Trail description: 24-mile multi-use trail from Marshland to Onalaska along the Mississippi River, connects with the La Crosse Trail in Onalaska. Access fee:State Trail Pass is required for bicyclists Towns along the trail: Marshland, Trempealeau, Onalaska (pop 11,000), WI Web site:WI State Trails Trail map: Trail surface: Crushed stone Designated activities: Bicycling, walking, snowmobiling, xc skiing Facilities on the trail: Tremplealeau and Onalaska have restaurants. Points of interest: Tremplealeau National Wildlife Refuge south of Marshland, 500-foot high cliffs at Perrot State Park, Museum of Modern Technology in La Crosse. Lodging: Onalaska and La Crosse have several choices of accommodations. Camping: Perrot State Park near Tremplealeau has 100 sites. Bike shops: A bike store is located in Onalaska Weather forecast:La Crosse Tourism info:Tremplealeau Chamber | Onalaska Tourism | La Crosse Visitors Bureau Getting to the trail: Parking lots are in Marshland, Tremplealeau and Onalaska, just north of La Crosse. Map of local region:Marshland | Tremplealeau | Onalaska
Trail name: Great River State Trail Times biking the trail: Date of last visit: , Sections that I biked: Onalaska-Tremp My favourite sections of the trail: 2 mile stretch north of Onalaska Best time to go: Spring or Fall Trail marking: Very good Trail maintenance: Very good Rating: 3 stars What I liked: Beautiful trail! What I disliked: Nada Comments: I think the stretch from Onalaska to about Midway is just amazing! Submitted by: EMS from: Onalaska (Now E.Lansing, MI) Date submitted: May 8, 2005
2
Trail name: Great River State Trail Times biking the trail: Weekly Date of last visit: Sept, 2004 Sections that I biked: All My favourite sections of the trail: Lytle's Landing to Trempealeau Best time to go: Spring-Summer-Fall Trail marking: Very good Trail maintenance: Very good Rating: 4 stars What I liked: The marshlands south of Trempealeau What I disliked: Trail is built on an old railroad bed, so there are some stretches between farm fields that aren't particularly scenic. Even those have thick trees along either side, so they aren't unpleasant. Comments: I'm writing this review as therapy, and to provide a different perspective than Brent Cohrs. Since reading his review, I find it difficult to take my once or twice a week ride on the trail without mentally writing this review in my head.
The marshlands south of Trempealeau have some of the most beautiful scenery I've ever seen; dense forests, river and creek crossings, open marshlands and prairie remnants. The wildlife is amazing. I've regularly seen Great Blue Herons, Great Egrets, numerous songbirds, racoons, deer, otter, turtles, and yes, slithering snakes and leaping frogs.
I've only taken one trip north of Trempealeau. A side trip to Perrot Park is definitely recommended, with it's bluffs and fantastic views of the Mississippi River. The "desolate" areas north of Trempealeau include a national wildlife refuge with open marshland and more extensive prairie remnants, and numerous marked nature trails. I suppose it's not for everyone, but if you want to see what this part of the country looked like before it was settled, drained, filled in and built upon, I can't think of a better place.
Thanks for listening. I feel better already. Submitted by: Dave Waffenschmidt from: Holmen, Wisconsin Date submitted: Sept 12, 2004
1
Trail name: Great River State Trail Times biking the trail: Once Date of last visit: Sept, 2002 Sections that I biked: Onalaska to the Marshland Access and back. My favourite sections of the trail: The first 4 miles in Onalaska where you can actually see the Mississippi River (Lake Onalaska). Best time to go: Summer Trail marking: Very good Trail maintenance: Fair Rating: 0.5 stars What I liked: The name leads you to believe that you'll see the Mississippi when all you actually see is marshland. The Perrot State Park is a somewhat redeeming side trip and a break from the swamps. What I disliked: If you don't like marshland, it's a long, boring ride from Onalaska to Trempealeau. There is nothing to see north of Perrot State Park. Nothing. Comments: Bring plenty of water. It's a long ride from Onalaska to Trempealeau with no services. Aside from the detour into Perrot State Park, there is absolutely NOTHING north of Trempealeau, except slithering snakes and leaping frogs. The scenery is farmland or marshland and in places it is very desolate. If you're riding all 4 trails, don't waste your time going past Onalaska. Submitted by: Brent Cohrs from: Bartlett, Illinois Date submitted: July 9, 2003
Rate this trail
