Blog

La Crosse, Wisconsin, located along the banks of the Mississippi River, is a city filled with fun outdoor activities throughout the year. Enjoy the sights of La Crosse from a riverboat cruise on the mighty Mississippi or in nature on a hiking trail. The area is a paradise for those who love recreation. Discover some outdoor activities available in the vicinity of La Crosse. more Fun at the River The Upper Mississippi has an abundance of small islands, channels, and pools ideal for fishing and kayaking. If you haven't considered them, the La Crosse River and the Black River offer further spots to explore. These rivers are home to many fish species, such as walleye, northern pike, shovelhead sturgeon, perch, and sunfish. Contact the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for information on licensing and fishing regulations. Although not on the river, ice fishing in winter is popular at Lake Onalaska and Lake Neshonoc. Kayaking is available for all levels. Take your family on a comfortable and relaxing canoe ride through the wetland courses. Or you may prefer the more strenuous kayaking along the Mississippi, Black, or La Crosse rivers. You'll also appreciate the many canoe trails and launches in the area. Some of the popular kayaking trails include Long Lake Trail, Lake Onalaska Canoe Trail, and Brown's Marsh Canoe Area (Lytle's Landing). Hiking Around La Crosse The superb scenery around La Crosse is impressive, from forests and mountains to marshes and prairies. Don't overlook the rivers, lakes, and waterways either. Well-maintained hiking trails in the area offer a stroll or an adrenaline-pumping, steep climb. The hiking and biking trails winding through the woods in Hixon Forest give access to Grandad Bluff Park, known for its views across La Crosse and the river valley. La Crosse River Marsh offers running, walking, and biking paved and gravel trails. These trails connect from Riverside Park to the Great River State Trail, Myrick Park, and Hixon Forest. Other areas to explore include the Mississippi Valley Conservancy and Green Coulee. The Outdoor Recreation Alliance promotes the development of sustainable environmental trails in the region. These trails are for everyone to use. Hiking, biking, birding, trail running, skiing, and snowshoeing are popular on them. Winter Activities As winter approaches, it's no reason to hibernate. The La Crosse region features winter activities for everyone. Mount La Crosse, a popular ski hill in the area, has various runs for skiers and snowboarders. In addition, the Mileway is the longest run in Wisconsin. Cross country skiers may enjoy trails in Black River State Park, Perrot State Park, Goose Island Park, and the Great River Trail. Other winter activities include snowmobiling, sledding, and ice skating. The three mighty rivers and surrounding scenic bluffs make La Crosse County perfect for outdoor recreation. From the activities that' we've mentioned above in this post to cruising the Mississippi River or playing a golf game, you'll find something for everyone in the La Crosse area. It's fun and easy to get active in La Crosse.

Whether you want an outdoor adventure or a relaxing walk in nature, La Crosse, Wisconsin, has a hiking trail for you. Learn about five of the best trails in the area. more 1. Mississippi Valley Conservancy The Mississippi Valley Conservancy is over 15,000 acres of Wisconsin prairies and wetland ecosystems. There are more than 10 trails that span across several preservation areas. These trails vary in difficulty, so if you are up for a more challenging hike, trails like the La Crosse Blufflands South Hass Tract are ideal. If you want to get exercise while enjoying the scenery, opt for flatter trails such as the Beck Tract and the La Cross River Conservancy. 2. La Crosse River Marsh Hiking Trails The La Crosse River Marsh Hiking Trails loop through Riverside Park, Hixon Forest, Great River State Trail, and Myrick Park. The trails consist of paved and gravel walkways that are perfect for jogging, walking, or bike riding. As you embark on a hike on this network of trails, you can observe the surrounding wetland ecosystem and native wildlife such as painted turtles, great blue herons, Canada geese, and beavers. 3. Hixon Forest Hixon Forest provides 10 miles of woodlands for hikers to explore. Trails are split into Upper Hixon Trails and Lower Hixon Trails, both of which offer hiking for all skill levels. In the Upper Hixon area, there are beginner trails, such as the Prairie Loop and Twister, for a relaxing stroll. If you want a challenge, try one of the several intermediate trails including Moonshine, Boulder, and Still Hill, while difficult trails include Vadar and Chicanery. On the Lower Hixon Trails, there are beginner and intermediate hiking opportunities on the Birch and Hickory trails, while the Bicentennial trail offers a variety of beginner, intermediate, and advanced hiking terrain. 4. Prairie Walk The Prairie Walk trail is located on Brice Prairie as part of the Upper Mississippi U.S. Fish & Wildlife Visitor Center. You can observe wildlife and admire native plant species as you go for a run or walk. This is a flat trail composed of pavement and gravel, making it an easy and relaxing 2.1-mile hike. Before your hike, stop by the visitor center to watch an informational video about the wildlife you can see during certain times of the year. You can also check out the River Walk exhibit to see what goes on underwater. 5. Greens Coulee Park Greens Coulee Park has a network of trails that stretch through wetlands and surrounding ecosystems. These include the Clearwater Marsh Trail, Clearwater Trail, Garland Meadow Trail, Humfeld Summit Trail, Loggers Loop North and South Trails, Pierce Path, South Fork Trail, and the Whitetail Run Trail. Each trail is easy to moderate in difficulty, and each trail is under 1 mile long. The longest trail is the Clearwater Trail with 0.5 miles to explore. The next time you need a place to spend time in nature and get some exercise, consider going to one of these hiking destinations in La Crosse. Photo by Eric Sanman from Pexels