Oshkosh, WI is a bustling city in eastern Wisconsin and is the county seat of Winnebago County. The city was named in honor of Chief Oshkosh of the Menominee Native American tribe. Oshkosh originally began to develop because of the emergence of the wood industry during the mid-19th century, and it was officially incorporated as a city in 1853. At that time, the population was approximately 2,800. When rail transportation arrived in the area in 1859, Oshkosh and its industries were able to expand at a faster rate. Around this time, the city was known as "The Sawdust Capital of the World" because of its abundance of lumber mills. By 1910, the population of Oshkosh had reached roughly 33,000, which made it the fourth-largest city in Wisconsin.
As of 2022, approximately 67,700 people call Oshkosh home. The city is home to many great landmarks worth seeing while you're in the area. For example, there's the Asylum Point Lighthouse, which was built in 1937 and can be reached via a wooden bridge. There's also the Menominee Park Zoo, where you can observe 50 endemic and exotic animals. Another unique attraction is the Paine Art Center and Gardens, a beautiful historic estate featuring botanical gardens and a breathtaking mansion.
If you enjoy exploring museums, you'll have several good ones to choose from around Oshkosh. You could check out the hundreds of fascinating aircraft at the EAA Aviation Museum, browse the exhibits and displays at the Military Veterans Museum and Education Center, or learn about the area's history at the Oshkosh Public Museum. If you'd rather have some fun outdoors, consider going for a bike ride at Stevens Park or having a peaceful picnic at Menominee Park.
Oshkosh is home to many excellent restaurants and breweries. When you're ready to eat, a few great options are Ardy & Ed's Drive-In, the New Moon Café, and Friar Tuck's. And after dinner, you could stop by Fifth Ward Brewing Company or Bare Bones Brewery for a couple of drinks and a good time!
Campgrounds Near Oshkosh, Wisconsin
If you're looking for a campground and enjoy water-based recreation, Wolf River Trips and Campground is a great choice. You can rent a campsite with full RV hookups, and while you're there, you'll have direct access to the nearby Wolf River. The park offers tubing, kayaking, and canoeing trips down the river. Plus, guests have access to amenities such as a game room, a pavilion, and a great on-site restaurant. The campground is open from April through October.
You could also stay at Apple Creek Campground, which offers 133 full-hookup RV campsites for $39 per night or $234 per week. The family-friendly park provides lots of games and activities, and there's also a heated pool, a fishing pond, a convenience store, and nearby hiking trails. Plus, if you're a military member, you'll get a discounted rate at the campground.
If you're looking for a quaint campground with a tranquil atmosphere, then Calumet County Park will be perfect. The park, which is open between April and November, features primitive campsites that can accommodate RVs as long as 40 feet. There aren't many amenities, but there is a modern laundry room, shower, and nearby convenience store.
State Parks Near Oshkosh, Wisconsin
High Cliff State Park is located near Sherwood, WI and sits upon the shores of Lake Winnebago, which is the largest lake in the state. The park is known for its natural beauty, featuring breathtaking cliffs, pristine forests, and picturesque waterfront views. The park is also home to Effigy Mounds that date back between 1,000 and 1,500 years. Visitors can partake in all sorts of recreational activities, including hiking, biking, picnicking, boating, swimming, fishing, hunting, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling. Additionally, the park is home to a variety of cool birds and other wildlife species.
Hartman Creek State Park is located on Wisconsin's Chain O' Lakes, which is home to seven beautiful lakes with crystal-clear water. The area contains swamps, waterfalls, and oak and pine forests, and visitors often spot hawks, box turtles, waterfowl, and many other species. During your visit, you can explore the off-road biking and hiking trails, cool off in the swimming area, or get some sun on the large beach. You could also enjoy water-based activities like fishing, kayaking, and boating, and, if you visit during the cold season, you can go cross-country skiing or snowmobiling.
Located on the shores of a large limestone quarry lake, Harrington Beach State Park comprises 715 acres of swamps, grasslands, and sandy beaches. The diverse park is a great destination for wildlife viewing and birdwatching, and other popular activities include fishing, hiking, sledding, skiing, and snowshoeing. The area also boasts an observatory and provides an astronomy program for visitors.
National Sites Near Oshkosh, Wisconsin
The Ice Age National Scenic Trail is a breathtaking trail that follows the edge of the last glacier that was located in Wisconsin. The glacier resided in the area approximately 10,000 years ago, and it left behind lakes, rivers, ridges, and hills. In total, the trail spans about 1,200 miles and will take you through forests, farms, canyons, state parks, and even towns. A few areas you can see while navigating the trail are the Ice Age Trail: Holy Hill Segment, the Ice Age Trail: Lodi Marsh Segment, and the Ice Age Trail: Devil's Staircase.
The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is a gorgeous area located near Lake Michigan. The site is home to spectacular sand dunes, which tower over the lake at up to 450 feet. The area is also home to pristine white-sand beaches and lush greenery combined with the vivid blue waters to make it one of the most beautiful places in the state. During your visit, you can sunbathe on the beach, go for a swim in the lake, or explore the area's hiking trails. You could also kick back and watch the magnificent sunset. Additionally, the park's 100-mile network of trails accommodates biking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing in addition to hiking.
At Pullman National Monument, you can see the remains of the unique community established by George Pullman in the late 19th century. Located just outside Chicago, IL, the company town was intended to be an ideal society, but it never quite lived up to what Pullman envisioned. Visitors can tour the remnants of the town, learn about Pullman's role in the rail industry, and explore the National A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum. Other places to check out in the monument include the Historic Pullman Employee Housing and the Pullman Administration Clock Tower Building.
National Forests Near Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Comprising just under 1 million acres, Ottawa National Forest spreads from Wisconsin to the southern shores of Lake Superior. The beautiful natural area is home to 18 picturesque waterfalls and more than 2,100 miles of off-road trails. There are plenty of excellent hiking trails as well, including Cooks Run and the O Kun De Kun Trail. The forest also boasts hundreds of lakes and roughly 2,000 miles of streams and rivers, providing ample opportunity for angling enthusiasts to cast their lines. Fish species commonly caught in the area are steelhead trout, brown trout, and walleye.
Hiawatha National Forest covers just under 900,000 acres and is located on Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The forest is home to a wide variety of bird species and other wildlife, including bald eagles, sandhill cranes, red foxes, beavers, river otters, timber wolves, black bears, moose, Canadian lynxes, and many others. Hiking is a popular activity in the area, and a stretch of the 4,600-mile North Country Trail is the most notable destination for it. There are also 100 miles of shoreline in the national forest, offering plenty of opportunities for water-based recreation.
Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest is a massive area encompassing approximately 1.5 million acres across northern Wisconsin. The forest's history has been traced back roughly 10,000 years to the Paleo-Native Americans, and the area is home to some of the region's largest and oldest trees. If you visit during the winter, the forest will provide a perfect setting for ice fishing, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing. During the warmer times of the year, it's worth navigating great hiking routes like the Argonne Experimental Forest Trail and the Pigeon Lake Trail.
