State: Wisconsin
Address 1: N7630 State Park Road
City: Sherwood
Zip: 54169
Phone: (920) 989-1106
Open: Open all year
Number of Sites: 152
Electric: 32
Camp URL: http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/parks/specific/highcliff/
Full Hook:
National Park: null
A 125-acre area within the 1,187-acre park is designated as a state natural area, recognizing its excellent cliff environments, an undisturbed wet-mesic forest, and more than a mile of Lake Winnebago shoreline. Effigy mounds are important archaeological features. While the natural offerings of High Cliff State Park are bountiful, it’s a man-made attraction that offers visitors a chance to pause and give thought to the past and future. The attraction is a magnificent 12-foot statue of Winnebago Indian Chief Red Bird, standing high on a huge granite rock.
High Cliff State Park provides family and group camping opportunities (including an accessible cabin for visitors with mobility challenges), playground equipment throughout, and multiple-use trails of varying difficulty. The park has three open picnic shelters and one indoor shelter which can be reserved for group activities. Vehicle admission stickers are required to park in High Cliff State Park. Vehicle admission stickers are available at the park office or use self-registration pay station when the office is closed. The park is open for day use from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Camping
High Cliff State Park has 112 regular (family) campsites, 32 of with electric hookups, and 8 non-electric group campsites. All sites are reservable. Reservations can be made up to 11 months in advance and are highly recommended for weekend camping May through September and anytime you want an electric site or an extended stay that includes a Friday and Saturday night. Reserve a campsite through the Web or by calling (888) 947-2757, TTY (800) 274-7275.
The park also has a specially-designed accessible cabin for people with disabilities.
Biking
Bicycles are allowed on all park roads. Bikes are restricted to the horse trail and the Red Bird Trail. The horse/bike trail is open for biking about May 1 through November 15.
Marina
The High Cliff State Park Marina provides slips for 100 boats.
Boating
Lake Winnebago offers unlimited opportunity for boating. The park has both developed and undeveloped boat launches. Boaters may remain overnight aboard boats moored in the marina.
Cross-Country Skiing
The Red Bird Trail is a designated ski trail when snow covered. The trail is groomed for traditional skiing and is suitable for beginning to intermediate skiers. Pets are not permitted on ski trails.
Fishing
Fishing on Butterfly Pond may yield large mouth bass or panfish. Lake Winnebago provides the opportunity to catch walley, perch or white bass. Fishing poles can be signed out at the park office at no cost.
Friends of High Cliff State Park is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting a greater appreciation of High Cliff State Park. Anyone can become a member. Your help in planning and staffing special activities in the park is always welcome.
Hiking
High Cliff hiking trails offer different levels of challenge to hikers. All trails are looped and vary in length. See map for more information.
Horseback Riding
High Cliff has 8.5 miles of bridle trails, looping the length of the park. Horse rentals are not available at the park.
Hunting is not allowed in the park except during the gun deer season by permit only.
Nature programs
The General Store Museum/Nature Center is open from 1 to 5 p.m. on weekends from Memorial Day through Labor Day. For a complete list of coming programs, see the Friends of High Cliff State Park Web page.
Pets
Pets are welcome in the park when pet owners observe the rules.
Picnicking
High Cliff has four picnic areas with tables, grills, water, and rest rooms.
Playgrounds
Two picnic areas have swings, merry-go-rounds and slides, and wooden playground equipment is available in the campground.
Snowmobiling
A 3-mile snowmobile through the park connects Lake Winnebago with the Calumet County snowmobile trail system. Call (920) 849-1494 for trail conditions.
Snowshoeing/Winter Hiking
Snowshoeing is permitted anywhere in High Cliff except on ski trail when snow covered. We recommend the Forest Management Trail for winter hiking and snowshoeing. Snowshoe rentals are available on a first-come, first-served basis when the park office open.
Summer Sports
A baseball diamond, a sand volleyball court and a grass volleyball court are available for summer sports enthusiasts. Volleyballs and nets can be signed out at no cost.
High Cliff BeachSwimming
High Cliff offers an unguarded sand beach. The bathhouse has flush toilets, showers, changing areas and open shelters.
Volunteer
High Cliff has volunteer opportunities in many aspects of park operations, including maintenance, invasive species control, interpretation and camp hosting. Call today for more information on volunteering at High Cliff State Park!
Watchable Wildlife
The most common mammals observed here are fox and gray squirrels, raccoons, skunks, opossums, deer, woodchucks, 13-striped ground squirrels, chipmunks, mice, shrews, and bats. Present, but rarely seen, are red fox, weasels, and mink. High Cliff is a premier area to watch the warbler migration in the spring. The park is also home to several purple martin colonies.