High Cliff State Park
Frequently Asked Questions About Camping

We often get questions from campers on the topics listed below.

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Alcoholic Beverages

Alcoholic beverages are allowed at your campsite. The park enforces a zero-tolerance policy on underage drinking.

Bathroom / Shower Facilities

A flush toilet/shower building, open seasonally, is in the family campground for overnight guests. There are several vault toilets throughout the campground.

A seasonal flush toilet/shower building is in the marina for overnight boaters and their guests.

There are flush toilets near the Lower Shelter (open seasonally) and near the Pavilion and the Red Bird Statue (open year-round) for day use.

Camping Units

Only one wheeled camping unit is allowed per site. Exception will be made if a truck camper or motor home tows in a trailer as part of the camping unit. Multiple tents are allowed on any site as room allows.

Campground Host

Campground hosts stay on site 58 from April through October. Hosts help to maintain campground facilities and grounds, help campers comply with rules, and provide visitor information and non-emergency help.

Check In / Check Out Times

Check in / check out time is 3 p.m. Earlier occupation may be possible if the site was not occupied the night before. If you are unable to leave by 3 p.m., contact park staff immediately.

Dumping Stations

The sanitary dump station is free to use by all registered campers. There is a fee of $3 for others to use our dump station. If you do not have a vehicle admission sticker, you must buy one in addition to paying the dump fee.

Eviction

If you or your guests violate any state laws or Department of Natural Resources rules, you may be evicted from the park, have your camping permit revoked, and lose any fees you have paid.

Extending Stay / Switching Sites

Any extensions must be requested the day before the expiration date on the camping permit -- subject to site availability. Campers may not switch sites without prior approval.

Fees

Camping fees only cover camping. Vehicle admission stickers are also required. Daily stickers sold to registered campers expire at 11 p.m. the day after the date of issue. The day of departure does not require an additional purchase.

Fires / Firewood Sales

Fires are allowed in fire rings and grills only. Do not leave fires unattended, and put out all fires before leaving your campsite. Do not burn garbage, plastic, glass, cans or other recyclable items.

Help protect our park. We encourage you to leave firewood at home and buy the firewood available locally. Firewood from other states or more than 50 miles away and from quarantined areas is not allowed in Wisconsin state parks and forests. This will limit the spread of pests and diseases that threaten Wisconsin forests. If you bring your own, make sure to burn all that you bring.

Fireworks

Fireworks are illegal. Anything that flies or explodes is considered a firework. "Snakes" and sparklers are allowed. Always ask a ranger before using anything that may be questionable.

First-come, First-served Camping

All High Cliff State Park campsites are reservable April through October. No reservations are accepted for camping November through May. Campers who register for a site when the park office is open may register for up to 14 days if the site is not already reserved during the time period requested. Campers who arrive when the park office is closed may self-register for one night and must then stop at the park office to register for additional days based on availabilty.

Food and Camping Concessions

The Marina store sells food and camping supplies. The General Store/Museum sells candy/snacks and cold beverages,a few camping supplies, and Friends of High Cliff merchandise.

Garbage and Recycling

Garbage and recycling bins on the campground entrance road are for campers' use. Removal of garbage and recyclables from your campsite helps eliminate smells and mess, and discourages unwanted pests. Day-use visitors should take their garbage and recyclables home. More...

Gift Shop

You may buy nature-related books, T shirts, sweatshirts, hats, novelty items, etc. at the park office. Purchases support the Friends of the High Cliff State Park [exit DNR], which provides funding for programs and special projects in the park.

Length of Stay

No person may camp and no camping unit may remain in the park longer than 14 days in any 21-day period. After 14 days, the camping unit and camping party must be removed from the park for at least seen days before being eligible to return.

Mopeds

Mopeds are allowed, when operated by a licensed driver, and must have a vehicle admission sticker. When a vehicle is towed into the park, a "courtesy" vehicle admission sticker will be issued upon request at no additional charge. Mopeds are not allowed off-road or on trails.

Motor Vehicles

Vehicle admission stickers are required. This fee is in addition to the camping fee. Vehicles are restricted to the designated parking area on each campsite. No more than 2 motor vehicles (6 motorcycles) allowed per campsite unless otherwise stated. Stickers must be purchased in advance or upon arrival. Self registration is available when the park office is closed.

Naturalist Programs

Campers are welcome to attend any of many public programs throughout the park. Call ahead or check on the web to see if there is a program you'd like to attend during your camping stay.

Occupants

A camping party is defined as any individual, family or non-family group occupying a campsite. A "non-family group" may not exceed 6 persons. Family is limited to parent or parents with their dependent children and not more than 2 guests.

Exceptions: Group Campground sites allow more occupants. See group campground map for number of occupants allowed per site.

Occupation of Site

A camping unit must occupy a reserved site by 3 p.m. on the second day of the reservation and be present for the duration of the reservation. All registrants without an advance camping reservation must occupy the site with a camping unit the first night of the registration and every night thereafter.

One-Night Reservations

One-night family campsite reservations may be made starting May 15 and ending October 15 each year for any time between those dates.

Park Hours

The park is closed between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.. All visitors must leave the park by 11 p.m. During closed hours, campers must be in or en route to their registered campsite. No one may set up or take down a camping unit during closed hours.

Pets

Pets are permitted in the campgrounds. Never leave your pet unattended.

Playground Equipment

Wooden playground equipment is available in the campground. There are other swings, merry-go-rounds and slides are throughout the park.

Poison Ivy

Poison ivy can be found in the park. Identification cards are available at the park office.

Quiet Hours

Noise on a campsite may not interfere with others' enjoyment of the park at any time.

Raccoons and Other Animals

Racoons have been seen on numerous occasions, particularly in the campground. At times they can be bold and come very close to you, your camping party, and your food! Do not feed them. Feeding conditions them to expect food and cause future problems (return callers). Always remove garbage and recyclables from your site daily to discourage raccoons' nighttime visits.

Reservations

You can reserve a campsite 11 months in advance. We recommend reservations for weekend camping from late spring through October. Availability depends upon the time of year, day of week, and where you plan to camp. Call the park if you are not sure if reservations will be needed.

To reserve a site, use the Web or call (888) 947-2757, TTY (800) 274-7275. If you have difficulties making reservations online, call Reserve America's help line at (800) 372-3607. Reservations must be made at least 48 hours before the site is to be occupied.

Self-Registration

Self-registration is available when the park office is closed. Instructions are posted in the park office window next to the yellow pay vault.

Severe Weather

In the event of severe weather, if staffing allows, rangers will try to warn park users over the squad's loudspeaker system of the threat. Additional emergency weather information posted on bulletin boards throughout the park, including what to do and which radio stations to listen to.

Site Descriptions

Partial site descriptions are available on the Web. Each description includes the maximum vehicle length, number of vehicles, driveway length, doublewide driveway or not, back-in or pull-through, paved or gravel, and shady or open.

More campsite information can be found on the campground maps which are available on the web or at by calling the park office.

Swimming

The state park has one swimming beach.

Tackle Loan Program

Rods, reels and basic tackle are available at the park office. There is no cost to borrow the equipment. You will need to provide your own bait. Anyone 16 or older will need a Wisconsin Fishing License.

Water Availability

Wells, water fountains and water at the dump stations are turned on and off depending upon the threat of freezing. High Cliff does not offer on-site water hookups. Water is available at the Pavilion Shelter bathroom building or at the park office when the water is turned off in the campgrounds.

Wisconsin Explorers

Wisconsin Explorer booklets for children ages 3 and up are available at the park office. When your child has finished the required tasks, stop back to pick up his or her patch.

For more information, ask:

High Cliff State Park
N7630 State Park Rd.
Sherwood, WI 54169
(920) 989-1106

Linda Guelig, Visitor Services
Jason Wiese, Park Manager