State Parks Near La Crosse, Wisconsin
13 state park units lie within 50 miles of La Crosse, including 5 parks across the line in Minnesota and Iowa. The closest is Great River Bluffs State Park, about 13 mi northwest of town. 5 parks are within 25 miles, close enough for an evening visit.
- Closest park
- Great River Bluffs State Park13 mi northwest
- Within 25 miles
- 5of 13 within 50 mi
- With camping
- 122 with cabins
- Dog-friendly
- 2pets allowed
State parks near La Crosse, nearest first
Straight-line distance from central La Crosse; driving distance is usually longer.
Great River Bluffs State Park
Popular activities here are wildlife watching, hiking, and picnicking. Overnight options include 31 campsites across 3 camping areas, with RV sites, tent sites, and showers.
Hours, fees and rules for Great River Bluffs State Park →La Crosse River State Trail
Things to do include biking. Camping is available: campsites, including tent sites.
Hours, fees and rules for La Crosse River State Trail →Great River State Trail
Things to do include canoeing and kayaking, hunting in season, biking, and hiking. For overnight stays there are campsites (tent sites).
Hours, fees and rules for Great River State Trail →Perrot State Park
Things to do include canoeing and kayaking, hunting in season, boating, biking, and fishing. For overnight stays there are 102 campsites across 2 camping areas (tent sites and group camping).
Hours, fees and rules for Perrot State Park →Beaver Creek Valley State Park
Visitors come for fishing, wildlife watching, hiking, and picnicking. Camping is available: 58 campsites across 3 camping areas, including RV sites with electric hookups, tent sites, and showers.
Hours, fees and rules for Beaver Creek Valley State Park →Elroy-Sparta State Trail
Visitors come for hunting in season and biking. Camping is available: campsites, including tent sites.
Hours, fees and rules for Elroy-Sparta State Trail →Wildcat Mountain State Park
Things to do include horseback riding, canoeing and kayaking, hunting in season, fishing, and hiking. Camping is available: 44 campsites across 4 camping areas, including tent sites, group camping, and equestrian camping.
Hours, fees and rules for Wildcat Mountain State Park →Merrick State Park
Visitors come for canoeing and kayaking, hunting in season, boating, fishing, and hiking. The official site lists about 3 miles of trails. Overnight options include 60 campsites across 3 camping areas, with tent sites.
Hours, fees and rules for Merrick State Park →John A. Latsch State Park
Things to do include wildlife watching, hiking, and picnicking. Overnight options include campsites, with tent sites.
Hours, fees and rules for John A. Latsch State Park →Whitewater State Park
The park supports golf, historic sites, swimming, fishing, and ranger programs. The official site lists about 10 miles of trails. On the water side, there is a swimming beach and a fishing pier.
Hours, fees and rules for Whitewater State Park →Yellow River State Forest
Its trail network totals roughly 8 miles, according to the park.
Hours, fees and rules for Yellow River State Forest →Mill Bluff State Park
Popular activities here are hunting in season, swimming, biking, hiking, and picnicking. Camping is available: 21 campsites, including tent sites. The park says there are no showers.
Hours, fees and rules for Mill Bluff State Park →Hillsboro State Trail
Covering about 54 acres, Hillsboro State Trail lies in Juneau County, in Hillsboro.
Hours, fees and rules for Hillsboro State Trail →
Best picks by activity
Camping near La Crosse
- Great River Bluffs State Park 13 mi northwest · 31 campsites
- La Crosse River State Trail 13 mi northeast · Campground listed
- Great River State Trail 13 mi northwest · Campground listed
- Perrot State Park 18 mi northwest · 102 campsites
- Beaver Creek Valley State Park 21 mi southwest · 58 campsites
+ 7 more in the list above
Cabins and lodging near La Crosse
- Beaver Creek Valley State Park 21 mi southwest · Cabins or other roofed stays
- Whitewater State Park 44 mi west · Cabins or other roofed stays
Dog-friendly state parks near La Crosse
- Wildcat Mountain State Park 34 mi east · Pets allowed under park rules
- Mill Bluff State Park 46 mi east · Pets allowed under park rules
Swimming near La Crosse
- Whitewater State Park 44 mi west · Beach, pool or swim area
- Mill Bluff State Park 46 mi east · Beach, pool or swim area
Hiking near La Crosse
- Great River Bluffs State Park 13 mi northwest · Hiking trails listed
- Great River State Trail 13 mi northwest · Hiking trails listed
- Perrot State Park 18 mi northwest · Hiking trails listed
- Beaver Creek Valley State Park 21 mi southwest · Hiking trails listed
- Wildcat Mountain State Park 34 mi east · Hiking trails listed
+ 4 more in the list above
Fishing near La Crosse
- Perrot State Park 18 mi northwest · Fishing listed
- Beaver Creek Valley State Park 21 mi southwest · Fishing listed
- Wildcat Mountain State Park 34 mi east · Fishing listed
- Merrick State Park 35 mi northwest · Fishing listed
- Whitewater State Park 44 mi west · Fishing listed
Questions about state parks near La Crosse
What is the closest state park to La Crosse?
Great River Bluffs State Park is the closest, about 13 miles northwest of La Crosse in a straight line. Next are La Crosse River State Trail and Great River State Trail.
How many state parks are near La Crosse?
13 state park units are within 50 miles, and 5 within 25 miles. That includes parks, recreation areas, historic sites and natural areas run by the state.
Which state parks near La Crosse have camping?
12 parks list camping, the nearest being Great River Bluffs State Park, La Crosse River State Trail and Great River State Trail. Check each park page for site types, hookups and how to reserve.
Are dogs allowed at state parks near La Crosse?
Yes, at 2 parks, including Wildcat Mountain State Park and Mill Bluff State Park. Dogs usually must be leashed, and some areas such as beaches or buildings may be off-limits.
Are there free state parks near La Crosse?
None of the nearby parks list free entry; most charge a daily vehicle fee or accept an annual pass. Fees are on each park page.
State parks near other cities
- Near Rochester, MN64 mi west
- Near Reedsburg, WI65 mi east
- Near Eau Claire, WI70 mi north
- Near Marshfield, WI78 mi northeast
- Near Baraboo, WI78 mi east
- Near Wisconsin Rapids, WI80 mi northeast
- Near Red Wing, MN86 mi northwest
- Near Austin, MN88 mi west
Or see all Wisconsin state parks, Minnesota state parks, Iowa state parks or every city we cover.
Built from official park data and updated as parks change; this list was last rebuilt Oct 30, 2026. Features shown are those the official source lists. Filter these parks on the map.