La Crosse River State Trail

For some longer, easier off-road running, there are two excellent multi-use trails in La Crosse that run into each other: the La Crosse River State Trail, which extends from North La Crosse to Sparta, and the Great River State Trail, which runs north from Onalaska to Marshland. Note: keep an eye out for snowmobiles in winter.

The La Crosse River State Trail is a crush stone surface trail that runs for 21 miles between northern La Crosse and Sparta, roughly paralleling I-90 for much of its length. The trail follows the former Chicago and North Western Railway through a mix of farmland, marshes, and some surviving prairie, headed east through West Salem, Bangor, and Rockland, ending at Sparta. There are markers every half-mile in the 7 miles between La Crosse and West Salem.

Add-Ons: At the La Crosse trailhead, can join the Great River State Trail. It’s 2.5 miles northwest to Onalaska, where you can run for 21 miles north to Marshland. In Sparta, you can also continue for up to 35 miles along the Elroy Sparta State Trail to Elroy.