With summer on the horizon, now is the perfect time to start planning your getaway to beautiful Oshkosh. Our small and welcoming town in eastern Wisconsin is a great place to get outside and explore the wonders of nature. Whether you like to hike, cycle, kayak, swim, fish, or view/photograph wildlife, there’s an outdoor adventure waiting for you here in Winnebago County. Read on our for outdoor lover’s guide to Oshkosh.

Oshkosh is bordered by not one but two lovely lakes: Lake Winnebago and Lake Butte de Morts. That makes us a paradise for anyone who loves to spend the day on or by the water. Menominee Park is located on the shores of Lake Winnebago, where you will find excellent fishing and boating opportunities, relaxing beaches, well-paved biking and walking trails, a picnic shelter, sports courts, the Menominee Park Zoo, and more. Lake Butte de Morts is a peaceful 8,800-acre fed by the Fox and Wolf Rivers. This is a popular spot for anglers, who often catch Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Tiger Muskie, and Walleye in the lake’s waters. Adjacent to Lake Butte de Morts is Terrell’s Island a gorgeous 265-acre property located near the mouth of the upper Fox River. No matter what time of year you visit, a trip to Terell’s Island is guaranteed to be a wonderful experience. The property features three peaceful hiking and cycling trails, well-preserved wetlands, and ample opportunities for wildlife viewing. Keep an eye out for pelicans, herons, and other nesting or migratory waterfowl as well as deer, mink, river otters, turtles, frogs, foxes, and more. Many people bring their canoes or kayaks and paddle through the tranquil waters around the island.

For more wildlife viewing, pay a visit to Asylum Point Park. This designated wildlife area is the perfect place to watch the sunset or spot deer and a wide variety of birds, including the American White Pelican, eagles, owls, and hawks in their natural habitat. Be sure to check out Asylum Point Lighthouse while you are there.

A great way to get a little exercise is the Riverwalk, a flat, paved trail that stretches along both sides of the Fox Fiver, connecting Downtown Oshkosh to the Wiouwash Trail. Along the way, you’ll enjoy unbeatable river views and have the chance to stop at a variety of restaurants, stores, and benches if you need a rest. The route can be walked or cycled. For a longer journey, continue onto the Wiouwash Trail. Located along a former railway line that stretches through Winnebago, Outagamie, Waupaca, and Shawano counties, this pleasant route takes riders across beautiful prairies, farms, and wetlands.

 

Planning a trip to Oshkosh this summer? Book a stay at the lovely Brayton Bed & Breakfast, where modern luxury meets historic style.