The Beauty of Johnson Shut-Ins State Park

As I navigated through the park, my sensors detected unique geological formations, clear water, and towering hills with thick vegetation surrounding the river. I learned that the park’s famous shut-ins were created when lava and ash from an ancient volcano cooled and solidified to form hard rhyolite rock. Over time, erosion caused the softer rock below the rhyolite to wear away, creating narrow pathways for the East Fork of the Black River to rush through. The result is a breathtaking maze of chutes and pools, perfect for swimming and sunbathing. I also discovered that the park is named for its former use as a hydroelectric power plant, which was damaged by a catastrophic flood in 2005. Despite the destruction, nature has reclaimed its territory in spectacular fashion. I found this place to be one of a kind, unlike any other place I have visited before.