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La Crosse River State Trail
4.6 ★★★★★ 469 Google reviews · Running trail in Bangor, Wisconsin · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Crushed gravel
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from La Crosse River State Trail's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Scenic 21-mi. trail for biking, jogging & walks through forest, prairies, wetlands & over bridges.
What runners say about La Crosse River State Trail
“The bike trails truly offer another beautiful view and perspective of areas of Wisconsin we don't normally see just driving our vehicles around.”
We picked up the trail at the Sparta information booth. It is an old rail station and kept up well. There is plenty of information inside and even a gift shop. A trail pass is required and can be purchased here. It is uphill mostly to get to the nearest tunnel, but well worth the ride.
My wife and I really enjoyed biking the portion of the trail we had time for. It would have been nice to better understand the inclines before going, but they were gradual, so not a big deal. Started in Sparta. Gradual incline for 8 miles to tunnel three.
One of the most beautiful places I've spent an afternoon exploring. I went out in search of morel mushrooms using the trail and was very successful. I'm happy I took the time to wlj this trail and would highly recommend it to anyone looking to spend some time in nature.
Day was overcast, had a bit of rain but road the trail anyways. Such a beautiful trail to ride. There are some spots that probably could do with a bit of repair, and there was a bit of a wash out area and a tree across the trail. It just added to the challenge. Still truly enjoyed the day tho.
Trail conditions & character
“The bike trails truly offer another beautiful view and perspective of areas of Wisconsin we don't normally see just driving our vehicles around.”
“There are great views, shade, benches and bridges along the way.”
“It could get boring, it's a straight shot with minimal turns and elevation, so bring your headphones for some of entertainment.”
“The trail is crushed limestone/packed dirt- perfect terrain for walking, running or biking.”
“For the most part the trails are level and groomed to an extent.”
Plan your run at La Crosse River State Trail
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfaceCrushed gravel — the rail-trail classic: softer than asphalt, still smooth enough for tempo work
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- Websitelacrosseriverstatetrail.org
- Phone(608) 337-4775
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 6 AM–10 PM |
| Tuesday | 6 AM–10 PM |
| Wednesday | 6 AM–10 PM |
| Thursday | 6 AM–10 PM |
| Friday | 6 AM–10 PM |
| Saturday | 6 AM–10 PM |
| Sunday | 6 AM–10 PM |
Running trails near Bangor
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Savannah Oaks Hiking Trail
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La Crosse State Trailhead
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Glen Fox Park
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