Pettibone Park occupies an island in the Mississippi River just west of downtown, connected to the city by a causeway. The park has a beach on the protected backwater side that is popular in summer for swimming, and a boat launch for those exploring the river by kayak or canoe. The backwater channels between Pettibone Island and the Wisconsin shore are shallow and calm, making them good for beginner paddlers and for watching herons, egrets, and the occasional bald eagle.
The park also has a disc golf course, picnic shelters, and a playground. In summer it fills up on weekends; arrive early if you want a good spot on the beach. The views from the island back toward the La Crosse riverfront and up to the bluffs are among the better ones in town — you get the whole city framed by the bluffs behind it, which explains why people have been coming out here since the park was established in the early 20th century.