If you are looking for a state with an exceptional outdoor experience, Wisconsin has some of the most beautiful landscape in the Midwest.
With its rolling hills and valleys and numerous lakes, there is sure to be something for every outdoor enthusiast.
The area surrounding Oshkosh on the Eastern side of the state has some of the most beautiful and interesting parks in the state.
Map of State Parks Near Oshkosh WI
Below is a map of the state parks in Wisconsin covered in this post:
List of State Parks Near Oshkosh
Here are five state parks near Oshkosh that are worth a visit:
1. Lizard Mound State Park
Location: West Bend, WI 53090
Just 56 miles Southeast of Oshkosh, Lizard Mound offers both history and natural beauty.
If you search for Lizard Mound in Wisconsin today, you might find it listed as a county park, however, that is all about to change soon if all goes well.
The park was deeded to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources last October, and the DNR intends for it to be a state park. It will, however, likely be a different kind of state park than others in Wisconsin.
Lizard Mound is different from other parks in the state because it is an Indigenous burial ground. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the park is host to 28 Effigy mounds, which are piles of earth sculpted to resemble animals, humans, and supernatural beings.
The ground is considered sacred by the descendants of the land, and visitors to the park are asked to respect the grounds. There is an interactive cultural center where visitors can learn about the historical and archeological features of the property.
There is also a picnic area for visitors to enjoy. For visitors who want to stay in the area, there are a number of campgrounds nearby.
2. High Cliff State Park
Location: N7630 State Park Rd, Sherwood, WI 54169
Located across Lake Winnebago from Oshkosh, High Cliff State Park offers a wide range of activities for any outdoor enthusiast.
The park is a 38 minute drive around the North end of the lake. If you are a watersports fan, you will find plenty of opportunities to get your feet wet on Lake Winnebago.
The park boasts four developed boat launches and a marina with over 100 slips available for rent. Boaters are welcome to stay overnight on boats moored at the marina.
The undeveloped boat launch is popular for windsurfers, paddlers and kite boarders to get out on the water. There is also a swimming area, however there are no lifeguards provided.
The bike/horse trail and the Red Bird Trail are popular with bikers, hikers, and horseback riders.
With over 10 miles of trails conveniently accessible from the campground, visitors can enjoy beautiful views of Lake Winnebago, the limestone quarries, and beautiful hardwood forests.
Fishing is popular on both Lake Winnebago and Butterfly Pond. A Wisconsin fishing license is needed for fishing on the lake.
High Cliff Park offers several camping options for visitors. There is a family campground that offers 112 campsites, 32 of which offer electrical hookup.
There is a group campground with 8 group sites, and there is also an accessible cabin available to rent for up to four nights from May through mid-October. The campground hosts stay onsite from April through October in the park.
In Wisconsin, the fun doesn’t end when the snow flies. There are a number of winter sports opportunities available in the park such as snow shoeing, winter biking, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling.
There is something for everyone at this beautiful park.
3. Heritage Hill State Park
Location: 2640 S Webster Ave, Green Bay, WI 54301
If you are heading in the direction of Green Bay, Heritage Hill is a great stop on the way.
The park offers a living history experience with its historically preserved buildings and over 9,000 artifacts housed within.
The park offers group tours by advanced reservation. There are both walking tours and tram tours for visitors to enjoy.
With its historical foundation, the park offers a wide variety of educational events and programs. Local schools and homeschool groups can organize field trips, purchase activity kits, or even have an outreach program come to their location for an immersive presentation.
Private events such as holiday celebrations, live music festivals, and historical observances draw visitors of all ages.
Heritage Hill houses the historical Moravian Church, which is a popular spot for weddings. Guests can reserve the church, the Victorian Gazebo, The Garden Patio, or the Cotton House Grounds for their wedding celebrations.
The park is well-prepared for hosting and coordinating weddings and offers a weath of information on their website.
The park is also available for many other types of events such as birthday parties, bridal or baby showers, rehearsal dinners, or other family gatherings.
If you are interested in history, Heritage Hill offers something for all ages.
4. Kettle Moraine State Forest
Location: Kewaskum, WI 53040
Located 45 miles Southeast of Oshkosh, the Northern Unit of Kettle Moraine State Forest offers a wide variety of recreational opportunities for visitors to enjoy.
There are a multitude of biking trail systems in the surrounding recreation areas that are open to bikers ages 16 and up. A state trail pass is required for all bikers to ride on the trail systems.
Of the available trail systems that run through the state forest – The Greenbush Trail System, The Lake to Lake Trail System, and the New Fane Trail System – each offers a different landscape for bikers to enjoy.
Bike trails and hiking trails are separated with safety in mind. The Greenbush Trail System is also groomed for cross-country skiing in the winter. Pets, hikers and show-shoers are not permitted on the ski trails in the winter.
Water recreation is prevalent in the state forest. Public access is provided for boating, canoeing, and kayaking. The park also has three swimming beaches complete with picnic areas and even a playground for children.
Kettle Moraine has several camping areas, two of which have electrical hookups. The group campground and horse riders’ campground offer tent camping but no showers.
For those that really want to rough it, there are backpacking shelters available year-round along the Ice Age National Scenic Trail.
5. Hartman Creek State Park
Location: N2480 Hartman Creek Rd, Waupaca, WI 54981
48 miles Northwest of Oshkosh lies Hartman Creek State Park. Situated on Hartman Lake, the park offers all of the recreation opportunities you can expect from Wisconsin.
Watersports such as boating, canoeing, and kayaking are offered on the many surrounding lakes. Motorized boating is available on the lakes, but boaters are limited to a “slow-no-wake” speed, so sports such as water skiing and jet skiing are not available at this park.
There are many picnic areas along the lakes for families and friends to gather.
The park also offers a campground with 103 family sites and five group sites. The sites are spacious, offer electrical hookups, and have shower and flush toilet buildings.
Visitors can enjoy all of the outdoor activities that Wisconsin has to offer. Hiking, biking, and horseback riding are offered on the many trails throughout the park.
But the fun doesn’t end in the winter. Cross-country skiing, snow shoeing, and even fat tire cycling are available throughout the park in the winter.
Overall, Hartman Creek State Park has everything you have come to expect from Wisconsin parks.
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