Camping at High Cliff State Park

High Cliff State Park in the Village of Sherwood, Wisconsin is a popular spot for a picnic, hike, or jog near the Fox Cities. With beautiful limestone cliffs alongside Lake Winnebago, High Cliff State Park features about 16 miles (25.7 km) trails including an 8.5 mile (13.7 km) horse and bicycle trail. It also features a marina, beach, lookout tower with a 30 mile (48.3 km) view, great views of the lake from the cliff top, Indian burial mounds, a statue of Chief Red Bird, and a general store museum that doubles as a nature center (with limited summer hours).

Another end of the work week scramble kicked off our trip. We ate food packed from home in the car, knowing we’d arrive at the park after dark. My brother, who lives nearby, brought his son up to our site. 

They arrived ahead of us to build a campfire. What a nice surprise. With leaves in mind, my daughter brought along her plastic rake. Although dark, the kids enjoyed making a huge pile of leaves to play in. They also snacked on Munchies and s’mores. Many of squeals of delight ensued.

Saturday morning felt unseasonably warm. I enjoyed a great hike. Typically this early in the morning I see no one on the trail. This hike I ran into seven people, along with five turkeys, a hawk, and a couple of woodpeckers.

After breakfast, our morning walk around the campground to check out neighbors’ Halloween decorations entertained us until the time came to go visit family. The kids played, got dressed up like little spooks, and had fun climbing all over the giant pumpkin from my brother’s garden. Then they trick-or-treated in Sherwood. 

We ended up having brats, grapes, carrots, and Munchies® for lunch quite late. Dad was nice enough to let me take a short nap. Soon trick-or-treaters started showing up at our campsite. We ran through hundreds of candies before running completely out near 6:00 p.m. Soon it grew dark as my daughter’s cousins arrived in costume.

We trick-or-treated the campground. The kids didn’t get too much candy due to a late start and others running out just as I had. As the Mama, less candy is great by me. But what a thrill to walk through the throngs of dressed up goblins and ghouls while looking at the amazing décor, particularly at the electric sites.

Everyone rendezvoused for s’mores at our site.We had a fun visit around our campfire. The day ended quickly. The night grew cold. In the morning I walked a couple miles before I felt warm. This hike I saw deer, squirrel, and many songbirds. 

My favorite hiking trail at High Cliff is the Red Bird Trail. This easy 3.8 mile loop passes through field and forest, then passes by the family and group camp grounds. It follows the cliffs for a good stretch, features Indian burial mounds, and swings by the lookout tower and the chief redbird statue. 

The trail occasionally traverses rock and crushed lime stone sections, with a couple of road crossings. The rock felt especially slippery on this damp morning. The bulk of the trail has a grass or dirt surface. 

This camping trip went by quickly. After breakfast, Daddy took our daughter out hiking, while I made a good dent in the packing. Before we knew it, it was time to go. 

If we ever decide to return for Halloween at High Cliff, we’ll be sure to buy thousands of candies rather than hundreds. Wow. What a crowd. A good and spooky time was had by all.

Trip Menu Plan:

Snacks: 

S’mores, cashews, beef jerky, Munchies®, apples with peanut butter

Breakfasts: 

Oatmeal with nuts and dehydrated fruit, bacon, eggs with cheese, toast, bananas

Lunch: 

Brats, carrots, grapes, Munchies®

Dinner:  

Chili, Knorr Pasta Sides Buttery Noodles, apples, carrots

Goodies for Goblins: 

Dum Dums, Snickers