The park is situated in the Driftless Area, a region of Wisconsin that escaped glaciation during the last Ice Age.
The natural bridge formation was created by the gradual erosion of the sandstone bedrock by wind and water.
The park provides habitat for diverse local flora and fauna typical of the Wisconsin River valley bluffs.
It remains one of the few publicly accessible natural sandstone arches in the state.
Pier Natural Bridge Park features a rare, naturally occurring sandstone arch spanning 25 feet high and 20 feet wide. The park encompasses 30 acres of rugged woodland terrain located within the unglaciated Driftless Area of southwestern Wisconsin. A maintained trail system leads visitors from the base of the rock formation to the top of the natural bridge. The park also provides access to a picnic area and primitive restroom facilities. Geological erosion created the arch over millennia, leaving behind unique sandstone formations embedded in the hillside. The park is managed by the Richland County Parks Commission.
The base of the natural bridge looking upward through the arch to capture the scale of the formation.
Wear sturdy, closed-toe hiking shoes as the terrain to the top of the bridge is uneven and can be slippery.
Bring your own drinking water, as there are no potable water sources within the park.
Visit on a weekday if you prefer to experience the geological site without weekend crowds.
Do not attempt to climb or rappel on the face of the sandstone arch, as it is fragile and structurally protected.
The park is generally closed during the winter months due to inaccessible road conditions.
Stay on marked trails to prevent erosion and preserve the integrity of the fragile sandstone formations.
