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Most people drive through La Crosse on the way somewhere else. That's their loss.
Within an hour of downtown, you've got river towns, ancient bluffs, cold-water trout streams, apple orchards, bike trails through railroad tunnels, and enough small-town charm to fill a whole summer. These aren't the places Travel Wisconsin puts on a pamphlet. These are the day trips locals actually take — the ones that remind you why you chose to live in one of the most geologically unique corners of the country.
Here are 10 of the best day trips from La Crosse, Wisconsin, starting right in your backyard.
If you haven't spent a full day in Viroqua, you haven't really seen the Driftless. This town punches so far above its weight — around 4,000 people — that outsiders are often genuinely surprised by what they find.
Start at Driftless Café, where the menu rotates with the seasons and the burger alone justifies the drive. For coffee, grab a seat at Rooted Spoon or pick up a bag of beans from Just Coffee Co-op. If it's evening, the Tangled Hickory Wine Bar makes an excellent Wisconsin Old Fashioned — sour, of course.
Browse the downtown co-ops, stop in at the Driftless Angler fly shop if you fish (or want to start), and take a slow lap of the farmers market on Saturdays. Viroqua is the kind of place where one errand turns into three hours without you noticing.
Drive: ~45 minutes southeast on US-14
Trempealeau might be the most underrated town on the Mississippi. The main street is quiet, the river is right there, and the bluff views are stunning without a crowd in sight.
The refuge sits on an ancient island in the Mississippi River backwaters. Walk the dike trails at sunrise and you'll see more birds in an hour than most people see in a year — herons, eagles, pelicans, and all the waterfowl you can name.
Head uphill to Elmaro Vineyard, perched above the river with views that rival anything in Midwest wine country. Their cold-climate reds are genuinely excellent, and the patio on a warm afternoon is hard to leave.
Drive: ~25 minutes north on WI-35
Tucked between La Farge and Ontario, the Kickapoo Valley Reserve is the soul of the Driftless. This 8,600-acre public reserve follows the Kickapoo River through a valley so narrow and wooded it feels like a different world.
The Kickapoo is Wisconsin's most crooked river — 125 river miles covering about 60 as the crow flies. That crookedness makes it perfect for paddling: slow, intimate, and full of wildlife. Outfitters in Ontario rent canoes and kayaks for a half-day or full-day float.
The Wintergreen Bluff Trail (1.5 miles) gives you a solid ridgeline view without requiring serious elevation work. For more challenge, the longer ridge trails in the south end of the reserve reward you with sweeping coulee views.
Drive: ~1 hour southeast on WI-33
Westby is Wisconsin Norwegian culture preserved in a valley. Don't miss the Westby Creamery, one of the last true cooperative creameries in the region, where the cheese curds are fresh and the ice cream is the real reason people stop.
If you can time it right, Syttende Mai (Norwegian Constitution Day) in mid-May is one of the most genuinely fun small-town festivals in the state. There's a parade, a carnival, live music, and enough lefse to last a lifetime. It's the kind of thing you take out-of-town guests to and watch their faces light up.
Drive: ~40 minutes south on WI-27
The Elroy-Sparta State Trail is one of the oldest and most celebrated rail trails in the country — 32.5 miles of crushed limestone connecting the towns of Elroy and Sparta through three iconic railroad tunnels.
The tunnels are the signature experience. The longest stretches nearly a mile, and you'll want a headlamp — it's completely dark, unlit, and cold even in August. Kids love it. Adults love it too. Bring a light.
Bike rental shops operate in both Sparta and Kendall. Most people do an out-and-back from Sparta or arrange a shuttle for a one-way ride.
Drive: ~45 minutes east on I-90 to Sparta
You live next to Grandad Bluff. Have you actually been up there recently?
At 600 feet above the valley floor, the overlook gives you a 180-degree view of La Crosse, the Mississippi River, and three states on a clear day. It's one of the most dramatic viewpoints in the Midwest, and it's 10 minutes from downtown.
The Blufflands are world-class mountain biking too, if that's your thing.
Drive: 10 minutes from downtown La Crosse
Pull up WI-35 south out of La Crosse and just drive. The Great River Road is one of the most scenic routes in the Midwest — limestone bluffs on your right, Mississippi backwaters on your left, river towns dotting the route every 15 miles.
At the confluence of the Wisconsin and Mississippi Rivers, Wyalusing State Park offers some of the most dramatic overlook views in the state. The effigy mounds along the bluff trail are thousands of years old. The campground sites above the river are among the best in Wisconsin.
Prairie du Chien itself has a fascinating history as a fur trade hub, and the Fort Crawford Museum is worth a stop if you enjoy regional history.
Drive: ~1.5 hours south on WI-35
The Gays Mills area in Crawford County is Wisconsin's apple capital, and fall is the time to go. Multiple orchards — including Sunrise Orchard and Scotch Hill Farm — open their doors for pick-your-own apples, cider, and farm market stops from late August through October.
Sunrise Orchard is the most well-known and has a solid farm store. For a more off-the-beaten-path experience, the smaller operations along County Road C are worth exploring. Call ahead in season — things sell out fast on weekends.
Drive: ~1 hour south on WI-171/WI-131
This belongs on every Driftless bucket list — and the Driftless has over 13,000 miles of designated trout streams, most within easy reach of La Crosse.
Timber Coulee (near Coon Valley) and Dutch Creek (near Bangor) are both well-marked, publicly accessible, and consistently productive. You don't need a guide or a boat — just waders, a license, and a willingness to get lost in a coulee for a few hours.
If you're serious about getting started, The Driftless Angler in Viroqua is the definitive local resource. The staff can point you to water, match the hatch, and set you up with a guide if you want one.
Drive: 30–45 minutes depending on stream
Coon Valley is the kind of small town that people from away describe as "quintessential Driftless." A single main street, a gas station with good bait, farmland climbing the ridges in every direction, and Timber Coulee Creek running cold through the middle of it.
Timber Coulee is a Class I trout stream, which means it supports natural reproduction of both brook and brown trout. Walk the streambank in the morning and you'll see rises. The land around it has public fishing easements posted by the DNR — park at a pull-off and you're on.
There's nothing flashy about Coon Valley. That's exactly the point. It's a reminder of what the whole Driftless used to feel like before anyone discovered it — quiet, working, honest country.
Drive: ~30 minutes southeast on WI-162
La Crosse sits right in the heart of the Driftless. Most of the best destinations are between 20 minutes and 1.5 hours away, making the city one of the best base camps in the region.
Trempealeau, Coon Valley, and the Kickapoo Valley Reserve tend to get overlooked in favor of more well-known stops. All three reward the detour. The ridge roads north of Westby are also worth exploring without a specific destination in mind.
Every season has its moment. Spring (April–May) is excellent for trout fishing and wildflowers. Summer brings paddling, bike trails, and festivals. Fall is the Driftless at its most beautiful — the bluffs turn gold and red in October, and the apple orchards are running. Winter is quiet and underrated for those who don't mind the cold.
Yes — if you're stopping at any Wisconsin State Park (like Wildcat Mountain, Wyalusing, or Perrot), you'll need a vehicle sticker ($28/year for residents) or a day pass. The annual sticker pays for itself quickly if you're making regular trips. The State Trail Pass ($25/year) covers all the rail trails for cyclists 16 and up.
The Driftless doesn't ask much of you. Pick a direction, drive until a side road looks interesting, and follow it. That's how most of the best days here start — without a plan, without a crowd, and without a bad outcome.
If you found this useful, the Driftless Plug newsletter covers local events, outdoor conditions, and what's worth doing in the region every week. Because the best tip for your next day trip is usually just knowing what season it is.
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