Trail description: La Crosse River State Trail is a 22-mile multi-use trail from Onalaska to Sparta. It connects with the Great River Trail to the west and the Elroy-Sparta Trail and 400 Trail to the east to form a continuous 100 mile trail. Access fee:State Trail Pass is required for bicyclists Towns along the trail: Onalaska (pop 11,000), West Salem, Bangor, Rockland, Sparta (pop 7,800), WI Web site:La Crosse River State Trail | WI State Trails Trail map: Available on the trail's website Trail surface: Crushed limestone Designated activities: Bicycling, walking, snowmobiling Facilities on the trail: Restaurants and water are available in Onalaska and Sparta. Points of interest: Lodging: Onalaska, La Crosse and Sparta have several choices of accommodations. Camping: Neshonoc Lakeside Campground near West Salem has 227 sites 608-786-1792 Bike shops: Onalaska and Sparta have bike stores. Weather forecast:La Crosse Tourism info:Onalaska Tourism | La Crosse Visitors Bureau | Sparta Visitors Bureau Getting to the trail: Onalaska trailhead is southeast of town, half a mile east of the intersection of Highway 16 and County Road B. Sparta trailhead in south of town on Water St. Map of local region:Onalaska | West Salem | Bangor | Rockland | Sparta
Trail name: La Crosse River State Trail Times biking the trail: Once Date of last visit: Sept, 2002 Sections that I biked: Sparta to Onalaska and back. My favourite sections of the trail: The endpoints at Sparta and Onalaska. Best time to go: Summer Trail marking: Very good Trail maintenance: Very good Rating: 2 stars What I liked: The scenery is mostly farmland as you parallel railroad tracks or I-90. There is a decent amount of shade. What I disliked: Lack of interesting scenery. Lack of services in the towns along the way. Comments: If you're in Sparta and you've already done the Elroy-Sparta Trail, this isn't a bad out-and-back ride, though not nearly as scenic. Onalaska is of decent size (Walmart, Bakers Square, Comfort Inn, etc) and a good place to take a break. The other little towns along the way will disappoint with the lack of restrooms, let alone restaurants. The La Crosse River isn't much of a river, you won't even notice it. Submitted by: Brent Cohrs from: Bartlett, Illinois Date submitted: July 9, 2003
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