Boating

Even if you know nothing else about La Crosse, you probably know it has rivers. The Black River runs 190 miles from Taylor County in north central Wisconsin to its mouth here in La Crosse, where it mingles with the nearly 8,000-acre Lake Onalaska and the mighty Mississippi. The La Crosse River begins some 60 miles northeast of La Crosse in Monroe County and joins the Mississippi just north of Riverside Park in downtown La Crosse. And of course there’s the Mississippi itself, over 2,300 miles long, the lifeblood of La Crosse and communities like it for hundreds of years. The confluence of these rivers means miles and miles of winding channels, hidden backwaters, and open river–basically, a boater’s dream, perfect for water skiing, fishing, or just cruising and relaxing. La Crosse County is well-provisioned in resources and outfitters to make any boating excursion possible for you. And be sure to check out our paddling and fishing pages for more information specific to those topics.

Marinas, Launches, and Harbors:

Black River Beach & Boat Landing

Black River Beach was opened in June of 1947 and is located on the north side of La Crosse. During the summer, you can swim, fish, play volleyball, take your boat out on the river, and enjoy the open area. There also is a bath house and restrooms for washing up.

La Crosse Municipal Boat Harbor

The La Crosse Municipal Boat Harbor is maintained and operated by the City of La Crosse, and is located on Isle la Plume on the east bank of the Mississippi. Open to the public–permit required (Daily: $3/5 residents/non-residents, Annual: $10/15 residents/non-residents)