High Cliffs Is an Underrated Wisconsin Park That Will Inspire You This Fall

If you’re looking for a scenic state park to explore this fall, High Cliff State Park in Wisconsin is a fantastic, underrated option. With hiking, fishing, and plenty of history, this is one park you don’t want to miss.

High Cliff State Park is located on Lake Winnebago, Wisconsin’s largest inland lake, and has been in operation as a state park since 1957, after being recognized for its cliffs, undisturbed wet-mesic forest, and more than a mile of shoreline. From 1895 to 1956, the land was used as a limestone quarry fitted with kilns. The lime that was quarried here was shipped across the Midwest to be used in construction. Before that, between 1,000 and 1,500 years ago, nomadic Siouan Native Americans built effigy mounds that still stand today. There are four panther shapes, two buffalo shapes, conical mounds, and a linear mound, all waiting for you to find them.

The park has 1,187 acres and gets its name from the Niagara Escarpment, affectionately called "The Ledge," which was formed by the settling and hardening of lime over eons. It’s also home to several purple martin colonies, the largest North American swallows. Keep a sharp eye, and you might find them.

The observation tower is usually what I recommend starting with. It’s located right by the parking lot, so it is easily accessible and allows for a great overview of the park. High Cliff offers a wide variety of things to do, so while you survey the land from the tower, you can think about whether you want to do a kayak trip, spend the night in one of the campgrounds, do some fishing, or just have a nice picnic lunch.

If hiking is your thing, this is a great spot to explore, as there are tons of great sights. The Lime Kiln Trail is a short 1.9-mile loop that passes by the remaining kilns from the quarry days. They are an impressive thing to see and an awesome bit of history. 

The Red Bird Trail is a 3.6-mile loop that features a beautiful panoramic view of Lake Winnebago. It also contains a statue of Winnebago Tribe Chief Red Bird, which was constructed in 1961.

If you’re looking for wildlife, check out the Butterfly Pond Trail, a 1.3-mile loop that’s named for its shape, which takes the form of a butterfly’s wings. Deer sightings are common, but if you’re lucky, you might be able to spot a fox or woodchuck.

Overall, High Cliff State Park is a fantastic visit, whether just for an afternoon or a weekend. With plenty of history and wildlife to explore, this park is a must-visit this fall.

If you do any hiking, I recommend downloading the AllTrails app on your phone so that you can have easy access to maps, trail information, as well as curated lists on the best hikes in your area. 

Feeling inspired? Try planning your own trip using Only In Your State’s itinerary planner.