Marinas Along The Great River Road
Running alongside the mighty Mississippi River, the Wisconsin Great River Road takes travelers past many community marinas that can get you out onto the water for your next boating adventure. Whether you enjoy tubing, water sports, watching wildlife, or just taking in the scenery as you cruise the river, these marinas are great places to start and end your day on a good note. Here are some of the best marinas along the Wisconsin Great River Road with friendly faces waiting to help you have a great day out on the Mississippi.
Pettibone Boat Club
The Pettibone Boat Club in La Crosse, Wisconsin is located on the Mississippi River and offers plenty of amenities to club members and visitors. Found on Barron Island near Pettibone Park, the marina has a dock where you can stop for gas and ice during your day on the river. Or you can pay a few bucks to dock and grab a bite to eat or something to drink at the Mississippi River View Restaurant & Tiki Bar at the marina. This is also a great place to dock if you’d like to explore La Crosse’s large downtown while you’re in the area. To get downtown by foot, you’ll have to cross the pedestrian walkway on the bridge, but you can opt to get an Uber as well. There are plenty of restaurants, bars, parks, and more in downtown La Crosse, so there will be plenty of options for food and fun before heading back onto the water.
Trempealeau Marina
Found near Lock and Dam No. 6, the Trempealeau Marina is another great marina choice on the Mississippi River. The marina offers boat rentals if you don’t have your own boat, and a boat launch is on site. While the marina is open to visitors, most of the services are for marina members. With a little bit of walking, you can explore quaint downtown Trempealeau and the many recreational opportunities including a bluff hike that offers beautiful views of the Mississippi River Valley.
The Alma Marina
The Alma Marina is one of the most welcoming and friendly marinas on this stretch of the Mississippi with many services available to the general public. Located in Alma, Wisconsin just above Lock and Dam No. 4, the marina offers seasonal and daily slip rentals giving you convenient access to the Mississippi and river recreation. You can also rent a pontoon or a houseboat from the marina if you are unable to bring a boat of your own. With a gas dock, private restrooms and shower facilities, and prime access to downtown Alma where you’ll find little shops and restaurants, the Alma Marina is a great place for your next boat outing.
If you are in need of mechanical services, just 15 miles north is the Pepin Marina. It also offers seasonal and daily slips, plus a 5-ton travel lift is available to launch and haul out boats.
Winneshiek Marina / Prairie du Chien Marina
No matter what kind of boat you have, the Winneshiek Marina and the Prairie du Chien Marina are two marinas located on the Mississippi River in Prairie du Chien that have you covered. Sitting in front of the Winneshiek Bar and Grill, the Winneshiek Marina is located near the Sports Unlimited Campground. Memorial Day through Labor Day, you can pay for overnight docking and parking on the weekends. The Prairie du Chien Marina can be found 3 miles south of Winneshiek, less than a mile from downtown Prairie du Chien. This marina is much smaller, offering only four overnight slips for pontoons and runabouts, but it puts you at a prime spot for walking downtown and enjoying the unique shops and restaurants.
