Oshkosh, WI Residents Take Advantage of Great Outdoors
Assets include excellent waterways and top trails.
Wet or dry, warm or winter cold, Oshkosh’s river, lakes and park system keep residents active.
In This Article
Embrace All Four
Oshkosh is a city that welcomes all four seasons. Average temperatures in the community during the four seasons are 26 degrees in January, 55 in April, 82 in July and 60 in October.
A River Runs Through It
Oshkosh is a city defined by its lakes and rivers. The Fox River flows through the center of town and Lake Winnebago is just to the east, and just to the west are the Wolf River and its associated lakes.
Lake Winnebago is the crown jewel in the system, spanning 28 miles long and 10 miles wide to offer year-round recreational opportunities.
Off the Hook
Water skiing and kayaking are popular activities on Lake Winnebago, and there are a lot of fishing tournaments held here in Oshkosh every year. The chances of snagging a big one are excellent because lurking just beneath the surface of the sparkling clean waters are northern pike, bass, perch, catfish and many other fish worthy of the dinner table. Oshkosh is famous for its annual winter Sturgeon Spearing Tournament on the ice.
Sail Away
Sailing is quite popular both in summer and winter along Lake Winnebago. All of the local yacht clubs offer sailing schools.
Get Out and Exercise
Many trails in Oshkosh and Winnebago County are perfect for walking, biking, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and horseback riding. Top-rated spots include Mascoutin Valley State Trail, Oshkosh Riverwalk, Terrell’s Island Trail, Tribal Heritage Trail and Wiouwash State Trail. Oshkosh also has numerous community parks.
Trail Mix
Hikers, bikers, joggers, horseback riders, cross-country skiers and snowmobilers share the picturesque Wiouwash Trail along an abandoned Chicago & North Western Railroad corridor. The route winds through woods, marshes, farm fields and prairies, with some portions running alongside the Fox River. Farther north, the trail winds through the scenic Rat River Wildlife Management Area.