Photo: Wisconsin DNR
This 24-mile trail travels through prairies and backwaters of the upper Mississippi River valley. Built on an abandoned Chicago-Northwestern railroad line, the trail has a limestone surface suitable for walking and bicycling for much of the year and snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in winter. The Great River trail is located within a larger area called the Mississippi Flyway and passes through two National Wildlife Refuges. The Great River State Trail links to the La Crosse River State Trail via a short road route in the city of La Crosse.
Quick answers
When is the best time to visit Great River State Trail?
It depends on what you came for. Fall color is best in October; boating & paddling in June–September; biking in May–June and September–October; and snowmobiling in January–February.
What can you do at Great River State Trail in each season?
Winter (December–February): hiking, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and nature centers. Spring (March–May): hiking, biking, hunting and nature centers. Summer (June–August): hiking, boating & paddling, biking and nature centers. Fall (September–November): hiking, fall color, boating & paddling, biking, hunting and nature centers.
Do you need a state park sticker at Great River State Trail?
Not for the trail itself: walking and hiking Great River State Trail are free. Riders 16 and older need a state trail pass for biking: $5 a day or $25 a year. If you park in a lot inside a state park, forest or recreation area, that lot still needs a vehicle sticker.
What state parks and trails are near Great River State Trail?
The closest state properties, as the crow flies: Perrot State Park (7 mi), Coulee State Forest (17 mi) and La Crosse River State Trail (18 mi).
Good for
- Biking
- Boating & paddling
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Nature centers
- Snowmobiling
- Snowshoeing
- Cross-country skiing
Best months
January · February · May · June · July · August · September · October · November
Visiting
- Admission: A state trail pass is required for bicycling.
- Hours: The trail is open year-round.
- Phone: 608-534-6409
Nearby
- Perrot State Park (7 mi)
- Coulee State Forest (17 mi)
- La Crosse River State Trail (18 mi)
- Merrick State Park (24 mi)
- Black River State Forest (34 mi)
Closures and alerts for Great River State Trail: updates · RSS · JSON Feed
Text and park details on this page come from the property's DNR pages, checked every Monday; last change October 24, 2026. Closures and notices load live. Check current conditions before you go.