Carver-Roehl Woods State Natural Area

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Situated on older ground moraine from an earlier episode of Wisconsinan glaciation, Carver-Roehl Woods features scenic limestone cliffs bordered by southern dry-mesic forest. Carved by Spring Brook Creek, a small tributary to Turtle Creek that runs the length of the park, the shaded cliffs support bulblet fern, cliffbrake, clearweed, and Virginia creeper. Along the gently sloping stream bank and bottoms is a mesic forest dominated by large, mature bur oak, white oak, and black cherry with red oak, basswood, sugar maple, scattered black willow, and green ash. A diverse flora is found here - particularly where volunteers have worked to eradicate the non-native invasive garlic mustard. Plants include skunk cabbage, wild leek, Jack-in-the-pulpit, wild ginger, blue cohosh, red fescue, and bloodroot. The upper woods are situated on rolling hills with mostly red, white, and bur oak with cherry, ironwood, sugar maple, and hope hornbeam. Ground flora is comprised of many native species typical to savannas including sharp-lobed hepatica, Robin's plantain, wood betony, smooth rock cress, shooting star, woodland phlox, and rattlesnake-root. Carver-Roehl Woods is owned by Rock County and was designated a State Natural Area in 2011.