Last summer we took a trip to hike and camp at the park. High Cliff State Park has over 26 miles of trails including the Bike and Horse trails, Forest Management Trail, Butterfly Pond Trail, Indian Mound Trail and the Lime-Kiln Trail which is the one I hiked this past Thursday with friends and family. In all, Wisconsin has 230 miles of the escarpment. Effigy mounds are a fascinating and mysterious glance into the lives and culture of the original people of this land. The park is named for the high limestone cliffs created by the Niagara Escarpment. And because of its location, there are plenty of winter activities too, like skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling. 1200 x 1600 jpeg 607kB. You decide to start planning your weekend trip. This will lead you to several different trail options, all varying in length, and all bringing you to beautiful scenic spots. The magnificent 12-foot statue of Winnebago Indian Chief Red Bird, standing high on a huge granite rock, overlooks the lake and is a popular destination in the park. Change ). Sherwood, WI Easy. My plan was to explore the High Cliff Escarpment State Natural Area via the Lime Kiln Trail. At 215 square miles, Lake Winnebago is the largest lake entirely inside the state of Wisconsin and High Cliffs is the only state run park on the lake. It is open for hiking, dog walking and snowshoeing. Reviewed May 10, 2016. High Cliff State Park is one of those. Off to our favorite state park this morning High Cliff in Sherwood, WI. Rock can be wet and muddy in cracks in the early season. Not knowing anything about this historical figure, I attempted to research a little more. Total Ascent: 150' How Hard: Easy. High Cliff State Park has 7 hiking trails. From the vantage point of the cliff and especially from the 40-foot observation tower, you can see the cities of Appleton, Oshkosh, Neenah, Menasha and Kaukauna. ), Wisconsin’s Rib Mountain State Park — Midwest Mountain Hiking and an Old Quarry, Wisconsin’s Council Grounds State Park — A River Park with a Dam, Merrill, WI, Donald County Park, Dane County, Madison, Wisconsin, A Short Hike to a Big Rock in the State Capital Area. High Rocks State Park, a section of Ralph Stover State Park, offers visitors some of the best views in Eastern Pennsylvania. High Cliff State Park, Sherwood: See 147 reviews, articles, and 164 photos of High Cliff State Park, ranked No.1 on Tripadvisor among 5 attractions in Sherwood. Beautiful photos – thanks! This trail begins at the lime kiln ruins. The park has amazing bluffs and rock formations. Playing next. Camping. Starting from the family campground, we hiked the Indian Mound Trail, to the Red Bird Trail, to the Lime Kiln Trail. This self-guided, limestone-surfaced interpretive trail showcases effigy mounds built by Native Americans 1,500 years ago. Review of High Cliff State Park. After a minute of walking, we noticed the trees staring back at us. The trail I suggest taking is the yellow/red loop. The entire escarpment runs for 650 miles through Wisconsin, Michigan, and Ontario. Learn more here if you’re interested. T19N-R18E, Sections 1 NW¼, 2 SE¼. It was a barred owl! It was… High Cliff Escarpment features both shaded and exposed cliff habitats along the Niagara escarpment, talus slopes supporting wet-mesic forest, more than a mile of Lake Winnebago shoreline, and outstanding examples of conical and effigy mounds in the level woodland … This 1,187-acre treasure near Sherwood, Wisconsin, in Calumet County is the only state-owned recreation area on Lake Winnebago. About 1/3 of the way into the trail, you have the option to continue straight or turn to complete the smaller loop. High Cliff State Park has 112 regular (family) campsites, 32 of them with electric hookups, and eight group sites. Camping Primitive yes Electric Sites yes. Hike Length: 3.4 miles. This kiln operated in the area from 1855 to 1956. Boating Launch Ramps yes. This trail begins at the lime kiln ruins. ( Log Out /  Last summer we took a trip to hike and camp at the park. High Cliff trails offer different levels of challenge to hikers.e All trails are looped and vary in length. We did not camp, but the camp sites looked good, decent spacing in a very … Stickers and trail passes can be purchased online or at individual properties. Once the trail turns away from the lake and begins to loop back, it starts climbing up the escarpment in a combination of hill and steps. The Forest Management trail starts at the parking lot east of the pavilion. Hiking High Cliff State Park and Lake Winnebago To usher in the month of April, I ventured off to HighCliffState Parkin Sherwood, Wisconsin, which is located on the northeast tip of Lake Winnebago, to satisfy my urge to do something outside on a sunny 50 degree day. Guests are treated to over 12 miles of paved trails. After passing through the last section of the ruins, the trail enters the forest and becomes more focused on the natural beauty of the area. It offers great views of the lake and the cliffs, introduces a variety of local history, and makes for a decent workout. While a lot of the information I found seems to be tainted with a problematic lens, the gist I got was that he was a leader in the Winnebago War against the United States. I’ll leave it at that, but it’s a pretty cool statue to check out. High Cliff State Park - Sherwood, Wisconsin. Winter activities at High Cliff include skiing, fat tire biking, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling. All trails are looped and vary in length. Description Description. www.goodfreephotos.com . Located on the northern shore of Wisconsin’s largest lake, Lake Winnebago, the park is a short 20 minute drive from Appleton. Northeast Region; 79 views. 5 years ago | 0 view. Imagine this. This park is a favorite of kids because of the climbing opportunities offered by the cliffs. High Cliff State Park is a 1,187-acre Wisconsin state park near Sherwood, Wisconsin. 60 Write a comment. High Cliff State Park happens to be one of those parks. Length: 1.7 mile loopDifficulty: Easy to moderate, depending on the loop you select.Description: This trail begins by the ruins of the lime kiln before traveling along the lake shore and either back or up to the top of the escarpment. This is next to the Lake Winnebago. Near the statue is a 40-foot tall wood observation tower. Hikers should stay on marked trails and behind barricades and barriers where they are provided. See all High Cliff State Park trails. I’ve written about other parks dominated by this landscaping feature in my Peninsula State Park and Ledges County Park posts. Tim Rathje reviewed High Cliff Park Trail July 28, 2020 lighthousesforjudy.blogspot.com. foxcitiescvb.wordpress.com. It’s a fun area to explore, both from above and below the rocks. There are a lot of trails with Native American history and Indian burial mounds. ( Log Out /  With a variety of trail lengths and bailout points, it can be as difficult or easy as you want. Hiking High Cliff State Park and Lake Winnebago. High Cliff State Park - Sherwood, Wisconsin. I hiked the Lime Kiln Trail a couple years ago. Enter your email address to follow me via email. and 1500 C.E. If you’re interested, check out this information put out by the Wisconsin DNR on the lime industry at High Cliff. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Wisconsin’s High Cliff State Park — Hiking the Niagara Escarpment with views of Lake Winnebago, Wisconsin Dells, Chapel Gorge Trail and Rocky Arbor State Park, fall throwback, Wisconsin’s Governor Dodge State Park — A Waterfall, A Canyon, and Farming History, Wisconsin’s Magnolia Bluff County Park, A Wisconsin State Natural Area, Country Views from the Bluff, Blackhawk Lake Recreation Area, Highland, Wisconsin — A Popular Man-Made Lake and Fishing Location (Bonus: Puppy Photos! Across from the parking lot on Tory Road, you will find the main trailhead. Use caution when on steep bluffs or near cli ffs. Length: 3.4 mile linearDifficulty: EasyDescription: This trail travels from the family campground along the top of the Niagara Escarpment to the statue of Chief Red Bird. The final push of the trail is a stairway leading up to the Red Bird Trail and back to the campground. These guys roost in the trees during the day while they rest for a night of hunting small mammals. In addition there is a tower to climb for a great view of Lake Winnebago. In my experience, those features are often water, hills, and history. One of the panther shaped mounds is 285 feet long! it then makes a steep climb to cliff tops and loops back around and has many interesting rock formations and great views of the lake. Your localized Hiking weather forecast, from AccuWeather, provides you with the tailored weather forecast that you need to plan your day's activities It truly is nature at its best. Hartman Creek State Park. It eventually becomes the most famous feature of the escarpment and one of the most famous waterfalls in the world, Niagara Falls. The park features miles of well-maintained trails up the cliff, and a beach. During the trip we had the chance to both hike and camp at the park. It is the only state-owned recreation area located on Lake Winnebago. It is open for hiking, dog walking and snowshoeing. Easy/Intermediate. In addition there is a park area with a grassy area for picnics and frisbee. The trails are very interesting, they are not just flat, there are decent elevation changes and really nice views. We are the volunteers who enjoy, help preserve, and enhance this natural resource known as High Cliff State Park, named for the limestone cliff of the Niagara Escarpment that figures prominently here. Hikers should stay on marked trails and behind barricades and barriers where they are provided. Located on the northern shore of Wisconsin’s largest lake, Lake Winnebago, the park is a short 20 minute drive from Appleton. It is also the only state-owned recreational area on Lake Winnebago which is Wisconsin's largest lake. Trails in High Cliff State Park - 11. High Cliff State Park, Sherwood: See 146 reviews, articles, and 164 photos of High Cliff State Park, ranked No.1 on Tripadvisor among 5 attractions in Sherwood. If you’re lucky, the park you select might have all three. When the trails are snow-covered, certain trails in the park are designated for skiing. Camp in the only state-owned recreational area on Lake Winnebago. Just like any other park, there are lots of opportunities for hiking, biking, horseback riding, boating, and swimming in the summer. Lighthouses, Birds, Wildlife, Oh My! Winter Activities yes. What features of the park do you hope to hike in, up, or around? The name comes from the cliffs of the Niagara Escarpment on the eastern shore of the lake. Awesome Travel. I have hiked on all the trails at High Cliff State Park and none of them are as enjoyable for me as this. Fun fact is that High Cliff got its name from the limestone cliff of Niagara Escarpment which also is side by side of Lake Winnebago. Reflecting back this hike was very rewarding. Office buildings, visitor centers, observation towers, enclosed shelters and playgrounds remain closed. Portions of the trail can get quite steep. Snowshoeing is allowed anywhere in High Cliff except on designed ski trails. If you do go off trail, make sure to be extra careful as the rocks can become slippery. From the vantage point of the cliff and especially from the 40-foot observation tower, you can see the cities of Appleton, Oshkosh, Neenah, Menasha and Kaukauna. More information about hiking with your dog at High Cliff State Park will be available in my upcoming book, A Dog Owner's Guide to Hiking Wisconsin's State Parks. This trail is marked with yellow dots and compares managed and unmanaged woodlots. I have hiked on all the trails at High Cliff State Park and none of them are as enjoyable for me as this. The lime kiln trail is 2.3 miles. From the end of the Red Bird Trail, we took the access trail down the hill to the parking lot near the Lime Kiln trailhead. Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. … Add Your Trails. You’re thinking about the upcoming weekend and how you would love to get out and hike. Potawatomi State Park. The lime processed here was used in the creation of a variety of products including plaster and cement. 5:05. The trail circles a group of effigy mounds. The lime kiln trail is 2.3 miles. High Cliff State Park is the only state-owned recreational area on Lake Winnebago, Wisconsin's largest lake. We logged 8 miles today. High Cliff State Park happens to be one of those parks. Explorers will also find a … A state trail pass is required on certain trails. 124 acres. These trails range from 0.2 to 10.6 miles in length. The Indian Mound trail starts at the Indian mound lot off park road and near site 14 in the family campground. The smaller loop is .9 miles long and the larger loop is 1.7 miles long. The park gets its name from the limestone cliff of the Niagara Escarpment, which parallels the eastern shore of Lake Winnebago. As you climb, the limestone cliffs become more pronounced. The trail eventually opens up to one of the park’s picnic areas. #HighCliffStatePark #NiagaraEscarpment #petbeach. This is a wonderful family-friendly hike and has many cool attractions for the young hiker. Like most WI State Parks High, it is very well maintained. Given the views from High Point Cliff, you can be sure that you’ll share this place with others, especially in season. Report. An ok place to climb on an afternoon as well as doing some drytooling. As a bonus, there are Indian mounds along some of the trails. High Cliff offers many activities from biking, to hiking, to exploring, to swimming. 97 Write a comment. Recent Posts See All. https://bithiker.wordpress.com/2019/04/08/high-cliffs-state-park-hike-to-the-chief/. The park got its name from cliffs of the Niagara Escarpment, a land formation east of the shore of Lake Winnebago that stretches north through northeast Wisconsin, Upper Michigan, and Ontario to Niagara Falls and New York State. The Indian Mound train has numerous Native American effigy mounds in excellent condition. This makes it a popular destination in the summer for locals and non-locals alike. Routes are top roped from trees above. It truly is nature at its best. Browse more videos. For more information, please see: Chatwith customer service M-F 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. © Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources | Site requirements | Accessibility | Legal | Privacy | Employee resources, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The Butterfly Pond trail starts at the parking lot off Lower Cliff Road and goes around the Butterfly Pond. A vehicle admission sticker is required to visit state park system properties. This is one of those parks that I would love to return to again and again. It’s a Tuesday night in summer. The views from the top are quite spectacular. Easy. The Red Bird trail starts at the tower parking lot. Trails.com member Aaron B. recently completed Lime-Kiln Trail. High Cliff State Park…a geological gem – Explore Fox Cities. We started from the north side of the family campground. New for 2005, the park also has a specially-designed accessible cabin for people with disabilities. This mostly level trail is marked with red dots and travels along the top of the Niagara Escarpment. High Cliff State Park in Wisconsin isn’t like most state parks. High Cliff hiking trails offer different levels of challenge to hikers. : Hiking High Cliff State Park and Lake Winnebago. The Lime-Kiln trail starts at the paved parking lot near the lime kiln ruins and at the stairs near campsite 38. Some drive-up windows may be open for admission purchases. High Cliff is well named; it has really nice hiking trails along the bluffs over Lake Winnebago. This group of mounds was likely built by nomadic woodland tribes between 1000 C.E. All trails are looped and vary in length. Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. This makes it a popular destination in the summer for locals and non-locals alike. On the segment of the Red Bird Trail from the Red Bird Statue to the Family Campground, fat-tire bikers are welcome to explore. High Cliff State Park is an 1187-acre lakefront landscape containing several hiking opportunities, in addition to the highest rated rock climbing in the state. Stay on marked trails and behind barricades and barriers where they are provided. High Cliff State Park is a fantastic hiking opportunity. 1995 Wisconsin State high school swim meet. In this area is a statue honoring Chief Red Bird, chief of the Winnebago Tribe. This area is a west facing limestone cliff ranging from 20 to 35 feet tall in High Cliff State park. Of the original 30 mounds found in the park, today High Cliff has 9 mounds left. Sherwood, WI 2 1.8 mi 2.9 km #2 Overlook Trail. 0.7 mi 1.1 km #1 Indian Mound Trail. Route Type: Loop. This trail is not maintained in the winter. High Cliff State Park is open year round from 6 AM to 11 PM however the park office hours may vary. ( Log Out /  Spread about 1200 acres with over 16 miles of trails in Sherwood village of WI state, there is so much to do from fishing, bicycling, hiking, horseback riding, boating at High Cliff State Park and the best thing have to be Camping. This translates to panoramic views of a beautiful lake at any time of year. Yes, it is abundant with green nature and plentiful wildlife. Length: .6 mile loopDifficulty: EasyDescription: This gentle trail circles the park’s effigy mounds. Within High Cliff State Park, Calumet County. Cracks and ledges on face climbs are all over the cliff with some interesting overhanging areas. Call 1-888-936-7463 (TTY Access via relay - 711) from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. What makes you decide which park you want to visit? Hike up to the top of the cliffs with a 0.6-mile hike. 1600 x 1200 jpeg 493kB. The feature begins (or ends) in Wisconsin’s Waukesha County. This interpretive trail is paved for accessibility and features wetland, prairie and forest ecosystems. This route brought us along the top of the cliff, then down to the lake shore, and then back up the cliff. It features panoramic views of Lake Winnebago, historical limestone quarries, the Chief Red Bird statue and the observation tower. The trails are well-maintained and offer different types of scenery. Hiking, camping, and cooking my way around Wisconsin. Being near the lake, this trail is full of the sights, smells, and sounds of the water. Hiking Trail yes Swimming Beach yes. The trail starts out at the remnants of an old lime kiln and follows the shore of Lake Winnebago for about a mile. I stopped in for a hike on a warm spring day in May. High Cliff hiking trails offer different levels of challenge to hikers. As we were planning to end in the campground, we continued on the longer loop. Stay well away from cli fs that are not protected by a barricade or barrier. 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