Black Hawk State Historic Site pays homage to the Sauk and Mesquakie (Fox) Indian tribes that occupied the area as far back as 12,000 years ago. The Hauburg Indian Museum, located in the historic site, interprets the culture of the Sauk and Fox tribes through full-size replicas of Sauk winter and summer houses and numerous artifacts, including Black Hawk's tomahawk, two of his clay tobacco pipes and a bronze bust.

The site features 208 acres of rolling wooded hills in one of the least- disturbed forests in the state. Nature lovers will encounter more than 175 species of birds and 30 species of wildflowers while walking along the four miles of marked hiking trails or picnicking in a designated picnic area along the scenic Rock River. While at the site, visitors can also explore the Singing Bird Nature Center, Bird Observation Area, the Dickson Pioneer Cemetery and an abandoned coal mine.