The BEST Things to Do in Winter in Oshkosh!

We’re hoping for plenty of snow to keep our options open for getting outside and enjoying the season as well as possible. We’ve got you covered from ice skating to skiing and everything in between in Oshkosh. 

Sledding

Looking for where to go sledding in the Oshkosh area?

• Red Arrow Park, 100 N. Westfield Street, Oshkosh
  • On Taft St., next to the Pollock Community Water Park and across the street from Oshkosh West High School
  • Also known as Garbage Hill
  • Steep and fast
  • Most popular of the Oshkosh sledding hills
• Westhaven Park, 1625 Westhaven Drive, Oshkosh
  • Smaller hill, great for little kids
• Jones Park, north end of Addie Parkway
  • Newest park in the area in the Town of Algoma
  • Steep and can be hard to climb

Other Nearby Sledding Options

• Lake Winneconne Park, 498 Parkway Dr, Winneconne
• Memorial Park, 1175 Appleblossom Dr, Neenah
• Washington Park, 631 W. Winneconne Ave, Neenah 
• Quarry Park, 655 Cedar Str, Neenah 
• Island Park, 200 First St, Neenah

Find more Fox Valley sledding options on Go Valley Kids.

Ice Skating

NEW for 2023! FREE winter ice skating at Menominee Park Zoo’s Lagoon on Saturdays and Sundays, noon to 4 pm from January 7 – February 19, 2023. Warm up at the Lake Fly Cafe Warming Shelter. Free ice skate rentals. For ice

• Scott Park, Omro
  • Enjoy the skating rink with hockey nets, a warming hut, and free ice skates.
• Tower Park, Tower Lane, Omro
  • This two-acre park is the highest point in the Omro and is great for sledding. 
• The Plaza at Gateway Park, 229 W Wisconsin Ave, Neenah
  • Enjoy ice skating at the City of Neenah’s newest ice skating rink. Admission fee for all skaters. Ice skates are also available to rent.
  • Check out this feature on Go Valley Kids.
• Washington Park, 631 W. Winneconne Ave., Neenah
  • Hours: 
    • Fridays: 4 – 8 pm
    • Saturdays: noon – 6 pm
    • Sundays: noon – 4 pm

Hiking

• Sheldon Nature Trail, Oshkosh
  • The Sheldon Nature Area is a 26-acre outdoor classroom and part of the Oshkosh Area School District. The trail also connects with Oakwood School. Enjoy the school playground during non-school days before or after your hike!
• Terrell’s Island, Omro
  • The trail is 2.4 miles long. Leashed dogs allowed.
  • As of Wednesday, December 7, 2022 the trails will be closed until further notice due to construction of the break wall.
• Waukau Creek Nature Preserve, Omro
  • 64 acre preserve off County K with self-guided rustic nature trails featuring interpretive signs and Waukau Creek. No dogs allowed.
• Wiouwash State Trail
  • This flat trail is perfect for walking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. There are many spots to catch the trail and you can customize your journey to fit your family’s abilities. Map of Winnebago County trail.
• Wolf Wilderness Trail, Town of Winneconne 
  • A pleasant, 1.5 mile route that takes walkers and bikers around the replacement wetlands created at the intersection of Highway 116 and GG. The trail may be accessed off of Kolb Road, where a parking area exists for trail users, or at the Park and Ride on County S. Wolf Wilderness Trail accesses the larger Wiouwash Trail.
• Hartman Creek State Park, Waupaca
  • 10 miles of varied trails in the park, from flat and 1 mile long to 4.87 miles of hiking trail. Snowshoeing allowed on 3.5 miles of trails snowshoeing and off-trail hiking allowed anywhere other than the 6 miles of groomed cross-country trails.

Snowshoeing

• Waukau Dam Mountain Bike Trail
  • Although this trail is known for winter biking, snowshoeing helps pack down the trail and is highly encouraged, especially after it snows. The Waukau Dam Mountain Bike Trail is a three-mile, single track mountain bike trail that flows along the steep hillsides and through the deep ravines of the Waukau Dam Nature Preserve.
• Hartman Creek State Park, N2480 Hartman Creek Rd, Waupaca
  • While the park does NOT rent snowshoes, you can rent them at Adventure Outfitters, LLC in nearby Waupaca at $15 per day per pair or 3 days for $25. Each additional day is $5.
  • The park is open from 6 am – 11 pm year-round. Check out the winter map to find the 3.5 miles of designated snowshoe trails. Keep reading here for more information about family fun & adventure ideas at Hartman Creek State Park.
  • dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/hartmancreek
• Norbert Rich School Forest, 5007 Ginnow Road, Omro
  • The Norbert Rich School Forest is a 43 ½ acre tree farm and forest to enjoy hiking, snowshoeing, nature photography, picnicking, bird watching and other wildlife viewing. Dogs are allowed on a leash.
  • Free and open to the public. Visit during daylight hours only and at your own risk.
  • Two portable toilets are available near the green shed.
  • www.facebook.com/Norbert-Rich-School-Forest

Cross Country Skiing

This winter, Winnebago County Community Park has nearly five miles of groomed cross-country trails. These trails are flat and great for beginners! For the open/close status of the cross-country ski trail please call (920)232-1960 and select option 5. The Oshkosh Recreation Department is also offering beginner cross-country ski lessons at the Winnebago County Community Park. 

FREE cross country ski rentals are available at Menominee Park Zoo on January 7-8 and February 18-19, 2023 from International Youth Sailing of Oshkosh.