Winnebago: Trails, Water and Nature

A one-mile paved causeway crosses Lake Butte des Morts: the Tribal Heritage Crossing. At its northern end, it connects to the Wiouwash State Trail; at its southern end, to the Oshkosh Riverwalk.

Trails through Diverse Landscapes

The Winnebago County section of the Wiouwash State Trail begins in downtown Oshkosh at the Fox River and runs north through Winnebago and Outagamie Counties to Hortonville. Along the way, the landscape is shaped by the Fox River, Lake Butte des Morts, grassland prairies, forests and farmland. In summer, visitors can walk, hike, bike and ride horses; in winter, the trail is used for snowmobiling, fat biking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

Another route, the Mascoutin Valley State Trail, runs for 5.3 miles through southwestern Winnebago County and continues into Green Lake and Fond du Lac Counties. The Tribal Heritage Crossing is a different kind of trail: its paved causeway crosses the lake and connects two named routes at either end.

Natural Areas and Outdoor Activities

The public is encouraged to visit and enjoy five nature preserves in Winnebago County. Activities available there include hiking, biking, picnicking, fishing, birdwatching, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. The Coughlin Community Natural Area includes about one mile of grass trails in a 35-acre prairie. The Waukau Creek Nature Preserve covers 64 acres and is home to the county’s only flowing stream.

The Waukau Dam Mountain Bike Trail is a three-mile singletrack that runs along steep slopes and through deep ravines. It is open for riding year-round; however, in winter conditions, use is limited to fat bikes and remains weather-dependent. The Deppe Wildlife Area in western Winnebago County offers a different landscape: this 373-acre wetland and grassland area includes about 80 acres of restored prairie. Visitors can watch birds and wildlife, canoe, kayak and fish. Hiking and cross-country skiing are also possible, but there is no designated trail for these activities.

Asylum Point Park, on Lake Winnebago, features wetlands and prairie and also has a boat launch. In summer, visitors can kayak there; in winter, they can ice fish. The Asylum Point Lighthouse stands on a small island and is accessible via a pedestrian bridge, but is closed to the public. Winnebago County Community Park covers nearly 245 acres and offers recreational activities in every season.

Culture, History and Seasonal Experiences

In Neenah, the Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass showcases glass paperweights, Germanic drinking vessels, Victorian art glass, contemporary glass sculptures and rotating exhibitions. The Glass Studio offers glassmaking classes and camps for teens and adults. Also in Neenah, historic mansions built by paper barons form an architectural tour around Riverside Park and Kimberly Point Park, along Lake Winnebago and the Fox River.

In Oshkosh, the Paine Art Center and Gardens displays more than 1,000 works of art, including many from the collection of Nathan and Jessie Kimberly Paine, with fine art and decorative objects. At the Children’s Garden, families can explore nature and play in a botanical setting. The Historic Sawyer Home is a house built in 1908 in the English Tudor Revival style. The interiors were designed and furnished by Tiffany Studios of New York; since 1924, the house has been home to the Oshkosh Public Museum.

The Grand Opera House in Oshkosh opened on August 9, 1883, and was designed by local architect William Waters. The Grand offers public and educational performances, community theater, youth events and free community events; its annual performance season spans 125 days. Check performance dates before your trip. The EAA Aviation Museum in Oshkosh showcases more than 200 historic aircraft and exhibits from every era of aviation. The KidVenture Gallery includes 16 interactive exhibits and a half-scale model of an F-22.

The Oshkosh Farmers Market also changes with the seasons: in summer, it operates as an outdoor market; in winter, as an indoor market. Offerings include seasonal fruits and vegetables, meat, poultry, artisan bread, crafts and ready-to-eat foods. Live music and themed events complement the markets; offerings and programming may vary by season, vendor and market day. Check dates before your visit.

Discover more destinations: Oshkosh, Neenah, Monroe, Kewaunee County, Vilas County, Grant County, Walworth, Columbia.

For the main travel overview: Wisconsin.