Sadlers Creek State Park
Perched on a sandstone bluff high above the Lower Wisconsin River, Tower Hill State Park preserves one of the most unusual pieces of American industrial history—the Helena Shot Tower, built in 1832 to manufacture lead shot by dropping molten lead down a 180-foot vertical shaft carved into the living rock. This compact 77-acre park near Spring Green combines a fascinating chapter of Wisconsin’s lead mining heritage with scenic overlooks of the Driftless Area and access to the Wisconsin River.
The Helena Shot Tower
The shot tower operated from 1832 to 1860, during the height of southwestern Wisconsin’s lead mining boom. The manufacturing process was ingeniously simple: workers melted lead in a smelting house at the top of the 180-foot sandstone bluff, then poured the molten metal through sieves. As the liquid lead fell through the vertical shaft, air resistance shaped it into perfect spheres that cooled and hardened before splashing into a pool of water at the base. The finished shot was collected via a horizontal tunnel at the bottom of the bluff.
The current smelting house and wooden shaft were reconstructed in 1970–71 by the Wisconsin DNR and the Wisconsin Historical Society. The site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Visitors can enter the smelting house to view historical exhibits and videos, and walk into the tunnel at the base of the bluff to see where the shot was collected.
Trails and Overlooks
The park features approximately 2 miles of interconnected trails that climb the 180-foot bluff, connecting the shot tower at the summit with the tunnel entrance and river access below. Though short, the trails are steep in places and reward with panoramic views of the Lower Wisconsin River Valley—a landscape shaped by the last Ice Age that characterizes Wisconsin’s Driftless Area. Look for remnants of old stone structures from the mining era along the woodland paths. Spring wildflowers and fall foliage are highlights.
Camping
A small, seasonal campground sits on a scenic knoll above the Wisconsin River with approximately 15 sites. Sites are first-come, first-served (no reservations accepted). The campground is typically open from mid-May through Columbus Day weekend. Amenities include fire rings, picnic areas, and pit toilets. The setting—surrounded by mature hardwoods with river views—is intimate and quiet.
Wisconsin River Access
A boat/canoe launch provides direct access to the Lower Wisconsin Riverway—one of the longest undammed stretches of river in the Midwest. The river is popular for canoeing, kayaking, and fishing. Combined with nearby attractions like Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin and the town of Spring Green, Tower Hill makes an excellent base for exploring the Driftless Area.
Essential Visitor Information
Tower Hill State Park is located at 5808 County Rd C, Spring Green, WI 53588. The park is open year-round, 6 AM to 11 PM, though the main gate may close during off-season (walk-in access permitted). A Wisconsin State Park vehicle admission sticker is required ($28/year for residents, $38 non-residents, or $8 daily). Contact the park through the Wisconsin DNR website.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Helena Shot Tower (1832–1860) manufactured lead shot by dropping molten lead down a 180-foot vertical shaft carved into a sandstone bluff. Air resistance shaped the falling lead into spheres. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Yes. You can enter the reconstructed smelting house at the top of the bluff to view exhibits and videos, and walk into the horizontal collection tunnel at the base of the bluff.
Yes. A small campground with approximately 15 sites operates first-come, first-served from mid-May through Columbus Day weekend. No reservations are accepted.
The park has about 2 miles of interconnected trails. Though short, they are steep in places as they climb the 180-foot bluff. Allow 1–2 hours to explore the trails, tower, and tunnel.
Yes. A Wisconsin State Park vehicle admission sticker is required. Annual stickers cost $28 for residents and $38 for non-residents. Daily passes are $8.
Yes. A boat and canoe launch provides access to the Lower Wisconsin Riverway, one of the longest undammed river stretches in the Midwest. Popular for canoeing, kayaking, and fishing.
The park is near Spring Green, home to Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin estate, American Players Theatre, and the House on the Rock. The Driftless Area offers exceptional scenic drives and outdoor recreation.
