Myrick Hixon Eco Park :: La Crosse, WI :: Trails

Hixon Forest & La Crosse River Marsh Trails Guide

Myrick Park

This 13-acre park has two shelters, a wading pool, a zoo, and Kids Coulee (an accessible playground). It's the unofficial entrance to the La Crosse River Marsh RABBIT Trails.

Red Cloud Park

This 8-acre park atop a small bluff has a shelter, playground equipment, a native prairie, tennis courts, and a basketball court. It is accessible from the Marsh Trails.

Riverside Park

This 13-acre park sits on the banks of the Mississippi River in historic downtown La Crosse. It has an internation garden, band shell, large floral displays, rest rooms, and sculptures. Excursion boats depart from the park, and the La Crosse Convention and Visitors Bureau is headquartered here. The River to Bluff Trail starts at the north end of the park.

Hixon Forest

In 1912, the Hixon Family saved Grandad Bluff from being quarried and donated it to the city for park land. Hixon Forest has grown to an 800-acre nature preserve within the city limits of La Crosse with more than 13 miles of hiking and ski trails that meander through diverse havitats, including forest, prairies, and bluff lands. Connecting trails through the 100-acre La Crosse River Marsh add more wildlife viewing possibilities. The River to Bluff Trail allows hikers to travel from the Mississippi River to the top of the bluffs without ever crossing a city street.

Click Here To View the Trail Map! Interested in only the Bike Trails? Click Here!

The map shows Marsh Trails, Forest Trails & Human Powered Trails!

Here are some suggested hikes according to skill level and length!

Rules of the Trails

We hope you enjoy your visits. Please read and respect the following rules, which are intended to protect the trails for all of us.

Stay on the trail. Cutting switchbacks tramples vegetation and causes erosion.
Bicycles are allowed only on the trails indicated on the map (rust colored trails). Horses, motorcycles, and other vehicles (except wheelchairs) are not allowed on any of the trails.
Do not cut or carve trees, pick flowers, collect seeds, or harass wildlife. You may take berries, nuts, and mushrooms for personal use at your own risk.
Hunting, trapping and firearms are illegal in Hixon Forest and other city parks.
No camping or fires.
Dogs are allowed, but they MUST be on a leash, and owners MUST clean up after them.

Explore our area on Snowshoes Rented at MHEP

Here comes the snow again! Myrick Hixon EcoPark has both modern and traditional snowshoes available for rent (very cheap!) to help you get out there and enjoy this winter wonderland. It’s first-come first-served so call the MHEP at 784-0303 and reserve a pair as soon as possible! It’s great exercise and a fun way to bear those winter blues!

Rates:

Rental fee is:

$5.00 per pair, rented and returned by closing time of the same day

$7.00 per pair, overnight rentals returned by OPENING time the following day

$15 per pair, for the weekend (picked up on Friday and returned by Monday)

Rent shall be paid when the snowshoes are picked up. Cash, Local Check , Visa or Mastercard are accepted.

Want to Snowshoe for FREE? Become a Member or a Volunteer at MHEP! Members & Volunteers snowshoe for free, but you still have to put the $10/pair deposit down!

Skiing in Hixon Forest

The highlighted trails are groomed by the City of La Crosse Park Department after each snowfall. They are groomed for skate-skiing and classic skiing. The groomed trails from start to finish are 6K 87 meters.

Click here to print a map of the groomed trails. This map isn't perfect it's just our old map with the trails highlighted.

Check out this website for up to date grooming reports! SkinnySki.com Adelsman's Cross Country Ski Page

Other Cross-Country Ski Trails in the La Crosse area:

Goose Island Park - 5 miles

County Forest Preserve - 6 miles

Great River Trail - 8 miles

Experimental Farm - 3 miles