| Gibraltar Rock State Natural Area | |
| Map: | Wisconsin |
| Map Width: | 220 |
| Type: | Public, State |
| Location: | Lodi, Wisconsin |
| Coords: | 43.3489°N -89.6005°W |
| Created: | 1969 |
| Operator: | Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources |
| Visitation Num: | 73 |
Gibraltar Rock State Natural Area is a natural area in southern Wisconsin, United States, which is in size, and is located along the 1000adj=midNaNadj=mid Ice Age Trail.
Located in Columbia County, Wisconsin, Gibraltar Rock State Natural Area is in size.[1] The Wisconsin River Valley and Lake Wisconsin are located within view of the higher-elevation points in the natural area.[1] The Gibraltar Rock State Natural Area is located along the Ice Age Trail, which is a thousand miles long. It is located from the intersection of Highway 113 and County Highway V in the town of West Point.[2] Wisconsin County Road V runs past the area, with a parking lot located off the road that allows access to it. From there, a walking trail leads off to gain access to Gibraltar Rock.
Early on, the Van Ness family owned the land and had a house on the property. Other early families living in the area includes the Richmond family. During the 1920s, Wisconsin landscape architect Jens Jensen started efforts to protect the area. Forming a group at the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1920, the group was able to acquire the land in 1927. They named the area Richmond Park.[3] The Gibraltar Rock State Natural Area became a Wisconsin-designated natural area in 1969. It was originally owned by the county until 2007, when they transferred ownership to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR).[1] [3] A celebration was held following the transfer of ownership.[4]
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources manages the Gibraltar Rock State Natural Area.[4] Howard Van Ness made several paintings depicting the area prior to its designation as a state natural area.[4] Friends of Gibraltar Rock exists and does "biological indexing of the flora and fauna in the area."[4] The views from the natural area are a major tourist draw.[3] The 1.4miles track for the area does not have wheelchair access.[3] People are not allowed to climb the rocks in the park, though this has not always been the case.[3]
The natural area is located on the outer part of the Magnesian Escarpment[1] /Black River Escarpment,[5] with the soil for the area being glaciated sandy loams, which sit on top of the Galena-Platteville dolomite cap and St. Peter sandstone.[1] Inside the natural area is a 200adj=midNaNadj=mid flat-topped butte called "Gibraltar Rock."[1] It sits above sea level and is the highest point in Columbia County.[4] There is a 0.75miles trail leading up to the Rock.[4]
Cliff goldenrod, columbine, ferns, pale corydalis and red cedar, little blue-stem, side oats grama, prairie drop-seed, blue-eyed grass, bird's foot violet, bergamot, pasque flower, leadplant, aster, whorled milkweed, and prairie smoke are located within the natural area.[1]