Black River Beach
La Crosse, Wisconsin · Black River Beach & Neighborhood Center
Verified · 5 independent sources
- WATER
- river
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- No fee found
- SEASON
- Varies by conditions
About Black River Beach
Black River Beach is a city-owned swimming hole on the Black River in North La Crosse, Wisconsin, a public swim beach run by the La Crosse Parks, Recreation & Forestry Department. It gives the neighborhood a river to swim in, and it is paired with an adjoining year-round neighborhood center building at 1433 Rose Street that offers beach access along with rentable community rooms.
The beach sits on the Black River near where it meets Mississippi River backwaters on La Crosse's north side, immediately adjacent to the city-run Black River Beach Neighborhood Center building, which the city describes as having 'beautiful views of the Black River and the beach just a few steps away.'
Swimming at Black River Beach
This is an informal, unguarded river beach: the city's own beach-safety guidance for it (shared with the city's other beach, Pettibone) warns of river currents, river debris, unclear water, underwater hazards such as vegetation and rocks, passing watercraft/river barges, variable water temperature, and drop-offs/varying depths, indicating natural, non-engineered river swimming conditions rather than a groomed or lifeguarded swim area.
How to get to this swimming hole
Located at 1433 Rose Street, La Crosse, WI 54603, on the city's north side; the beach is directly adjacent to the Black River Beach Neighborhood Center building.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. This is a drive-up city beach at 1433 Rose Street, La Crosse, directly adjacent to the Black River Beach Neighborhood Center building ('the beach just a few steps away' per the city's own description) -- no trail or hike is needed to reach the water.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
It's an easy, drive-up river beach right next to the city's Black River Beach Neighborhood Center, but the City of La Crosse's own beach-safety notice for this spot warns of no lifeguards on duty, river currents, unclear water, underwater hazards (vegetation/rocks), passing watercraft/river barges, and varying depths/drop-offs -- so young kids need close supervision rather than free unsupervised wading.
Water clarity
Often murky
The City of La Crosse's official beach-safety notice for Black River Beach explicitly lists 'unclear water' among the river hazards visitors should expect, alongside underwater vegetation/rocks and varying depths -- consistent with typical Black River/Mississippi-backwater turbidity rather than clear water.
On the water
The city's safety notice for this beach warns swimmers to watch for 'watercraft/river barges' passing on the river, confirming the Black River here does carry boat traffic, but no source found this session confirms whether launching kayaks/canoes/paddleboards directly from the swim beach itself is permitted or where a formal launch is located.
Black River Beach: FAQ
Is Black River Beach kid friendly?
It's an easy, drive-up river beach right next to the city's Black River Beach Neighborhood Center, but the City of La Crosse's own beach-safety notice for this spot warns of no lifeguards on duty, river currents, unclear water, underwater hazards (vegetation/rocks), passing watercraft/river barges, and varying depths/drop-offs -- so young kids need close supervision rather than free unsupervised wading.
Do I need to hike to reach Black River Beach?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
What are the rules at Black River Beach?
No lifeguards on duty. City rules prohibit alcohol, dogs on the beach, fires, littering, and smoking (La Crosse Municipal Code secs. 34-58, 34-61, 34-66, 34-73).
