La Crosse River State Trail

Features

  • Difficulty
    • Easy
  • Natural Attractions Type
    • Parks, Forests, Trails
  • Trail Length (miles)
    • 22
  • State and National Trails
    • Yes
  • Trails
    • Yes

La Crosse River State Trail

111 Milwaukee St - Sparta, WI 54656
Information: 608-337-4775
Open 6 am to 11 pm year round.
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A delightful 21.5-mile ride along the La Crosse River between Sparta and La Crosse. The trail is a middle link between the Elroy-Sparta Trail and the Great River Trail. On the way it runs close to an active rail line and a wave from the train engineers is always guaranteed. In Bangor, a short spur trail takes you to a pleasant town park. West Salem has a number of historic buildings including the home of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Hamlin Garland and the unique Palmer-Gullickson Octagon Home. In the mid-19th century, octagon houses were thought to be the ideal human habitation. The theory was promoted by a man named Orson Fowler. He also believed you could tell a person's character by the bumps on their head. Neither idea caught on as well as the bike trail.