Onalaska: Nature Trails and the Great River State Trail

When choosing a destination, the activities you want to pursue there often matter. In Onalaska, you can focus your interests in nature and trails on specific places and trail features: At the La Crosse District Visitor Center, paved trails lead to the Lake Onalaska Overlook; the Great River State Trail starts in Onalaska and follows Lake Onalaska; and the Upper Halfway Creek Marsh Area Dike Walk runs between restored wetlands and wet meadows. The places and trails offer different highlights: an overlook, a cycling route, and a wetland landscape.

Paved trails to the overlook

At the La Crosse District Visitor Center, a paved loop trail and a paved path lead to the Lake Onalaska Overlook. Both trails are paved and share the same destination; they differ in form: a loop or a path to the overlook. If the overlook is the deciding factor for your outing, you can compare the two options based on their form. If you prefer a loop, you can weigh that trail format against the path to the same destination. The choice here is not between two named destinations, but rather which type of route you want to plan for.

Cycling on the Great River State Trail

For cyclists, the Great River State Trail is a distinct highlight. It starts in Onalaska and follows Lake Onalaska. It also crosses the Black River on a 287-foot former railroad bridge. The lakeside setting and river crossing provide two concrete points of reference along the route; its railroad history also makes the bridge recognizable as a historic structure. If you want cycling to be part of your trip, the starting point in Onalaska gives you a clear anchor. The lake and river references describe what characterizes the route along the way and distinguish this focus on a cycling route from the trails to the overlook.

Wetlands and meadows

The Upper Halfway Creek Marsh Area Dike Walk offers another perspective on the area. The trail runs between restored wetlands and wet meadows. The landscape itself can therefore help you choose this outing: the trail lies between two named landscape features. If you want to focus on wetlands and meadows rather than just an overlook or cycling route, this trail offers a distinct connection to the area. You can distinguish the different nature and trail interests in Onalaska by their specific landscape features.

Programs at the visitor center

A Junior Refuge Manager program is also available on site at the La Crosse District Visitor Center. Along with the trails and cycling route, you can include a program at the visitor center in your trip planning. Its availability may change, so check before your visit whether it will be offered on your travel dates. This is especially helpful if you want to make the program a set part of your plans.

Choose Onalaska as your destination

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