearby
Just west of the park entrance, you'll find a very important historical site. It's called the First Capitol Historic Site. This is where the very first meeting of the Wisconsin Territory Legislature took place. That historic meeting happened on October 25, 1836. It's a cool place to visit if you want to learn about Wisconsin's early government!
