HomeWisconsinLa Crosse › Lower Hixon Trailhead

Lower Hixon Trailhead

4.8 ★★★★★ 130 Google reviews · Running trail in La Crosse, Wisconsin · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Lower Hixon Trailhead'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

Trail network amid wooded terrain and bluffs that’s popular for hiking, mountain-biking and trail-running.

What runners say about Lower Hixon Trailhead

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (130 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 4 mentions

“Very beautiful set of trails tucked in the Hixon forest.”

🪧 well-marked 3 mentions

“Peaceful, well groomed, good signage, several rest areas on the road, but not on the trail.”

One of the best tail systems I’ve been on. Lower Hixon is my favorite hiking starting point in the LaCrosse area. Lots of options in distance as well as difficulty. Some trails are shared use; the mountain bikers are good about announcing their presence, many use timber bells to alert they are nearby.

★★★★★ — Jess , Aug 2025

I’m so incredibly stoked that LaCrosse has such an amazing trail network for everyone to enjoy. These trails are a great system built and maintained by an amazing nonprofit in partnership with the city, for everyone to enjoy free of charge.

★★★★★ — Brady , Apr 2023

It’s always a great time when I visit the trails. Peaceful, well groomed, good signage, several rest areas on the road, but not on the trail. It would be nice to see a little bench or designated stump to sit on, along the trails.

★★★★★ — Carol , May 2026

I love Hixon! Tons of trails, several viewpoints, lots of options. You can do flat loops, steep paths, or a mix. Very pretty forest. Lots of mushrooms, trees, flowers, birds, and squirrels.

★★★★★ — Alia , Jun 2020

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 130 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 7 mentions

“There are nice views of the bluffs and hikes up the bluffs.”

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Plan your run at Lower Hixon Trailhead

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • 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.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.

Hours

Monday 6:30 am–10 pm
Tuesday 6:30 am–10 pm
Wednesday 6:30 am–10 pm
Thursday 6:30 am–10 pm
Friday 6:30 am–10 pm
Saturday 6:30 am–10 pm
Sunday 6:30 am–10 pm

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Lower Hixon Trailhead

2600 Old Quarry Rd, La Crosse, WI 54601

Get directions

Running trails near La Crosse

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Hixon Forest

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under a mile away

Rim of the City

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Grandad Bluff Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 2,006 reviews

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Large bluff offering hiking trails & a scenic overlook of the town of La Crosse.

under a mile away

Tramway trail trailhead

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under a mile away

Gateway Trails

4.8 ★★★★★ 25 reviews

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PavedScenic

under a mile away

Myrick Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 1,066 reviews

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PavedScenic

Enduring park with paved paths, a large wooden play structure, picnic areas & a nature center.

under a mile away

All running trails in La Crosse, WI →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.