Paddling in the La Crosse Region

Paddling

The meandering waterways of the La Crosse area are an absolute paradise for paddlers of every stripe. Take the family on a gentle canoe ride through relaxing wetland courses, or enjoy moderate to strenuous kayaking adventures along the Mississippi, Black, or La Crosse Rivers. Canoe trails, launches, and outfitters abound in the area, making it one of the best paddling destinations in the region. Check out this excellent map of canoe launches in the area to find the most convenient access point for you!

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Paddling 3 Landing Page Gallery

Goose Island Entrance

Goose Island Campground & Park

Just a few miles south of downtown La Crosse lies Wisconsin’s largest county campground. Situated directly on the Mississippi River, Goose Island Campground is popular for its nature trails, excellent fishing, and beautiful views and sunsets. The canoe trail has seven miles of moderate paddling that will take you 4 to 5 hours to complete. Half of the trip will be paddling against the current, and strong currents are possible during high water. Canoe rentals are available from the Goose Island County Park. Directions from La Crosse: Take HWY 35 S to Cnty HWY GI (west), the road into Goose Island County Park. The canoe trail may be accessed from any of the four boat ramps within the park.

Neshonoc Lakeside Camp Resort

One of Western Wisconsin’s most popular campground destinations located in West Salem, WI, just 14 miles from La Crosse, Neshonoc Lakeside Campground Resort offers canoe and kayak rentals for paddlers wish to explore and relax on Lake Neshonoc’s beautiful, placid waters.

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Pettibone Resort

Pettibone Park Resort is a 115-site campground located directly across the Mississippi River’s main channel from downtown La Crosse, offering excellent access to the myriad backwaters and smaller channels meandering through the area as canoe and paddleboat rentals to explore them.

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Upper Mississippi Refuge Canoe Trails

Explore a variety of paddling experiences just north of La Crosse. The Long Lake Trail offers five miles of easy paddling through scenic Mississippi backwaters, taking about 3–4 hours to complete. The Lake Onalaska Canoe Trail, the newest marked route on the refuge, winds through the backwaters into expansive Lake Onalaska. For a quieter, unmarked experience, paddle the Brown’s Marsh Canoe Area at Lytle’s Landing, a motor-free zone perfect for peaceful exploration. Note: a Voluntary Waterfowl Avoidance Area is in effect on Lake Onalaska from October 15 to mid-November.

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La Crosse River

The La Crosse River is an often overlooked paddle through the Onalaska area to Riverside Park in La Crosse. With 6 conveniently spaced boat landings situated below Lake Neshonoc. For a leisurely paddle to Riverside Park, put in at Holiday Heights and meander past the bluffs and through the marshland.

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Onalaska Waterfront

The Onalaska Waterfront and Spillway offer an opportunity to go canoeing & kayaking in Mississippi backwaters. Turn west on Irvin Street off of Highway 35, one block south of Onalaska’s Main Street. The City of Onalaska Park and Rec department has a few canoes and kayaks available for rent down at the waterfront. Stop into City Hall at 415 Main Street or call 781-9560.

GOOSE ISLAND CANOE TRAIL MAP

LONG LAKE CANOE TRAIL MAP

LAKE ONALASKA CANOE TRAIL MAP

ALL UPPER MISSISSIPPI REFUGE CANOE TRAILS

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Paddle Away! Paddle Rentals in the La Crosse Region

With the Mighty Mississippi and it’s back waters, Lake Onalaska, Lake Neshonoc, the La Crosse River AND the Black River, we have plenty of opportunities for those who seek to explore via paddling. Wondering where you can get equipped for such an experience? These places will hook you up…

Man on a Paddleboard