The best walks and hikes around La Crescent

Yes, the area offers several gentle trails perfect for a family outing. For a flat, scenic walk along the Mississippi's backwaters, consider the Marsh Trail loop — La Crosse. It's a short, easy loop with great opportunities for birdwatching. Another excellent choice is the walk through Riverside Park, which provides lovely river views without any challenging climbs.

Many trails in the La Crescent area are dog-friendly, but policies can vary, especially in state parks and wildlife refuges. Dogs are generally welcome on leash in places like Hixon Forest and local parks. Always check the specific regulations for the park you plan to visit before you go and be prepared to clean up after your pet.

Hikers have several excellent options. Great River Bluffs State Park offers trails with breathtaking overlooks of the Mississippi River. Across the river in Wisconsin, Perrot State Park features iconic bluff trails. For trails closer to town, Eagles Bluff Park provides steep but rewarding climbs, and the highly-regarded Hixon Forest contains an extensive network of paths through beautiful woodland.

The region is great for loop hikes, allowing you to enjoy a varied journey without retracing your steps. Most trails in the area are designed as loops. For an easy riverside walk, the Riverside Park loop — La Crosse is a pleasant option. Many of the more challenging bluff trails are also loops, offering continuous new scenery.

The bluffs in the Driftless Area provide spectacular viewpoints. For a classic panoramic view over La Crosse and the Mississippi River, the trails at Grandad Bluff Park are a popular favorite. Another well-loved spot is Apple Blossom Overlook Park, which offers stunning vistas along the Apple Blossom Scenic Drive.

Hiking in Great River Bluffs State Park is defined by its trails that lead through forests and prairies to stunning overlooks high above the Mississippi River. The trails range from easy to moderate, with some climbs to reach the viewpoints. It's particularly beautiful in the fall when the foliage is at its peak.

Perrot State Park offers a range of difficulties. You can find relatively flat trails along the river, but the park is best known for its challenging climbs up Brady's Bluff and Perrot Ridge. These routes are steep and strenuous but reward hikers with some of the most impressive views in the region, overlooking the confluence of the Mississippi and Trempealeau Rivers.

The komoot app provides detailed digital maps for all listed routes, which you can use for navigation on your phone. For a general overview of local city trails, the City of La Crescent also provides a downloadable PDF map on their website. You can find it here: La Crescent Bicycle and Hiking Map.

Parking availability varies. State Parks like Great River Bluffs and Perrot have designated parking areas, though a state park vehicle permit is typically required. For smaller trail systems like Eagles Bluff Park, parking may be limited to small lots or street parking in residential areas, so pay close attention to local signage.

Both La Crescent and Winona are situated in Minnesota's beautiful Bluff Country and offer fantastic hiking. La Crescent's trails are intimately tied to the Mississippi River, with many routes in Great River Bluffs State Park and across the river in Wisconsin's Perrot State Park. Winona is famous for Sugar Loaf bluff and has extensive trails at Garvin Heights Park, offering a similar mix of challenging climbs and rewarding views.

The area is highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.8 stars. Hikers frequently praise the stunning bluff-top views over the Mississippi River Valley and the well-maintained trails that wind through peaceful forests and prairies.