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[[File:Great River State Trail Oct 2016.jpg|thumb|right|The Great River State Trail at the entrance to the [[Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge]]]] |
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| ⚫ | '''The Great River State Trail''' is a {{convert|24|mi|adj=on|sp=us}} [[rail trail]] between [[Onalaska, Wisconsin|Onalaska]] and [[Marshland, Wisconsin|Marshland]], [[Wisconsin]]. It is designed for foot, bicycle, equestrian or light motorized traffic. It is designated as a multiuse trail, offering recreational access to the routes, and is open to the public.<ref>[http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/name/greatriver/ "Great River State Trail"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141228063314/http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/name/greatriver/ |date=2014-12-28 }}, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, [[Madison, Wisconsin|Madison]], 17 Oct. 2014.</ref> |
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[[File:Western Wisconsin Bike Trail Map.png|thumb|300px|Map of the Great River Trail and connecting trails]] |
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It is one of four connecting bike trails in west-central Wisconsin that spans approximately one-third of the state. The trail gets its name for running along the [[Mississippi River]], hence |
It is one of four connecting bike trails in west-central Wisconsin that spans approximately one-third of the state. The trail gets its name for running along the [[Mississippi River]], hence "Great River" State Trail. It is part of the larger [[Wisconsin Mountain Bike Trails|Wisconsin bike trail system]], operated by the state of [[Wisconsin]].<ref>[http://www.rivervalleynewspapers.com/biketrails/grtriv.php "Great River State Trail" River Valley Bike Trails] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090531001840/http://www.rivervalleynewspapers.com/biketrails/grtriv.php |date=2009-05-31 }}, "The [[La Crosse Tribune]]".</ref> |
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The Great River State Trail connects to the [[La Crosse River Trail]] in [[Onalaska, Wisconsin|Onalaska]]. |
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The four connecting west central Wisconsin trails, known as the [[Bike 4 Trails]], going from southeast to northwest are: |
The four connecting west central Wisconsin trails, known as the [[Bike 4 Trails]], going from southeast to northwest are: |
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*the [[400 State Trail]] ({{convert|22|mi|disp=or|abbr=on}}) |
*the [[400 State Trail]] ({{convert|22|mi|disp=or|abbr=on}}) |
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*the [[Elroy-Sparta State Trail]] ({{convert|32|mi|disp=or|abbr=on}}) |
*the [[Elroy-Sparta State Trail]] ({{convert|32|mi|disp=or|abbr=on}}) |
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*the [[La Crosse River |
*the [[La Crosse River Trail]] ({{convert|22|mi|disp=or|abbr=on}}) |
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*the Great River State Trail ({{convert|24|mi|disp=or|abbr=on}}) |
*the Great River State Trail ({{convert|24|mi|disp=or|abbr=on}}) |
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The north end of the trail is on Refuge Rd. at the intersection of West Prairie Rd., southeast of [[Marshland, Wisconsin|Marshland]] ({{coord|44|03|10|N|91|30|56|W|region:US-WI|display=inline}}). The south end is at the intersection with the La Crosse River Trail at a parking lot off of County Highway B east of {{Jct|state=WI|WI|16}} in [[Medary (community), Wisconsin|Medary]] at the former Winona Junction.({{coord|43|51|35|N|91|12|06|W|region:US-WI|display=inline}}). |
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The trail headquarters is located in [[Onalaska, Wisconsin|Onalaska]] and is open from May 1 through October 31. |
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There is a $4.00 per day fee for use of the trail if one does not have the $20.00 yearly Wisconsin bike trail pass. Bike lights are advisable even on the brightest summer days when going into the long unlit tunnels. Camping, lodging, food, parking, bike rentals and information are available at many points along the trail.<ref>[http://www.discoveronalaska.com/play/biking-2/trail-passes/ "Trail Passes" Discover Onalaska], Onalaska Tourism Commission, [[Onalaska, Wisconsin|Onalaska]], 2014.</ref> |
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The trail is |
The trail headquarters is located in Onalaska and is open from May 1 through October 31. There is a $5.00 per day fee for use of the trail if one does not have the $25.00 yearly Wisconsin bike trail pass. Camping, lodging, food, parking, bike rentals and information are available at many points along the trail.<ref>[http://www.discoveronalaska.com/play/biking-2/trail-passes/ "Trail Passes" Discover Onalaska] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150302022053/http://www.discoveronalaska.com/play/biking-2/trail-passes/ |date=2015-03-02 }}, Onalaska Tourism Commission, Onalaska, 2014.</ref> |
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The trail is constructed upon the abandoned [[Chicago and North Western Railway]] railroad bed. The La Crosse, Trempealeau & Prescott Railroad chartered to build from a point across the river from Winona to connect with the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul railroad at [[Medary (community), Wisconsin|Winona Junction]] in Wisconsin near La Crosse.<ref name="Pierce1917-2">{{cite book|author=Eben Douglas Pierce|title=History of Trempealeau County, Wisconsin|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rNo4AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA262|year=1917|publisher=Unigraphic|pages=262–}}</ref> This was completed in 1870 with tracks in Marshland. It features 18 bridges that cross over streams feeding into the Mississippi River. It provides visitors with easy access to the [[Nicholls Hopewell Mound]], the [[Perrot State Park]], and the [[Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge]].<ref>[http://www.travelwisconsin.com/linear-bike-trails/great-river-state-trail-204358 "Great River State Trail" Travel Wisconsin] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150112072018/http://www.travelwisconsin.com/linear-bike-trails/great-river-state-trail-204358 |date=2015-01-12 }}, Wisconsin Department of Tourism, 2014.</ref> The Great River State Trail passes through the [[Mississippi Flyway]] and is frequented by bird watchers.<ref>[http://www.discoveronalaska.com/play/biking-2/ "Biking" Discover Onalaska] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141220205528/http://www.discoveronalaska.com/play/biking-2/ |date=2014-12-20 }}, Onalaska Tourism Commission, Onalaska, 2014.</ref> Many wildlife species can be observed from the trail as it passes through beautiful natural regions, such as [[bottomland hardwood forest]]s and Wisconsin's [[Driftless area]]s.<ref>[http://www.americasstateparks.org/Wisconsin/park/Great-River-State-Trail/473 "America's State Parks - Great River State Trail"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150111154504/http://www.americasstateparks.org/Wisconsin/park/Great-River-State-Trail/473 |date=2015-01-11 }}, [[National Association of State Park Directors]], 2013.</ref> Some examples of the trademark Wisconsin species observed by visitors include [[great blue heron]]s, [[egret]]s, and [[white-tailed deer]].<ref>[http://www.trempealeau.net/business-directory/resource/2969/139 "Resource: Great River Road State Bicycle Trail | Trempealeau Chamber of Commerce Business Directory"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151012214208/http://www.trempealeau.net/business-directory/resource/2969/139 |date=2015-10-12 }}, Trempealeau Chamber of Commerce, [[Trempealeau, Wisconsin|Trempeauleau]], 2014.</ref> |
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| ⚫ | The Great River State Trail is |
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== See also == |
== See also == |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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*[https://mapsengine.google.com/map/edit?mid=zmhNpOKn4ye8.kiufwPllkWPk Great River State Trail Interactive Map] |
*[https://mapsengine.google.com/map/edit?mid=zmhNpOKn4ye8.kiufwPllkWPk Great River State Trail Interactive Map] |
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*[http://www.bike4trails.com/Bike4Trailsmap.pdf Bike4Trails Complete Map] includes The [[La Crosse River |
*[http://www.bike4trails.com/Bike4Trailsmap.pdf Bike4Trails Complete Map] includes The [[La Crosse River Trail]], The [[Elroy-Sparta State Trail]], and the [[400 State Trail]]. |
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{{ |
{{Wisconsin hiking trails}} |
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[[Category:Rail trails in Wisconsin]] |
[[Category:Rail trails in Wisconsin]] |
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[[Category:Chicago and North Western Railway]] |
[[Category:Chicago and North Western Railway]] |
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[[Category:Protected areas of |
[[Category:Protected areas of La Crosse County, Wisconsin]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Protected areas of Trempealeau County, Wisconsin]] |
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[[Category:National Recreation Trails in Wisconsin]] |
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Latest revision as of 18:36, 14 June 2023
The Great River State Trail is a 24-mile (39 km) rail trail between Onalaska and Marshland, Wisconsin. It is designed for foot, bicycle, equestrian or light motorized traffic. It is designated as a multiuse trail, offering recreational access to the routes, and is open to the public.[1]
It is one of four connecting bike trails in west-central Wisconsin that spans approximately one-third of the state. The trail gets its name for running along the Mississippi River, hence "Great River" State Trail. It is part of the larger Wisconsin bike trail system, operated by the state of Wisconsin.[2]
The four connecting west central Wisconsin trails, known as the Bike 4 Trails, going from southeast to northwest are:
- the 400 State Trail (22 mi or 35 km)
- the Elroy-Sparta State Trail (32 mi or 51 km)
- the La Crosse River Trail (22 mi or 35 km)
- the Great River State Trail (24 mi or 39 km)
The north end of the trail is on Refuge Rd. at the intersection of West Prairie Rd., southeast of Marshland (44°03′10″N 91°30′56″W / 44.05278°N 91.51556°W). The south end is at the intersection with the La Crosse River Trail at a parking lot off of County Highway B east of 
WIS 16 in Medary at the former Winona Junction.(43°51′35″N 91°12′06″W / 43.85972°N 91.20167°W).
The trail headquarters is located in Onalaska and is open from May 1 through October 31. There is a $5.00 per day fee for use of the trail if one does not have the $25.00 yearly Wisconsin bike trail pass. Camping, lodging, food, parking, bike rentals and information are available at many points along the trail.[3]
The trail is constructed upon the abandoned Chicago and North Western Railway railroad bed. The La Crosse, Trempealeau & Prescott Railroad chartered to build from a point across the river from Winona to connect with the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul railroad at Winona Junction in Wisconsin near La Crosse.[4] This was completed in 1870 with tracks in Marshland. It features 18 bridges that cross over streams feeding into the Mississippi River. It provides visitors with easy access to the Nicholls Hopewell Mound, the Perrot State Park, and the Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge.[5] The Great River State Trail passes through the Mississippi Flyway and is frequented by bird watchers.[6] Many wildlife species can be observed from the trail as it passes through beautiful natural regions, such as bottomland hardwood forests and Wisconsin's Driftless areas.[7] Some examples of the trademark Wisconsin species observed by visitors include great blue herons, egrets, and white-tailed deer.[8]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Great River State Trail" Archived 2014-12-28 at the Wayback Machine, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, 17 Oct. 2014.
- ^ "Great River State Trail" River Valley Bike Trails Archived 2009-05-31 at the Wayback Machine, "The La Crosse Tribune".
- ^ "Trail Passes" Discover Onalaska Archived 2015-03-02 at the Wayback Machine, Onalaska Tourism Commission, Onalaska, 2014.
- ^ Eben Douglas Pierce (1917). History of Trempealeau County, Wisconsin. Unigraphic. pp. 262–.
- ^ "Great River State Trail" Travel Wisconsin Archived 2015-01-12 at the Wayback Machine, Wisconsin Department of Tourism, 2014.
- ^ "Biking" Discover Onalaska Archived 2014-12-20 at the Wayback Machine, Onalaska Tourism Commission, Onalaska, 2014.
- ^ "America's State Parks - Great River State Trail" Archived 2015-01-11 at the Wayback Machine, National Association of State Park Directors, 2013.
- ^ "Resource: Great River Road State Bicycle Trail | Trempealeau Chamber of Commerce Business Directory" Archived 2015-10-12 at the Wayback Machine, Trempealeau Chamber of Commerce, Trempeauleau, 2014.
External links
[edit]- Great River State Trail Interactive Map
- Bike4Trails Complete Map includes The La Crosse River Trail, The Elroy-Sparta State Trail, and the 400 State Trail.
