High Cliff State Park 2025 06

Last week we returned to High Cliff State Park. We hiked the trails in High Cliff back in February. This time though we started out on the Limekiln Trail.

Key Features

• Lake Winnebago Views: The park provides stunning panoramic views of Lake Winnebago, Wisconsin’s largest inland lake.
• Limestone Cliffs: It’s situated on dramatic limestone cliffs, a prominent geological feature.
• Effigy Mounds: The park contains significant Native American effigy mounds, offering historical and archaeological interest.
• Hiking Trails: Numerous trails cater to hikers of varying skill levels, providing opportunities to explore the park’s diverse landscapes.
• Camping: High Cliff State Park offers a range of camping options, including campsites with electrical hookups.
• Boating and Water Activities: Access to Lake Winnebago allows for boating, fishing, and other water-based recreation.
• Historical Sites: The park features historical sites, such as the remains of a lime kiln, providing insights into the area’s past.
• Wildlife Viewing: The park is home to a variety of wildlife, offering opportunities for nature observation.
• Winter Activities: During winter, the park transforms into a destination for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling.
• Accessibility: The park offers accessible features, including accessible campsites, fishing platforms, and trails.

Review

High Cliff is a place my wife and I have been to many times. She would take my older two children to the trails when they were very young. So when I was thinking of places to review during a month of returning posts High Cliff was high on the list.

Our youngest daughter decided to grace our hike with her presence this time. We packed up our car and started out for the park. Though as we started out of town we decided to embark on a side quest for some lunch.

Reaching the park we decided to hike the Limekiln Trail. Unlike the Red Bird Trail, this trail runs between the base of the cliffs and Lake Winnebago.

Parking at a lot on the north end of the trail we got out of our car and got prepared for our Hike. Looking up to the sky five Turkey Vultures circled high above the trees. A juvenile eagle was chased off as I tried to capture some pictures. However all of the birds were too high for my lens to get a good picture.

The parking lot was full as the day was beautiful. As we started out we figured it would be pretty busy on the trail. Though the number of cars entering the park would have indicated that as well.

Starting down the trail we encountered the name sake of the trail. Ruins of the old Lime production foundry mark the start of the trail. Barn swallows dart in and out of crumbling buildings.

After taking some pictures of the buildings and looking out on the lake we continued on. The trail from the ruins to the divergence of the loop is usually well kept. However we took note that now just after the ruins a circle of sitting stones had been built.

All the way to the first stream the trail had been updated with new gravel. The stream which had a natural divide in the past now had been updated with rocks to make a more picturesque scene.

At the split in the trail which creates the loop we chose to continue on the path closest to the lake. Walking down the hill to the lower path the trail degraded to its more natural state. A dirt foot path no more than 15 feet above the shore.

Tree surround the path the entire distance of the trail. I like to note though as we get to the lower trail the trees on the bank grow almost parallel to the water to get sunlight. This happens because of the dense foliage of the trees further up the bank. From the water the trail is completely concealed by leaves.

As we walked we encountered hikers passing us from either direction. We could hear the music from a boat fishing near shore.

The further south we went the more treacherous the trail became. Small streams almost seeped across the trail making it muddy. At points planks were placed on the trail to help with traction.

Eventually we got to the official southern edge of the trail. A bench and a sign pointing up an inclined trail to the base of the cliffs mark the end. Though a game path indicated that others have ventured further south in the past.

We started the climb up to the base of the cliffs. This is where I am reminded of the Eagle Trail at Peninsula State Park. Though that trail is much harder that this trail.

After a climb that had me huffing and puffing we got to another bench. Some of the make shift steps being double or more the size of a normal step. We then started back north on the loop. This part of the loop runs closer to the base of the cliffs.

Quickly we reached a divide in the path. To our left we could continue on the Limekiln Trail. To our left though, is a path leading up to the Red Bird Trail. Our daughter asked us to climb up to the top of the cliff for the return hike.

The path up to the Red Bird trail took us between a pillar of limestone. Ferns and other flora grow from the crevices in the cliff face. We then got to some wooden stairs leading the last twenty feet up the cliff.

Finally we reached the Red Bird Trail. The Red Bird trail stretched out to both the north and south of us following the top of the cliff. To our east we could see the High Cliff campground.

We started walking north, but my wife and daughter kept getting distracted by side quests. Small foot paths off the main trail to the edge of the cliff they deemed side quests. These paths led to the edge of the cliff but the trees are too tall here to clearly see the lake. Some of these trails are for more adventurous people who wish to climb the cliffs.

After a few side quests we continued the hike north. The total loop of the Limekiln path is about 2.2 Miles. Adding the diversion to the Red Bird Trail most likely increased the distance to 3 or 3.5 miles. So we had some hiking to get back to our car.

The hike north took us past camp sites, Indian burial mounds, and other trails leading away from the cliff edge. We continued north passing one of the parking lots for hiking near the roads. We descended down to the head waters of the stream just south of the Limekiln Ruins.

We crossed the road leading down to the entrance of the park. At this point we could follow the road back to our car. My wife urged us to continue on the Red Bird Trail to the park at the top of the cliffs. That is were we parked back in February for our hike. So we crossed the road and continued.

The geography at this point of the trail is very interesting. Erosion has created a pair of box canyons in the cliff face. Bare rock keeps the trees from taking root so there is an open area to wander around.

We kept hiking eventually rising back to the top of the cliff. The Red Bird Trail is well maintained. It is a much easier hike than the Limekiln Trail. If mobility is an issue stick to the Red Bird Trail. Eventually we got to the statue of Red Bird and the upper park.

We stopped briefly to take a water break. There are fountains at the park to refill your water bottles. We rested and then started on the hike down to our car. The path down to our car was once a road for cars visiting the park. It is a black topped trail that would be an easy hike if it was not a 45 degree slope all the way down to the main road.

Reaching the bottom of the decline our calves were burning from the strain of keeping our footing. We crossed the road and followed a brief dirt path to the parking lot. We returned to our car after a great but exhausting hike.

We love coming to High Cliff State Park. It is a brief drive from our home. Even though it can get quite busy at times. We still get the opportunity to see wild life. Chipmunks, Deer, Ducks, and other birds are seen frequently and a brief eagle sighting can be expected as well. We are going to continue returning for hikes.

You do need a State Park Pass to enter the park. There is plenty to do. A boat launch and swimming area were pretty popular this week and will most likely draw visitors through out the summer. The campground is almost always full from what I hear, but I have never camped at High Cliff. If you are looking for some place quiet High Cliff is not the place to go.

If you are planning a trip or have fond memories of a past visit, feel free to share in the comments. Thank you again for reading my posts.