Apple Blossom Overlook Park’s New Look

Looking towards the southeast
from the prairie

Last January I did an update on the happenings at Apple Blossom Overlook Park. The quick recap is that Winona County undertook a big project to have a portion of the forest that had come to obscure the blufftop vistas logged off. 

Everything looked rough as the forest mowing and logging was being done in the cold, sere winter with muddy trails chewed up by the heavy equipment- but the views that were opened up the river and bluffs was spectacular even then.

I returned recently to check out the results. It is nothing short of amazing. Huge swaths of sumac that were crowding into the trails  on the prairie were removed. The prairies now have their own widened views of prairie forbs and pollinators. 

And, with the forest canopy dressed in its lush green of coat of summer foliage, the park has once more taken its place as one of the more dramatic overlooks above the upper Mississippi River. There are clear views of Lock and Dam 7, the airport, Hwy 90, parts of La Crosse and the Wisconsin bluffs. 

I hope you check it out. Here are just a few shots of the transformation to encourage you to drop by for a hike and some great view.

After - 2026 eastern river view after logging

Before - 2015 riverview before logging
Image - Nola Larson

2026 - Lock & Dam & is visible from the trails

2026 - a northeastern view from the top of the Overlook trail

2026 - another northeastern view
further down the same trail

2026 - no sumac looking west up into the prairie

Images, unless noted - Marge Loch-Wouters