Bangor: Forest, Trails and History

Forest trails, a landscape shaped by ridges and valleys, and several opportunities for cycling and walking characterize the Town of Bangor. Streams and historic buildings are also part of the town’s character. If you’re looking for a vacation rental in Bangor, these different aspects of the destination can help you decide which experiences you want to shape your stay: getting active on trails, enjoying nature by the water, or learning about the town’s history.

Experience the Forest and Landscape

A large part of the 3,109-acre Coulee Experimental Forest lies in the western part of the Town of Bangor. The forest has walking and hiking trails. This offers a different focus from the paved municipal roads or the state bicycle trail: here, the emphasis is on trails within a forested area. The Town’s landscape is also shaped by ridges and valleys. Forests, including forestland used for agriculture and other purposes, cover a total of 5,406 acres, or 32.2 percent of the Town.

White-tailed deer and eastern wild turkeys are also found in the Town of Bangor. When planning your trip, you can consider wildlife watching as an interest alongside walking and hiking, without needing to make it a fixed part of your itinerary.

Trails for Cycling, Walking and Winter Activities

The La Crosse River State Bicycle Trail runs for about 5 miles through the Town of Bangor. The trail is 21.5 miles long in total and connects with the Great River State Trail and the Sparta-Elroy State Trail. If you’re planning a longer bike ride, this route as a whole offers a different point of reference from the section within the Town. The La Crosse River State Trail is open to walkers and cyclists from spring through fall; in winter, it is open to snowmobiles.

The Town also offers more than 35 miles of low-traffic, paved municipal roads for cycling and walking. The character of these roads differs from that of the designated State Trail and may be a factor in choosing your day trip. In addition, a state-funded snowmobile trail runs about 5 miles east to west through the Town. Its approximate length and direction provide a brief sense of its location without suggesting a specific travel time.

Streams and Fishing Opportunities

Bostwick Creek is 16.04 miles long and is a Class I, II and III trout stream. The streams in the Town of Bangor flow into the La Crosse River and eventually into the Mississippi River.

The Bostwick Creek Fishery Area is located in the Town and is one of its recreational resources. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources also maintains fishing access easements in numerous areas of the Town and manages corresponding areas there. If fishing is part of your stay, these details offer a distinct point of reference for exploring Bangor’s waterways.

Historic Buildings and Place Names

Nine historic buildings in the Town of Bangor are listed in the Wisconsin Historical Society’s Architecture and History Inventory. One example of a building that has changed use is Bangor Town Hall: built in 1920, it was first used as a schoolhouse and later became the Town of Bangor’s town hall.

Another historic place name is Welsh Congregational Cemetery, historically known as Congregational Church of Fish Creek. It is located half a mile south of the intersection of County Road B and County Road J. Along with Town Hall and the listed buildings, this site adds a historical perspective to the area’s nature and trail experiences. Whether you want to focus your trip on forests, cycling and walking trails, or waterways, these different interests can help you decide if Bangor is the right destination for your stay.

Explore More Places

If you’d also like to explore other places, you’ll find La Crosse, Onalaska and West Salem here.

Return to the main travel overview: La Crosse.