Just south of Appleton, you’ll find a state park that offers some of the most dramatic views in Northeast Wisconsin. High Cliff State Park is a natural treasure along Lake Winnebago, home to beautiful forests, towering cliffs and open prairies.

A century ago, this scene was a little less tranquil. Teams of workers used dynamite to blast pieces of rock from quarries at the top of the cliff. They then used massive furnaces to transform the rock into lime, which was used for things like plaster and cement.

The land here was part of a mining operation for about a century but in 1956 a mining company sold the land to the state of Wisconsin to create an 1,100-acre state park. Today, the Lime Kiln Trail will take you to some incredible Lake Winnebago vistas and through a bit of the park’s fascinating mining history.

To start the hike, park in one of the lots near the park entrance. The hike is a little challenging. If you take the long loop, you'll cover about four miles and encounter 500 feet of elevation gain.
Kylie Heisz / AllTrails
If you hike up to the top of the cliff, you'll find a grassy picnic area and a lookout tower.
Craig Malingowski / AllTrails
The views of Lake Winnebago are simply incredible. On clear days you can see for miles from the top of the cliff, a view that includes a large swath of the Fox Valley.
Mike Manthey / AllTrails

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Lake Winnebago is an impressive sight. It's Wisconsin's largest inland lake, covering nearly 138,000 acres.
Ben Schickert / AllTrails
While the mining operation cleared all trees from this area to fuel the kilns, in the last 65 years, the forest has returned.
Lindsey Ann / AllTrails
There are some tranquil spots to rest near the water's edge.
Greg Forton / AllTrails
The mining operations once employed a small village of people at this location but the operation is in ruins, slowly crumbling back to the earth.
Jeremy Lerirmo / AllTrails

The Lime Kiln Trail can be hiked all year, but the trail can get icy in the winter. On warmer days, you may want to visit the beach and picnic area – it’s not far from where the trail ends. Wisconsin state parks and forests have a lot of incredible hiking trails. If you haven’t hiked the Star Lake Nature Trail, you should also put it on your list.

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High Cliff State Park, N7630 State Park Rd, Sherwood, WI 54169, USA