Mississippi River, Upper I-90 State Water Access *

The Upper I-90 Access provides two concrete boat ramps on the Mississippi River in La Crescent, offering convenient launch facilities for paddlers and boaters exploring Pool 7 of the Upper Mississippi River Valley. Located in the river park area, the site is easily accessible via US 49 Business (take the second traffic light and turn right, passing the courthouse and WWI memorial). This location serves as an excellent put-in for exploring the scenic reach between Trempealeau, Wisconsin and Dresbach, Minnesota.

Paddlers should be prepared for a major river system with significant flow—the Mississippi averages over 685,000 cubic feet per second at this latitude with current velocities around 11 feet per second. The river's gentle gradient (0.8 ft/mile) makes this an accessible section for intermediate paddlers, though the volume of water and occasional commercial traffic warrant appropriate precautions. Nearby amenities include the Dresbach State Travel Information Center (about 1.5 miles away) with restrooms and picnic areas, making this a good staging point for longer paddling excursions on the Upper Mississippi River system.