La Crosse Nature Guide
A one-stop resource of outdoor places for nature connections in La Crosse County
Goose Island
Hiking/Walking
Biking
Cross Country Skiing
Snow-shoeing
Goose Island is a County Campground and Park, as well as home to an Upper Mississippi Fish and Wildlife Refuge area. Within the park there are two main trails and other park amenities. Trailhead access is shared below.
​
To enlarge the map of access points, click on the image.
Location / Access
Access Point #1: Shady Maple Trail
Address:
Cty Hwy GI
La Crosse, WI 54601
(Lat-Longitude: 43.726729, -91.214433)
​
Directions:
Heading south from La Crosse on Hwy 35 towards Stoddard, turn right onto Cty Hwy GI. Parking and trailhead are approx. one mile on your left at the large Flag Pole and 'Entrance - Goose Island County Park' sign
Map View of Location
(pin location approx.)
Parking:
There is a gravel parking area at the trailhead.
Street View of Parking Location
Accessible By Public Transport?
No
Access Point #2: Wigwam Trail
Address:
Cty Hwy GI
La Crosse, WI 54601
(Lat-Longitude: 43.725471, -91.231545)
​
Directions:
Heading south from La Crosse on Hwy 35 towards Stoddard, turn right onto Cty Hwy GI. Continue on GI to the 4-way stop sign and turn left. Continue to the gravel parking area on your right, just beyond the campground bathrooms and before the gate to the Wildlife Refuge.
Map View of Location
Parking:
There is a gravel parking lot at the start of the trail.
Street View of Parking Area
Accessible By Public Transport?
No
Access Point #3: Hunter's Point / Wigwam Trail
Address:
Cty Hwy GI
La Crosse, WI 54601
(Lat-Longitude: 43.716112, -91.232005)
​
Directions:
Heading south from La Crosse on Hwy 35 towards Stoddard, turn right onto Cty Hwy GI. Continue on GI to the 4-way stop sign and turn left. Continue to the end of the road at the boat launch/parking area. The trail can be picked up along the north shoreline from the boat ramps.
​
Map View of Location
Parking:
Parking Lot at the Ecocenter. Additional, unpaved lot to the right of trailhead.
Overview of Trail Access
Accessible By Public Transport?
No
Site Information
Trail Map - Shady Maple (click for map)
courtesy of Upper Mississippi Fish and Wildlife Services
There is no formal map for the Wigwam Trail, though a dashed line exists on Google Maps, which overviews the path.
​
Terrain:
Uneven
Unpaved
Flat
​
Difficulty:
Easy
​
Pets Allowed on Leash
Additional Notes:
-
There are numerous water access points throughout the park - please refer to map.
Dominant Features
​
​
​
​
​
Biodiversity Rating: 5/5
Trees
Tall
Grass
Water
Features
Mowed
Grass
Property Management and Link to More Information:
Goose Island Park and Campground are run by La Crosse County. More information available here. The Wigwam and Shady Maple Trails are maintained by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services. More information here.
