Monroe: Discover Nature, Trails, and History
Accommodation in Monroe
Monroe combines diverse trails, distinctive landscapes, and a remarkable cultural history. Those looking for a vacation rental or vacation home can tailor their trip planning to their own interests: active days on a bike, nature experiences by water and in the woods, or visits to museums and historic sites. Access to Interstates 90 and 94 makes traveling to Monroe County from across the region easier.
Bike Trails, Water, and Distinctive Landscapes
For cycling enthusiasts, the La Crosse River State Trail is a defining feature of the region. The rail trail is 22 miles long and has a crushed limestone surface. A bridge in Sparta connects it to the Elroy-Sparta State Trail. This trail passes through the communities of Norwalk, Wilton, and Kendall, offering another perspective on the trails around Monroe County.
The Tomah Recreational Trail also offers a practical way to incorporate exercise into your trip. The paved multi-use trail is four miles long and runs between Lake Tomah and Veterans Park. Those who prefer water activities will find the La Crosse River a destination for canoeing and kayaking, suitable for these activities throughout the summer.
At McMullen Memorial County Park, the 50-acre Lake Wazeda is part of the landscape. Gasoline-powered motors are not permitted there, while electric motors are allowed for trolling. The park also has 88 campsites. Eureka Maple Woods reveals another side of nature: The area lies on a steep, north-facing slope above Timber Coulee Creek and was designated a Wisconsin State Natural Area in 1989.
At Mill Bluff State Park, more than two miles of hiking trails lead to views of mesas, buttes, and rock pinnacles. The site also includes the 1.25-mile Camel's Bluff hiking loop. These different trail lengths give you a clear choice when planning your day between a more extensive hike and a shorter loop.
Museums and Unusual Discoveries
Monroe County also offers interesting destinations when you want to combine a day of culture and history. The Deke Slayton Memorial Space & Bicycle Museum traces the development of transportation through bicycles, aviation, and space travel. It is located on the second floor of the historic Masonic Temple in Sparta.
The Wegner Grotto is a distinctive attraction. Its patriotic and religious monuments were created between 1929 and 1942. Wegner Grotto County Park includes concrete sculptures decorated with shards of glass and found objects. Wegner Grotto is designated as a historic site and attracts thousands of visitors each year.
At the Little Falls Railroad & Doll Museum, G-scale steam trains run on more than 500 feet of track through Monroe County. The Cranberry Discovery Center focuses on the history and development of cranberry cultivation and displays historic sorting mills, photographs, and artifacts. Interactive exhibits, including a cranberry-catching game, also make this topic an engaging shared discovery for different age groups.
Combining History and Trip Planning
The Fort McCoy Commemorative Area offers insight into various chapters of military history. The History Center displays memorabilia related to the site's role in World War I and World War II, the Korean War, the operations of the Cuban Refugee Resettlement Center, and Operation Desert Storm. Buildings from the World War II era illustrate soldiers' lives in the 1940s; the Equipment Park displays more than 70 pieces of equipment dating from World War II to the present.
For self-guided tours, the Fort McCoy Commemorative Area is open to the public from June through August on the second and fourth Friday of each month, from 12 to 4 p.m. This specific period should be taken into account when planning your trip. The Little Red School House, originally called Watermill School, was built in 1864 and is located five miles northeast of Tomah, Wisconsin.
The Right Base for Your Stay
When searching for a vacation rental in Monroe, you can first determine the pace of travel you want. For active days, the information about the various trails and the river landscape provides useful guidance. Those who prefer to combine nature, museums, and historic sites can spread these themes across several days of their vacation.
For the broader travel overview: Wisconsin.
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