Plenty of parking and assortment of trails for all ages. Paths are very well kept. Beautiful…read moreenvironment with plenty of lake views from the higher elevation trails. Love my Wisconsin state parks.

This is one of my favorite state parks. I came here as a kid with my family to picnic and swim at…read morethe beach. It still has a nice beach with tables and grills and even a Pavillion. We hike the many trails that run through the park, one of which has a good view of the limestone escarpment that High Cliff is named for. The observation tower offers a panoramic view of Lake Winnebago. We come here enough that it is worth getting a season park pass.

This park has been a repeat visiting spot my entire adult life…read more This is a great place to park for fifteen or twenty minutes and just watch the lakefront activity, or bring friends and family to have a picnic. Incessant Research

One of the best local parks I have experienced. They have a huge playground with a wide array of…read moreequipment. There's even a miniature zip line. Older and younger kids will love it. The park also has a little train that goes around the perimeter, kids rides, and paddle boat rentals. There's a lot of trails and well maintained gardens here too. The lakefront is quite nice and has a small lighthouse on one side of the park. Worth a stop if you do find yourself in Fond du Lac.

Lesson learned; October is a time when the waterfall is not flowing so we could see the stones and…read morerocks which are fascinating, but no flowing water to enjoy. We started on the trail but quickly lost it and so we headed back after a short hike. But the view of the falls and woods is beautiful so we enjoyed ourselves anyway. I guess we just got our timing wrong. As we got back to the car we found ourselves parked among many trucks with bow hunters. They were friendly and heading deeper into the property but we felt it was time to leave since we did not have any blaze orange on and our dogs were with us. I imagine spring is a better time to visit and I will check further before we visit again. There is no parking or entry fee, but there is a box for donations as you feel are appropriate.

We have friends whose hobby is to visit waterfalls in Wisconsin. Found this idea worthy of copying…read more Our first outing was to Fonferek's Glen. We got to a crowded parking lot, and parked in one of the few empty spots. The walk to to waterfall overlook is easy if not a bit muddy. This is a pretty waterfall about twenty feet high. There are trails that take you around and down to the bottom of the falls. Nice spot to visit and take pictures. There are no restrooms or picnic areas, just the falls. I have to add social commentary here. We met about thirty people walking to and from the falls. The twenty something's walked by with their eyes firmly on the ground. The forty something's looked up and said hello back. The sixty somethings made eye contact, smiled and said a pleasant hello. Generational differences were apparent. Bottom line, this is a very pretty spot for a quick visit. Be respectful of the private property.

At this rate, my family should be spokespeople for this State Park, because we really love it that…read moremuch. It continues to be a favorite spot for camping trips multiple times a year, but hot dang you have to book FAR in advance to get a site! I believe they allow you to book up to 11 months in advance, which seems crazy but trust me when I say you need to, especially for weekend or holiday dates. We camp with both an RV and tents, and are always in search of sites with electric as an option. My favorite is around the #89-92 area, but honestly you can't go wrong with most all of the sites. The grounds are extremely well-kept, and it's a delight to be tucked into the forest of trees. Tons of walking paths wind around this park too, including the beautiful dunes. Great to explore in all seasons. Various trails lead straight to Lake Michigan, where you'll find the sprawling beach of white sand. In the warm months, it's great to swim, and in the cooler months the beach is flat enough to take a nice long walk on or simply enjoy the ocean-like views. Other pros: plenty of parking for single-day visitors, a huge playground alongside the beach entrance, firewood and ice on site, an 'amphitheatre' area where events like weddings can be hosted, and it's very dog-friendly. There's nothing not to love at this gorgeous state park!

Kohler-Andre State Park: Originally named just Terry Andre State Park when it opened in the late…read more1920s, the park became Kohler-Andrae State Park in 1966 following a donation from the Kohler Company. The park is in the Town of Wilson, which is just south of Sheboygan. It features a plethora of wildlife, numerous campsites, the Sanderling Nature Center, majestic sand dunes, over two miles of golden beaches along the cool waters of Lake Michigan, The Black River Marsh Boardwalk, and whispering pines. My favorite part was the miles of hiking trails through the sandy dunes. A show titles "Wildlife of Wisconsin" was also neat in the Sanderling Nature Center. The presenter shared some interesting stories and also brought along some live animals, such as baby possums, falcon, and barn owl. It can be a little chillier in the park because of its proximity to Lake Michigan and the wetlands can cause an increase in mosquitos, so plan accordingly. Overall, it's a nice park within short driving distance of Milwaukee.

When you decide to see the James Tellen Woodland Sculpture Garden, be sure to double check your…read moremap. It's located in a residential neighborhood, south of Sheboygan, that is off the beaten path. The first thing you see is a log fence along Evergreen Road. In the trompe-l'œil sculpture, you'll find a Native American family, a momma bear climbing a tree and her two cubs playing in a tree. Park your car in the lot off Evergreen Road and walk back up to the road to take a closer look at the fence. The amount of detail that James Tellen put into his work is evident in the logs. You'll find a Native American family, a momma bear about to climb a tree, and her cubs playing on the tree top. Near the large sculpted tree (go ahead and stick your head in the large opening!) you'll find a box with an information sheet that describes the sculptures you'll be seeing as you walk the path into the woods. Where did this all come from? James Tellen worked in a Sheboygan furniture factory where he painted stripes and other details on the products. When not working, he studied painting under local artisans and later worked with other media. During the depression, production slowdowns gave him time to pursue his artwork. This log cottage and land, south of town, was a family refuge and became a place for him to pursue his artwork. During the winter, he would work on sculpting heads in the basement of his home. In Spring and Summer, he attached the heads to armatures that supported his concrete sculptures. Tellen died in 1957, leaving a legacy of 30 such sculptures at the family cottage. The Kohler Foundation acquired the sculpture garden in 1988 and in 2001, the collection was gifted to the John Michael Kohler Art Center. The Tellen environment is the first addition to the JMKAC collection that is off premises. (The JMKAC is in downtown Sheboygan.) A sculpture of a young Abraham Lincoln, splitting a log, shows Tellen's incredible dedication to detail. It is reminiscent of Clarence Shaler's "Lincoln the Dreamer" sculpture on the campus of Ripon College. Tellen tried to depict everyday people, and the young Lincoln is represented as an everyday neighbor rather than as the statesman that we all remember. The Tellen collection is open dawn to dusk daily. It is one the art environments restored by the Kohler Foundation and listed as part of Wandering Wisconsin. I have reviewed some of these sites on Yelp, too. https://www.jmkac.org/exhibitions/wandering-wisconsin.html

Nice walk through the woods. Interesting in a kitschy way. Go back to the roadhouse a half mile…read moreback down the road for some good drinks.

We had a fabulous day at the Menominee Park Zoo. It is a small zoo located on the shores of Lake…read moreWinnebago in Oshkosh. It is a wonderful zoo that kids and adults will like. You can see a variety of animals like foxes, bears and elk. This small zoo has some picnic areas along with a cafe and gift shop. Best of all it is a free zoo. Afterwards, we walked along the lake and the beach. If you're in the Oshkosh area, this zoo is definitely a must see!!

A very nice free zoo in Oshkosh. We went before all the animals were outside, it was still a bit…read morechilly, but it was a nice stroll around the park which is wheelchair accessible.

We made a last-minute stop at Harrington Beach on an unseasonably warm day at the end of September,…read moreand it turned into the best surprise. Our grandkids went straight into the water--clothes and all--and played in the sand for hours. The sand was lovely, the water was clear, and we even spent time out on the sandbar. It made for very happy little people, and it felt like we were hanging on to summer just a bit longer.

I wasn't sure it would be possible to love another state park more than Kohler Andre... but…read moreHarrington managed. I can't believe I've lived in Sheboygan for 15 plus years and have never come here. The beach is stunning... I spent the day here. Not overcrowded, trails clearly marked, very clean. The roads have a LOT of potholes... so be careful with your car, biking and ankles hah-- can't wait to explore the park more!

As lakes go, this one is often overlooked. Driving for east of the lake I'd definitely more rural…read moreand very pleasant country driving. The better route north or south with a little more time added. High cliff state park a nice place to settle in nature.

Lake Winnebago is a huge lake. Not Lake Michigan huge, of course, but it feels like it as you…read morecannot see the shore on the opposite side lake! And if you are use to cruising around inland lakes, Winnebago will take the cake. Because of its vast size, the wind and consequent waves can be wicked. I recommend that if you are prone to sea-sickness and going out on the water, you need to bring favorite motion sickness medication as a precaution. Winnebago is a shallow lake, so be mindful of your boat prop position. This is a great lake for tubing, water skiing, and fishing. There are multiple parks along the banks. The boat launch located in North Fond Du Lac is awesome with 5 slots and it is easy to get your boat in and out and park for only a few dollars. There is plentiful wildlife and birds to watch. Seeing the pelicans fly over the lake is an amazing experience. Speaking for experience, I don't recommend staying on the water after sunset. It is very, very dark. And extremely difficult to find that inlet that leads to the North Fond Du Lac boat launch.... I've always had fun, memorable experiences the few times I have visited and highly recommend boating on Winnebago in the WI summer. I hope to do some fishing next summer so I can share my experiences in an updated review.

This tower has the best views other than flying over. The tower has over 200 steps to the tower and…read more96 up the tower itself. It was definitely worth the effort and time, as you can see for over 20 miles. They have picnic tables and restrooms near the parking area, primative restrooms. Enjoy your lunch with all the wildlife you can imagine.

Another one of Wisconsin's gems. This State Park is an absolute blast to hike. The loop is…read moreapproximately 4 miles that take you up and down and around another section of the Kettle Moraine State Forest in Plymouth. A set of long stairs usher you up to the tower and that is where we started our journey. We climbed to the top and what a sight it is to see. This tower is high up as it sits on the crest of a hill. Amazing and a bit scary all the same time when you get to the top. Bring your pup cause this place is a perfect little spot to hike thorough with them. Trails are well marked and walking through the forest here is a bit surreal as you are led through windy twists and turns that are littered with rocks and trees and so much nature it is just a pleasure to experience. We drove up from Milwaukee and it takes about 50 minutes to get here. When heading home I suggest taking the scenic route back and driving by Long lake and through the country side of Wisconsin. Lot's to see and just an enjoyable jaunt all around!