Van Loon Wildlife Area/McGilvray Road

Van Loon Wildlife Area is a 3,918-acre property. It is located in the northwest corner of La Crosse County around 3.5 miles northwest of the Village of Holmen. The property extends 5 miles south of the Black River from Hwy 53/93 "Hunter's Bridge" to the community of New Amsterdam on County Trunk XX. The wildlife area originated as a lease project in 1948 (known as McGilvary Bottoms). Fee acquisition began in 1957 with the purchase of 758 acres from the William Van Loon estate. The property contains six historic McGilvray arch truss bridges [exit DNR] over the Black River built circa 1892.

The Bridges represent two styles of construction popular in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.  The Van Loon Wildlife area is a globally significant floodplain forest which is notable for its wide variety of wildlife.  It is listed under Wisconsin Important Bird Areas.

The trail and bridges are open only to pedestrian traffic.  There is no entrance fee and the trail is open 24/7.