At 590 feet above the city, Grandad Bluff delivers the kind of view that makes you understand why La Crosse exists where it does. The Mississippi valley spreads below you in all directions — river islands, backwater channels, and the bluffs of Minnesota and Iowa on the far side. On a clear autumn day when the hardwoods are turning, this is one of the better vistas in the upper Midwest.
The park at the summit has a paved overlook with benches and interpretive panels about the valley geography. You can drive up, but hiking up from the lower trailheads is far more satisfying. The bluffside trail system connects to several other peaks and allows longer loops through the oak-hickory forest. In winter the road may be closed, making snowshoe approaches the option; in summer it's a popular sunset destination. Go on a weekday evening for a quieter experience.