Aldo Leopold Legacy Trail System
La Crosse River State Trail

Four Trails in One
More Information
Prairie Walks

The 21.5-mile La Crosse River State Trail has been developed from the abandoned Chicago and Northwestern Railroad between Sparta and La Crosse.

The trail passes through the communities of West Salem, Bangor and Rockland.

La Crosse River State Trail Map [PDF 76KB]

Part of the La Crosse River State Trail runs alongside an active railroad line.
DNR Photo by Jayne Collins

The trail is open to walkers and bicyclists in spring through fall and snowmobiles in winter. Packed limestone screenings provide a smooth surface for bicycling. Mileage markers are posted every half mile on the 7-mile section between La Crosse and West Salem.

This trail lies in the La Crosse River valley and parallels an active rail line to the north. Prairie remnants, farmland, trout streams, hardwood forests and wetlands are found along the trail.

Campgrounds and public parks are in or near villages and cities adjoining the trail.

Blazing Star and other prairie plants grow along the trail.
Photo by Bob Lee

A bridge over the active rail line at Medary connects the La Crosse River State Trail to the Great River State Trail to the north. A bridge over Interstate Highway 90 in Sparta connects the La Crosse River Trail to the Elroy-Sparta State Trail on the east end.

State trail passes are required for bikers 16 and older. Daily and seasonal passes are available at the Sparta Depot - Trail Headquarters, 111 Milwaukee St., Sparta, and outlets in towns along the trail.

Prairie Walks

There are several prairie walks scheduled throughout the year along the trail on the La Crosse River Trail Prairies. Walkers can learn about native wildflowers and grasses and hear anecdotes related to prairies and local history.

The guided prairie walks [exit DNR] begin in Rockland at the trail crossing on Commercial Street and are led by local naturalist Bob Lee.

Four Trails in One

Western Wisconsin has a unique network of four connected state trails that provides over 100 miles of continuous trail for users to enjoy. The Great River, La Crosse River, Elroy-Sparta, and the "400" state trails link together unique natural ecosystems, Native American cultural sites, railroad depots and tunnels, and communities which have evolved from railroad towns to tourist destinations.

Bike 4 Trails is a cooperative effort between trail staff, friends groups, chamber of commerce groups, and tourism officials along the four trails. Visit the Bike 4 Trails Web page [exit DNR] for maps of the individual trails as well as a large overview of the entire trail system.

How to Get There

The trail roughly parallels Interstate Highway 90 between Sparta and La Crosse. There are trailheads at:

Biker on Trail
Biking on the La Crosse River State Trail.
DNR Photo by Bonnie Gruber

Sparta Depot, 111 Milwaukee Street, Sparta. Exit I-90 on State Highway 16/71 and go west about 2 miles to Water Street, then south about .6 mile to Milwaukee Street. The Sparta Depot serves as trail headquarters.
Bangor. Exit I-90 on State Highway 162 and go north about .3 mile.
Medary, about a mile east of North La Crosse. Exit I-90 on State Highway 16 and go south about 1.5 miles to County Highway B, then east about .3 mile.

More Information

For more information about camping and accommodations, restaurants and services, communities along the trail, events, history of the trail and trail pass vendors, please visit:

La Crosse River State Trail [exit DNR]