Signature Sights of La Crosse County

Grandad Bluff

Grandad Bluff has become not only a destination point for thousands, but also a symbol of the beautiful Coulee Region. The 600-ft high bluff overlooks the city of La Crosse. The view of the Mississippi River Valley includes the three states of Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa. Wisconsin Trails readers voted this “the most scenic view in the state”. The park features a shelter house, coin-operated binoculars, picnic areas and is the site of the annual Skyrocker`s New Year`s Eve Fireworks Show.

Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe

The Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe will forever be a spiritual destination for visitors from all over the world.  The Shrine is nestled in on over 100 acres of God’s Country in the Mississippi River Valley. In addition to the many beautiful chapels, statues, gardens, and devotional areas, the Shrine has a full service café and gift shop open daily.

Great River Landing

The Great River Landing in Onalaska, WI plays host to the trailhead of the Great River State Trail with showers and locker rooms for bicyclists enjoying the 101 miles of interconnecting state trails. During the winter months users can enjoy hiking, snowshoeing or cross country skiing. The landing also offers beautiful views of the surrounding area including Lake Onalaska.

Great River Road

Up for a road trip? Enjoy beautiful scenery, access to excellent hiking, fishing, scenic overlooks, and of course the picturesque Mississippi River along the Wisconsin Great River Road. U.S. Highway 35 covers 250 miles in the state of Wisconsin, from Prescott in the north to Kieler in the south.

Upper Mississippi National Wildlife Refuge

The Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge has a Visitor Center on Brice Prairie with many displays and exhibits, a bookstore, and over two miles of trail through a renovated sand prairie. The refuge is 261 miles long, the longest in the nation and one of the most visited. The Refuge has 96 miles of marked canoe trails. Including the Lake Onalaska Canoe Trail starting at Lytle’s Landing on Brice Praire and traveling through the backwaters to Lake Onalaska.

7 Bridges Road & the Van Loon State Wildlife Area

The historic McGilvray “7 Bridges” Road trail is located in the Van Loon State Wildlife Area in Northwest La Crosse County. The trail is 1.8 miles long, one way. It was formerly a County Road which contains a unique combination of five rare bowstring arch truss bridges and one low truss bridge which was adopted from Pierce County. 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 and is a great trail to snowshoe or cross country ski.

Wisconsin State Bike Trails

Four rail-bed trails spanning nearly 101 miles from Reedsburg, WI, to Marshland, WI, offer some of the best hiking and biking in the region. The trails take you through marshes and valleys, along the rivers, and offer access to several communities, parks, and recreation areas, including Perrot State Park, Veteran’s Memorial Park, and the La Crosse River Prairies State Natural Area. Snowmobiles occupy the trails in the winter but they are also open to those looking to cross country ski, snowshoe, or hike.

Sunny the Sunfish

A quick drive north of downtown Onalaska along the Great River Road (Hwy 35) takes you to the Sunny the Sunfish sculpture and a scenic overlook perched above Lake Onalaska. Take a quick picture with Sunny and then soak in the multifaceted hues over Lake Onalaska.