Article and photos by Dale Kiffel

Sparta Chamber of Commerce, trail head to the LaCrosse River State Trail |

New bridge over the Little LaCrosse River |
The La Crosse River
State Trail is a 22 mile rails to trails endeavor and follows the abandoned Chicago and
Northwestern railroad bed. The trail traverses a mixture of prairie remnants, farmlands,
trout streams, hardwood forests and wetlands. It passes through the communities of Sparta,
Rockland, Bangor, West Salem, and Medary. The trail connects to the Elroy-Sparta Trail in
Sparta, and the The Great River Trail in Medary. A Wisconsin trail pass (4$/day or $15/yr)
is required.
Here's a link to the LaCrosse River Trail
Map
This article includes first hand descriptions and plenty of photos of
the Lacrosse River Trail going from Sparta,
Wisconsin to just west of Rockland. (September 2006).
Bike Trail
Information
The LaCrosse River Trail in Wisconsin is
21.5 miles one way and connects to the Great River Trail on the west end and the
Elroy-Sparta trail on the east. The 4 connecting west central Wisconsin trails (aka Bike
4 Trails) going from southeast to northwest are:
Daily or annual State trail passes are
required for riders age 16 and older. Currently the pass is $4.00 /day or you can choose
the $15.00 yearly pass (good for all Wisconsin state trails).
Lacrosse River Trail Photos
Here's the photo page for the
Lacrosse River State Trail, Sparta, Wisconsin to just west of Rockland. These pictures
are from September 2006.
LaCrosse
River Trail Photos