Winter Recreation
High Cliff State Park
Cross-country skiing
Certain trails in the park are designated for skiing when snow-covered. The trails are groomed for traditional skiing and are suitable for beginning to intermediate skiers. Please see Travel Wisconsin's trail conditions. Pets are not permitted on ski trails.
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.
Bicycling
Winter fat tire biking is allowed on the segment of the Red Bird Trail from the Red Bird Statue to the Family Campground and on park roads. A state trail pass is not required.
Snowshoeing
Snowshoeing is permitted anywhere in High Cliff except on ski trails when snow-covered. The Forest Management trail is good for winter hiking and snowshoeing. Snowshoe rentals are available on a first-come, first-served basis when the park office is open.
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.
Snowmobiling
A 3-mile snowmobile trail through the park connects Lake Winnebago with the Calumet County snowmobile trail system.
The opening and closing of snowmobile trails are at the discretion of each county. Snowmobile trails that cross DNR lands are opened and closed consistent with the surrounding county (or counties). Whenever possible, the opening and closing of snowmobile trails is done on a county-wide basis, however, localized conditions may require localized trail opening and closing. It is the responsibility of the county to provide notification about the status of snowmobile trails. The Travel Wisconsin Snow Conditions Report [exit DNR], and local club and county snowmobile web pages [exit DNR] and telephone hotlines will provide the most current information.