HomeWisconsinHilbert › High Cliff Escarpment State Natural Area

High Cliff Escarpment State Natural Area

4.8 ★★★★★ 551 Google reviews · Running trail in Hilbert, Wisconsin · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Mixed
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from High Cliff Escarpment State Natural Area's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

MixedScenicRestroomsTrailhead parking

What runners say about High Cliff Escarpment State Natural Area

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (551 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 8 mentions

“The pit toilets were very clean considering the fact that it was close to 90 degrees all weekend.”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 9 mentions

“So many trails and sub-trails, catered to different difficulties and skill levels, all gorgeous in their own way!”

Excellent hike, get to climb around the rocks if you're adventurous. Only issue to raise, the lower trail can be very wet. There are hundreds of springs that flow down to Lake Winnebago and they all cross this path. Project underway to fix it up, more freeway bond gravel, etc but boots are necessary.

★★★★★ — Bikes , May 2024

Camping here was great. The campsites were very spacious compared to other campgrounds. The pit toilets were very clean considering the fact that it was close to 90 degrees all weekend. Our site was however shaded and kept very cool most of the weekend. The trails were very well kept and very beautiful.

★★★★★ — Collin , Sep 2023

My first time camping here, but the group I certainly with has been here before. We did a weekend trip from Friday - Sunday. We had a great hike on Saturday morning with lots of cool views. We had a dog with us and it was great for him.

★★★★★ — Jon , Aug 2018

Great campgrounds, you can feel yourself here surrounded by nature yet still being relatively close to the town. Just a 15 min drive from town and you can enjoy fresh air. Restroom and shower are regularly maintained. Forest has lots of wild life, squirrels, chipmunks different birds and raccoons at night time.

★★★★★ — Alex , Jul 2022

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 551 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 18 mentions

“So many trails and sub-trails, catered to different difficulties and skill levels, all gorgeous in their own way!”

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🚻 Restrooms 4 mentions

“Near family campsite 91 is rustic bathroom - 2 stalls with bottomless toilet.”

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🪨 Crushed gravel / limestone 2 mentions

“Project underway to fix it up, more freeway bond gravel, etc but boots are necessary.”

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🌲 Natural surface / singletrack 2 mentions

“To enjoy the lake, it is recommended to bring kayak or boat since water is kind of muddy close to the banks.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking

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Plan your run at High Cliff Escarpment State Natural Area

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
  • Websitednr.wisconsin.gov
  • Phone(888) 936-7463
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday 6 AM–11 PM
Tuesday 6 AM–11 PM
Wednesday 6 AM–11 PM
Thursday 6 AM–11 PM
Friday 6 AM–11 PM
Saturday 6 AM–11 PM
Sunday 6 AM–11 PM

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find High Cliff Escarpment State Natural Area

Hilbert, Wisconsin

Get directions

Running trails near Hilbert

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Horse/Bike Trailhead

4.6 ★★★★★ 5 reviews

Menasha, WI

under a mile away

High Cliff State Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 3,343 reviews

Sherwood, WI

PavedShadedScenic

State park on Lake Winnebago featuring scenic limestone cliffs, a beach, trails & picnic areas.

1.0 miles away

Calumet County Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 639 reviews

Hilbert, WI

ShadedScenic

Spot with electric & basic campsites for tents & RVs, plus winter activities such as sledding.

3.3 miles away

Hidden Pond Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 57 reviews

Menasha, WI

Natural surface

Well-kept, secluded park offering a playground, a pond, swings and trails.

5.5 miles away

Menasha Conservancy Area

4.4 ★★★★☆ 49 reviews

Menasha, WI

1 miScenic

Nature trail system featuring deer, birds and lush vegetation, plus cross-country skiing in winter.

6.2 miles away

Heckrodt Wetland Reserve

4.8 ★★★★★ 1,369 reviews

Menasha, WI

BoardwalkScenic

City nature reserve with boardwalks & trails through wetland, prairie & forest & a nature center.

7.2 miles away

All running trails in Hilbert, WI →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.