Tower Hill State Park Trail

Tower Hill State Park is a small state park located in Spring Green WI along the Wisconsin River. There are 2 miles of trails in the park. You can take the Old Ox Trail to the top of the bluff to see how lead shot was made in the mid-1800s, and enjoy panoramic views.  The wooden shaft and the smelter house at the top originally built in 1831, have been rebuilt and displays show how shot was made when the tower was in operation. A picnic area, hiking trails, canoe landing and a small campground are also available. The trailhead is located near the shelter in the large parking lot. There are several ways to access the trail from the trailhead, but the most direct route up to the shot tower is to go straight. This is the steepest part of the trail, but heading back down is easier. You’ll see evidence of old stone structures in the woods along the trail of old buildings. At the top of the trail hang to the left to see the shot tower. The shot tower is a building that you can enter and watch an information video and see the chute down to the bottom of the bluff. There are beautiful views of the driftless area at the top of the bluff as well. There is a small spur trail down to just below the shot tower, which used to connect down to the trail to the tunnel, it is no longer a connecting trail, but it is neat to see the rocks along the bluff before heading back down. From the shot tower you can take the trail back down to the trailhead and parking lot. To see the tunnel, you’ll need to walk from the trailhead over to another trailhead located between camp sites 8 & 9. You’ll follow this trail along the bluff down to the river. Be cautious along the trail, it is chain link fence on the drop-off side and very narrow. During the summer months there is often lots of poison ivy, please be cautious along the trail. You’ll come to stairs that will take you down to a split in the trail, take the trail to the left to see the old tunnel. Its fun to check it out and go inside if you’re brave enough! The tunnel is closed off a portion of the way in. To head back, you can take the trail back the way you came, or back at the split go straight for a gentler way back. If you chose this way, you’ll come to a split, if you go right you’ll head back up as if you’re heading to the shot tower, and you’ll come across the trail you took up to see the shot tower. If you head left you’ll take a loop back around to the parking lot, and there is a gazebo along the trail. Due to the park being located along bluffs, there are some steep portions of trail and some elevation gain. Recommend little kids or early walkers have a carrier to climb into if they get tired. Also note during the summer this park is prone to having lots of mosquitoes, be sure to bring insect repellent! Here is a map of the park: https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/name/towerhill/pdfs/thparkmap.pdf Specific distances of trail segements: About two miles of trails meander through Tower Hill State Park.