Airport Beach
La Crosse, Wisconsin
Verified · 3 independent sources
- WATER
- river
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- No fee found
- SEASON
- Best in summer
About Airport Beach
Airport Beach is a small sandy swimming hole on the Mississippi River backwaters near La Crosse Municipal Airport in the French Island/Medary area outside La Crosse, Wisconsin. It is one of eight places to swim that La Crosse County officially monitors for swimming water quality each summer, confirming it as a recognized, if low-key, public beach rather than an informal or unofficial access point.
The beach sits along the Mississippi River/Black River backwater channels near La Crosse Municipal Airport on French Island, a flat, marshy river-bottom landscape typical of the Upper Mississippi backwaters near La Crosse, with sandy shoreline and calm water rather than dramatic scenery.
Swimming at Airport Beach
Reviewers describe shallow, sandy-bottomed water suited to families, kids, and dogs, with vehicle/boat access to the shoreline. County monitoring data show it is treated as an open swim area in normal conditions, subject to periodic bacteria-related closures/warnings in summer.
How to get to this swimming hole
Parking: Visitor reviews describe ample parking available on most days, including summer, with vehicle access down to the beach itself.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. This is a drive-up beach: visitor reviews describe vehicle access reaching close to/down to the shoreline, so no trail or hike is needed to reach the water.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Aggregated visitor reviews describe shallow, sandy-bottomed water that is family- and pet-friendly, but the same reviews note the swim area is not marked with buoys to delineate a safe zone, and La Crosse County periodically posts warnings/closures for E. coli after heavy rain. Parents should check current county beach-monitoring status before swimming with kids.
Parking
Free
Aggregated visitor reviews describe ample parking available even in summer, with vehicle access down to the beach itself; no parking fee is mentioned in any source found.
Hours
5am-9pm daily, per an unofficial listing (not confirmed on an official county/park sign or website)
On the water
An aggregator review page notes 'boat and vehicle access to the shoreline,' implying small craft can be launched informally from the beach, but no official boat-ramp signage, launch facility, or watercraft rules were found for this specific site; treat as an informal carry-in/drive-down launch rather than a maintained ramp.
Airport Beach: FAQ
Is Airport Beach kid friendly?
Aggregated visitor reviews describe shallow, sandy-bottomed water that is family- and pet-friendly, but the same reviews note the swim area is not marked with buoys to delineate a safe zone, and La Crosse County periodically posts warnings/closures for E. coli after heavy rain. Parents should check current county beach-monitoring status before swimming with kids.
Do I need to hike to reach Airport Beach?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Airport Beach?
Aggregated visitor reviews describe ample parking available even in summer, with vehicle access down to the beach itself; no parking fee is mentioned in any source found.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Airport Beach?
An aggregator review page notes 'boat and vehicle access to the shoreline,' implying small craft can be launched informally from the beach, but no official boat-ramp signage, launch facility, or watercraft rules were found for this specific site; treat as an informal carry-in/drive-down launch rather than a maintained ramp.
When is the best time to visit Airport Beach?
Summer (Memorial Day through Labor Day), matching the county's official beach-monitoring season.
What are the rules at Airport Beach?
La Crosse County Health Department tests water weekly (Memorial Day-Labor Day) for E. coli; posts a warning if counts reach 236-1,000 cfu/100mL and closes the beach to swimming above 1,000 cfu/100mL until retesting shows safe levels. County guidance also advises against swimming after heavy rain or when blue-green algae may be present.
