Tribal Heritage Crossing Trail

  • 625 E County Road Y, Oshkosh, WI 54901

  • (920) 232-1960 |
  • Visit Website

ABOUT

Originally opened in 1955, Lake Butte Des Morts causeway was in need of an upgrade due to the increasing traffic volume. The Wisconsin DOT built a eight-lane crossing by widening it to the west. The new causeway opened in July 2013 and provides increased safety and improved traffic flow. As part of the US 41 project, the causeway trail offers runners, walkers, bikers and in-line skaters the ability to cross Lake Butte Des Morts on a trail which connects to the WIOUWASH State Recreation Trail on the north end of the Tribal Heritage Crossing Trail. The Tribal Heritage Trail provides access to fishing and info kiosk for all 11 of Wisconsin's Native American Tribes including the history of those tribes. The info kiosk overlooks an open window to the water system with history that is remarkable. It is the ancestral home to Native Americans who have been here since time immemorial. Lake Butte Des Morts is described as a vibrant river channel winding through a vast expanse of wild rice with fish, furbearing animals and waterfowl. In the 1850's the waterway changed dramatically with an influx of new settlers and industry, including two dams on the twin lower Fox River outlets of Lake Winnebago. *There is no fee to use the Tribal Heritage Crossing Trail *Dogs are allowed on the Tribal Heritage Crossing Trail but must remain on a maximum 8-foot leash, please clean up after your pet *Horses are not allowed on the Tribal Heritage Crossing Trail. *Motorized vehicles are not allowed on the Tribal Heritage Crossing Trail with the exception of those used for ADA accessibility *Snowmobiles and ATV's are not allowed on the Tribal Heritage Crossing Trail *There is a porta potty seasonally located on the Tribal Heritage Crossing Trail *All trails are "carry in - carry out" so no refuse containers will be positioned along the crossing *You can legally park at the Westwind Trail Head parking lot, or along Marine Drive on the north end of the crossing, or along Rath Lane and Butte Des Morts Drive on the south end of the crossing *All other ordinances in place for Winnebago County's Recreational Trails are enforced

MAP

AMENITIES

General
General
  • excerpt: As part of the US 41 project, the causeway trail offers runners, walkers, bikers and in-line skaters the ability to cross Lake Butte Des Morts on a trail which connects to the WIOUWASH State Recreation Trail on the north end of the Tribal Heritage Crossing Trail. The Tribal Heritage Trail provides access to fishing and info kiosk for all 11 of Wisconsin's Native American Tribes including the history of those tribes. The info kiosk overlooks an open window to the water system with history that is remarkable. It is the ancestral home to Native Americans who have been here since time immemorial. Lake Butte Des Morts is described as a vibrant river channel winding through a vast expanse of wild rice with fish, furbearing animals and waterfowl. In the 1850's the waterway changed dramatically with an influx of new settlers and industry, including two dams on the twin lower Fox River outlets of Lake Winnebago.
  • Family Friendly:
  • Handicap Accessible:
  • Onsite Parking:
  • Pet-Friendly:
  • Price:
    • Free
  • Region:
    • Along Highway 41