What could be better than some fun summer hikes with kids and grandkids? Here is a list of some great hikes to try around the area. Hikes can be adjusted for length and difficulty level depending on a child's age. All the hikes feature a chance for kids to get close to nature and hear and see amazing plants, rocks, riverlife and wildlife.
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| What do we see? Tiny scarlet elfin cup mushrooms Image - Greg Watson |
Great Walkable Hikes
Apple Blossom Overlook Park – County Road 1, just north of La Crescent at the top of the bluffJust north of La Crescent, this is actually a Winona Co park. Approximately 2 miles of moderate, well maintained, mostly grassy connecting trails. with some significant elevation gains at the beginning/end of hike. One of the best, most accessible Mississippi overlooks in the area is at the parking lot. Oak forests (can be mosquito-y);;, large prairie flower plantings, wildlife, birds are found in this former orchard/quarry area. Picnic tables. Challenging trails to two additional outlooks but no safety features so supervision needed. No restroom facilities. Good for any walkers.
Beaver Creek Valley State Park - 15954 County 1, Caledonia
Veteran’s Park Ravine Trail – 595 Veteran’s Parkway, La Crescent
Vetsch/Vollenweider/Stoney Point Park – 722 N. 2nd St, La Crescent
One of two bluff city parks. Well-used by hikers, bikers and dog walkers, the unmarked 3-4 miles of trails wind back and forth along switchbacks across the park. Lower, grassy, family-friendly trails feature mowed grass and features include a pollinator prairie, remnant apple orchard and windmill and rare spring wildflowers. The more challenging dirt trails are perfect for teens and older kids with a lot of elevation gain and loss up to Stoney Point with iconic views of the city and Blue Lake and Mississippi river bluffs and sloughs. Porta-potties in summer. Low trails are good for any walkers.
Great River Bluffs State Park - 43605 Kipp Drive, Winona (off Hwy 90)
Our nearest state park has moderate trails to many amazing overlooks. The longest, King’s Bluff Overlook, has moderate elevation changes and beautiful overlooks including the final one. Approximately 3 miles out and back. There are shorter, easy hikes to North and South Overlooks – approximately 1/3 mile out and back. East Overlook ridge trail along the road to the campground is moderate for elevation gains and has wildflowers and Mississippi River views. Approximately 1.5 miles out and back from each. Restroom facilities and well-marked trails. Good for walkers.
Starting at Veteran's Park (where kids can find a La Crescent Public Library Storywalk to read as they walk in the summer), easy gravel/grass trail (with paved section starting at the ball diamond) extends up to McIntosh Road E. There are a few easy ups and downs as you wind below neighborhood houses. Great area to spot deer, wildlife and wildflowers. This trail also provides access to east trailhead at Eagle’s Bluff park which is steep so best for older kids. Porta-potties in summer. Approximately 1 mile out and back. Good for any walkers.
One of two bluff city parks. Well-used by hikers, bikers and dog walkers, the unmarked 3-4 miles of trails wind back and forth along switchbacks across the park. Lower, grassy, family-friendly trails feature mowed grass and features include a pollinator prairie, remnant apple orchard and windmill and rare spring wildflowers. The more challenging dirt trails are perfect for teens and older kids with a lot of elevation gain and loss up to Stoney Point with iconic views of the city and Blue Lake and Mississippi river bluffs and sloughs. Porta-potties in summer. Low trails are good for any walkers.
Our nearest state park has moderate trails to many amazing overlooks. The longest, King’s Bluff Overlook, has moderate elevation changes and beautiful overlooks including the final one. Approximately 3 miles out and back. There are shorter, easy hikes to North and South Overlooks – approximately 1/3 mile out and back. East Overlook ridge trail along the road to the campground is moderate for elevation gains and has wildflowers and Mississippi River views. Approximately 1.5 miles out and back from each. Restroom facilities and well-marked trails. Good for walkers.
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| Silvery checkerspot butterfly |
Cross the bridge and hike an easy flat trail next to the trout stream (filled with native wild trout) for approximately 2-3 miles on grass trails (can be out and back or use loops to return). There are also steeper, more challenging trails that are relatively short but feature significant elevation gain to views. Quiet hikers often spot deer. A hidden gem. Good for walkers.
McGilvray 7 Bridges - N8327 Amsterdam Prairie Road, Holmen
Located in the Van Loon Wildlife area, the six historic bridges on the trail and the wetlands are key features on this trail that ends at the Black River. Plenty of wildflowers and wildlife on this flat former road. Not recommended during high water or in the height of mosquito season. But winter and fall are great seasons; this is also a hunting area so wear blaze colors and stay on trail. Approximately 3.5 miles out and back. Good for walkers.
McGilvray 7 Bridges - N8327 Amsterdam Prairie Road, Holmen
Located in the Van Loon Wildlife area, the six historic bridges on the trail and the wetlands are key features on this trail that ends at the Black River. Plenty of wildflowers and wildlife on this flat former road. Not recommended during high water or in the height of mosquito season. But winter and fall are great seasons; this is also a hunting area so wear blaze colors and stay on trail. Approximately 3.5 miles out and back. Good for walkers.
Halfway Creek Park, - 300 W. Roberts St, Holmen
Fairly flat with some rolling hills on grass/dirt trails for views of a beautiful sand prairie with abundant wildlife and wildflowers. There is a 1.3 mile boundary trail and a shorter .5 mile trail through the center of the Mississippi Valley Conservancy property. Good for walkers.
Xe Xete and Ni Tani Gateway Trails - Hixon Forest, 3020 Grandad Bluff Rd, La Crosse
Explore the old east and west quarries below Grandad’s Bluff on these mostly flat dirt and rock trails (elevation gain/loss just at the beginning on the Wilder trail that accesses the Xe Xete/Ni Tani trails). Spectacular views of the city, rock formations, wildflowers. Multi-use bike trails so be aware. Pit toilets at the trailhead parking lot. Approximately 1 mile for each trail loop from the parking lot and back. Good for walkers.
Explore the old east and west quarries below Grandad’s Bluff on these mostly flat dirt and rock trails (elevation gain/loss just at the beginning on the Wilder trail that accesses the Xe Xete/Ni Tani trails). Spectacular views of the city, rock formations, wildflowers. Multi-use bike trails so be aware. Pit toilets at the trailhead parking lot. Approximately 1 mile for each trail loop from the parking lot and back. Good for walkers.
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| A sea of lupines Trempealeau Nat'l Wildlife Refuge |
Head south on Hwy 35 to Ferryville until about 1 mile south of town and turn left on N. Buck Road. Drive up about a mile until you see a Mississippi Valley Conservancy kiosk on the left. You’re almost on the top of this beautiful mixed savannah/oak prairie and mixed hardwood trail (1.5 miles out and back) that leads out to a great high view of the Mississippi River and MN/IA bluffs. There are slight elevation gains on this grass and dirt trail. Good for walkers.
Paved 5 mile easy trail around the lake. Features restrooms, picnic tables, shelters, wildflowers, wildlife and great lake views. Hike the long loop or do small out and back sections. A lovely stop for kids is the all-accessible "Every Child's Dream Playground". Stroller friendly, good for any walkers.
La Crosse Marsh Trails - Riverside and Myrick Parks (789 Myrick Park Dr, La Crosse)
Many miles of mostly flat, paved or graveled intersecting trails through the La Crosse Marsh and it's wetlands. Features include wildflowers, waterfowl, wildlife, great views, benches, lookout on the march, bridges. Low-lying areas of the trail can be impassable during high water times. Stroller friendly on paved trails, good for any walkers.
Pettibone Park - 700 North Pettibone Drive, La Crosse
Flat paved trails around lagoon as well as walking along the road next to the Mississippi River. Good place to spot eagles and enjoy the historic gazebo and artesian well. Disc golfers can be inaccurate so keep an eye out. Approximately 1 mile loop. Stroller friendly, good for any walkers.
Upper Mississippi National Wildlife and Fish Refuge Visitor Center - Brice Prairie, N5727 Cty Rd Z, Onalaska
Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge - W228488 Refuge Road, Trempealeau WI
Fun short trails to do with kids especially in spring and fall during waterfowl and bird migration times. Trails are gravel or dirt. Restrooms available along with prairie wildflowers, great views of bluffs and the Mississippi. Good for walkers.
Bluffside Park Wildwood Trail - east Wincrest Drive, Winona MN
A great mix of woods, tiny prairies, great bluff views and views of Winona below. This rim trail starts at the top and winds aound a 2 mile loop (or you can make it an easy out-and-back for a shorter walk). The summer ferns are incredible here. This is a shared bike route so be aware. Good for walkers.
Stroller-Friendly (as well as Walkable)
Winona Lake Park Walk - W. Lake St, WinonaPaved 5 mile easy trail around the lake. Features restrooms, picnic tables, shelters, wildflowers, wildlife and great lake views. Hike the long loop or do small out and back sections. A lovely stop for kids is the all-accessible "Every Child's Dream Playground". Stroller friendly, good for any walkers.
Riverside Park and International Gardens - 100 State St, La Crosse
Flat paved trail along the Mississippi River. Features include the levee, fountain, benches, restrooms, bandshell, colorful gardens and gazebo. Approximately 1.5 mile loop. Stroller friendly, good for any walkers.
Flat paved trail along the Mississippi River. Features include the levee, fountain, benches, restrooms, bandshell, colorful gardens and gazebo. Approximately 1.5 mile loop. Stroller friendly, good for any walkers.
Many miles of mostly flat, paved or graveled intersecting trails through the La Crosse Marsh and it's wetlands. Features include wildflowers, waterfowl, wildlife, great views, benches, lookout on the march, bridges. Low-lying areas of the trail can be impassable during high water times. Stroller friendly on paved trails, good for any walkers.
Easy, flat paved trail through wetlands, woods. Features include pond, bridge, playground, restroom, shelter, outdoor classroom, stony cliffs near the end to look at. La Crosse Public Library sponsors Storywalk pages throughout the walk. Approximately ¾ miles out to Pammel Creek Rd and back. Stroller friendly, good for any walkers.
Pettibone Park - 700 North Pettibone Drive, La Crosse
Flat paved trails around lagoon as well as walking along the road next to the Mississippi River. Good place to spot eagles and enjoy the historic gazebo and artesian well. Disc golfers can be inaccurate so keep an eye out. Approximately 1 mile loop. Stroller friendly, good for any walkers.
Hugelheim, Paul Stry Nature Preserve (open April 15- November 1) - W58245 Hwy 33
A lovely gem hidden off Hwy 33 with paved trail, water features, wildflowers and bridges over a burbling Pammel Creek along the way. While the walk along the two loops is short (under ¾ of a mile), the benches all along the way invite quiet contemplation and taking time to enjoy abundant bird and wildlife. Stroller friendly, good for any walkers.
A lovely gem hidden off Hwy 33 with paved trail, water features, wildflowers and bridges over a burbling Pammel Creek along the way. While the walk along the two loops is short (under ¾ of a mile), the benches all along the way invite quiet contemplation and taking time to enjoy abundant bird and wildlife. Stroller friendly, good for any walkers.
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| The mighty Mississippi River |
Easy paved/gravel trails wind through sand prairie and to a Lake Onalaska outlook deck. Abundant flowers, wildlife and an excellent Visitor Center. Restrooms available. Approximately 2.5 miles of trail loops. Stroller friendly, good for any walkers.
Images, unless noted - Marge Loch-Wouters
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| Ferns at Winona’s Bluffside Park are taller than kids! Image - Lloyd Lorenz |
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