Canoeing the La Crosse River,
Wisconsin
Sparta is an excellent starting point
for the many miles of pleasant paddling
on the La Crosse River all the way
to the Mississippi River. Originated
in the Fort McCoy Military Reservation,
the La Crosse is dammed at Angelo,
then again at Sparta and West Salem.
Its clear water flows over a mostly
sandy bottom, and passes over a variety
of settings.
Upstream and downstream from the
Neshonoc Lake dam at West Salem, the
river lends itself to two very different
day trips. Alternate accesses allow
paddlers to vary the length and character
of both trips. Virtually the entire
route of the two trips is paralleled
by the La Crosse River State Trail,
which is linked with several other
recreational trails.
