Hiking

High Cliff hiking trails offer different levels of challenge to hikers. All trails are looped and vary in length. Hikers should stay on marked trails and behind barricades and barriers where they are provided. 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.

Hiking trails

Butterfly Pond Nature Trail (0.4-mile east loop and 0.7-mile west loop)

The Butterfly Pond trail starts at the parking lot off Lower Cliff Road and goes around the Butterfly Pond. This interpretive trail is paved for accessibility and features wetland, prairie and forest ecosystems.

Pets and bikes are not allowed on the Butterfly Pond Nature Trail. 

Forest Management trail (0.9-mile short loop and 1.4-mile long loop)

The Forest Management trail starts at the parking lot east of the pavilion. This trail is marked with yellow dots and compares managed and unmanaged woodlots.

Indian Mound trail (0.6 miles)

The Indian Mound Trail starts at the Indian mound lot off park road and near campsite 14 in the family campground. This self-guided, limestone-surfaced interpretive trail showcases effigy mounds built by Native Americans 1,500 years ago.

Lime-Kiln trail (0.9-mile short loop and 1.7-mile long loop)

The Lime-Kiln trail starts at the paved parking lot near the lime kiln ruins and at the stairs near campsite 38. The trail is marked with blue dots and traverses part of the Niagara Escarpment State Natural Area. The lakeside segment of Lime Kiln Trail is generally level, while the escarpment segment involves steep climbs, descents and stairs. This trail is not maintained in the winter.

Red Bird trail (3.4 miles)

The Red Bird trail starts at the tower parking lot. This mostly level trail is marked with red dots and travels along the top of the Niagara Escarpment. It features panoramic views of Lake Winnebago, historical limestone quarries, the Chief Red Bird statue and the observation tower.