Castle Rock Peregrine Falcon Lookout

A Historic Cliff Eyrie

Castle Rock is one of the earliest bluffs where Peregrine Falcons returned to nest along the Upper Mississippi, an iconic eyrie revived through decades of cliff-release conservation. The rugged dolomite face rises hundreds of feet above the river, offering the fastest bird on Earth a commanding perch.

The Mississippi River Valley

Below the cliff, the Mississippi River braids through a mosaic of backwater channels, islands and floodplain forest. A riverside rail line threads the valley floor, tracing the timeless corridor that shaped the towns and commerce of this stretch of the Upper Midwest.

Bluffs of the Driftless Region

The forested bluffs framing this view belong to the Driftless Area, a rare unglaciated landscape of steep limestone ridges and hidden coulees. Their layered rock and dense hardwood canopy make Castle Rock a striking natural landmark overlooking the city of Winona.

Wildlife Watching

Beyond the falcons, the cliff and river corridor host bald eagles, soaring vultures and countless migrating birds that follow the Mississippi Flyway. Patient viewers may catch a peregrine launching from the rock or wheeling above the valley in pursuit of prey.