Tower Hill State Park
🏆 Wisconsin’s Lead Mining Landmark — Historic shot tower overlooking the Wisconsin River, 19th-century lead mining heritage, and Driftless Area geology
Perched on a sandstone bluff above the Wisconsin River, Tower Hill State Park preserves one of the most unusual industrial relics in the Midwest: a shot tower — a 120-foot vertical shaft drilled straight down through sandstone rock in 1831 to manufacture lead shot by dropping molten lead from the cliff top into cold water at the bottom. The park sits in the heart of Wisconsin’s Driftless Area, the unglaciated region of rolling hills, deep valleys, and exposed rock formations that escaped the flattening effects of the last Ice Age.
Table of Contents
The Shot Tower
The shot tower is a vertical shaft 120 feet deep, hand-drilled through sandstone from the top of the bluff to a tunnel at the base near the Wisconsin River. Built by Daniel Whitney in 1831, it was used to manufacture lead shot by a simple but ingenious process: molten lead was poured through a sieve at the top of the shaft, forming spherical droplets as it fell, and the shot solidified as it plunged into a pool of cold water at the bottom.
📊 Shot Tower Facts
• Depth: 120 feet (vertical shaft through sandstone)
• Built: 1831 by Daniel Whitney
• Construction: Hand-drilled by lead miners
• Process: Molten lead dropped through sieve → spherical shot formed during freefall → solidified in cold water pool at bottom
• Tunnel: Horizontal tunnel at base connects shaft to the bluff face for shot retrieval
• Status: National Historic Landmark
Lead Mining History
The shot tower sits in the heart of the Upper Mississippi Lead Mining District, which drove European-American settlement of southwestern Wisconsin in the 1820s–1840s. Lead deposits in the Galena limestone attracted thousands of miners who created boomtowns across the region. Wisconsin’s nickname — the “Badger State” — comes from the early miners who lived in hillside burrows like badgers.
Hiking & Nature
| Trail | Distance | Difficulty | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shot Tower Trail | 0.5 mi | Easy | Interpretive signs, shaft viewing, bluff overlook |
| Bluff Trail | 1.0 mi | Moderate | Sandstone bluffs, Wisconsin River views |
| Old Ox Trail | 1.5 mi | Moderate | Forest walk, wildlife, historic wagon route |
The bluff overlook provides panoramic views of the Wisconsin River valley — the wide, marshy river corridor stretching between the Driftless Area hills. In fall, the hardwood forests blaze with color.
Camping
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| ⛺ Sites | 15 rustic campsites (no electricity) |
| 🚻 Facilities | Vault toilets, water pump |
| 💰 Rates | $20/night (WI residents), $32/night (non-residents) |
| 📋 Reservations | First-come, first-served (small, fills quickly) |
| 🐕 Pets | Allowed on leash |
Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 📍 Address | 5808 County Hwy C, Spring Green, WI 53588 |
| 📞 Phone | (608) 588-2116 |
| 🕐 Hours | May–October, 6 AM – 11 PM |
| 💰 Entry | WI State Park vehicle sticker required ($13/day or $38/annual) |
| 📡 Cell | Moderate |
Best Time to Visit
| Season | Weather | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 🌸 Spring (May) | 55–70°F | Wildflowers, green-up, spring birds |
| ☀️ Summer (Jun–Aug) | 75–85°F | Full park season, camping, river access |
| 🍂 Fall (Sep–Oct) | 50–70°F | Spectacular Driftless Area fall colors |
| ❄️ Winter | Park closed | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a shot tower?
A shot tower is a tall structure used to manufacture lead shot by dropping molten lead from a height into cold water. At Tower Hill, a 120-foot vertical shaft was drilled through sandstone in 1831. Molten lead dropped through a sieve at the top formed spherical droplets during freefall and solidified in water at the bottom.
Can you go inside the shot tower?
You can view the shaft opening from the top and visit the tunnel entrance at the base. The shaft itself is not open for entry. Interpretive signs explain the shot-making process.
Is there camping?
Yes — 15 rustic campsites (no electricity) on a first-come, first-served basis. The campground is small and fills quickly on summer weekends. Rates: $20/night (WI residents) or $32/night (non-residents).
What is the Driftless Area?
The Driftless Area is a region of southwestern Wisconsin (plus parts of Minnesota, Iowa, and Illinois) that was never flattened by glaciers during the Ice Ages. The result is dramatically different terrain: rolling hills, deep valleys, exposed rock bluffs, and the Wisconsin River corridor.
How close is Spring Green?
Tower Hill is about 3 miles south of Spring Green, which is also home to Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin, American Players Theatre, and the House on the Rock — making for an excellent cultural and natural day trip.
Is there a fee?
Yes — a Wisconsin State Park vehicle admission sticker is required ($13/day or $38/annual for residents). The sticker is valid at all Wisconsin state parks and forests.
What’s nearby?
Spring Green offers Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin, American Players Theatre (outdoor Shakespeare), and the House on the Rock. Governor Dodge State Park (15 miles) has larger camping and swimming. The Wisconsin River provides canoeing and kayaking.
🏭 Visit Tower Hill State Park
Explore a 190-year-old shot tower, camp on sandstone bluffs above the Wisconsin River, and discover the Driftless Area — Wisconsin’s unglaciated geological treasure.
🗺️ WI DNR Park Page
