In 1851, the village of Onalaska was formed by men from New York and Pennsylvania. One of these men named the settlement “Onalaska” as a tribute to a Thomas Campbell poem that features the name “Oonalaska.” Lumber and agriculture were important to Onalaska for many years thanks to the city’s proximity to the Black River and the Mississippi River. The Black River was dammed in the 1930s, resulting in the formation of Lake Onalaska and the partial merging of the two rivers. Nowadays, nearly 19,000 people live in this city that’s part of the La Crosse-Onalaska Metropolitan Statistical Area.
One of the biggest attractions in Onalaska is Lake Onalaska, which is nearly 8,400 acres large. It’s full of sunfish, giving Onalaska the designation of “Sunfish Capital of the World.” You can also catch largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, and walleye at Lake Onalaska.
If you’re looking for some peaceful local parks to visit, stop by Rowe Park, Van Riper Dog Park, and Great River Landing. Those in search of adventure can find it at Riverside Amusement Park and Jump Start Adventure Park. One excellent place to rent a boat in Onalaska is Schafer’s Boat Rentals.
Some highly rated restaurants in Onalaska are Red Pines Bar and Grill, Ciatti’s Italian Grill, and Blue Moon Restaurant. For tasty fine dining in Onalaska, visit the Freighthouse Restaurant, Lovechild, and Waterfront Restaurant and Tavern. If you’re dining on a budget, then you should check out Nutbush City Limits, La Crosse Family Restaurant, and Pearl Ice Cream Parlor.
Spring Creek National Motocross – This exciting motocross event takes place an hour and 15 minutes from Onalaska in Millville, MN. At this mid-July event, you can watch several thrilling races, visit the Kid Zone, and go fishing at a pond.
Apple Harvest Festival – If you’re visiting Onalaska in late September and early October, then you’ll have the chance to attend this festival of all things apple-related. Apple pie contests, a quilt show, a parade, and more are part of this fun festival.
Oktoberfest USA – Nearby La Crosse hosts this ode to German culture and alcohol in late September and early October. Live music, a parade, and plenty of beer are on tap at this event.
One top-notch RV storage facility in Onalaska is Northern Land Storage. This facility close to Lake Onalaska allows customers to access the facility 24/7. In nearby La Crosse, you can store your RV at U-Haul Moving & Storage of La Crosse. This facility has a dump station, electronically controlled access, and electrical outlets. Another quality storage facility in La Crosse is Galaxy Self Storage, which features robust security measures like an on-site manager, surveillance cameras, and bright lighting.
Perrot State Park is a mere 25 minutes northwest of Onalaska, so it’s an easy state park to visit. Situated along the Mississippi River, it’s a great place to hike, fish, climb, kayak, and bike.
If you continue driving along the Mississippi River for half an hour from Perrot State Park, you’ll reach Merrick State Park. With its location on a Mississippi River backwater, you can camp, fish, hike, and watch the many species of birds that call this park home.
Wildcat Mountain State Park is slightly less than an hour southeast of Onalaska. This park contains 21 miles of trails, Kickapoo River access, and an ice cave to tour in the winter.
You can easily visit several excellent Wisconsin landmarks while you’re in Onalaska. One of these is Devil’s Lake State Park, which is an hour and a half from Onalaska. The 9,000 acres of this popular park are suitable for hiking, boating, bouldering, scuba diving, rock climbing, and more.
Taliesin East is only 45 minutes southwest of Devil’s Lake State Park. Architecture buffs and casual travelers alike will enjoy touring this beautiful house and grounds designed by famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright.
The Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum and Wayside Cabin is an hour and 15 minutes northwest of Onalaska and about half an hour from Merrick State Park. This museum contains a replica of the Ingalls family’s log cabin and various artifacts relating to the life and times of this beloved author.
Nearby La Crosse is home to some nice RV campgrounds. One of these is Pettibone Resort RV Park & Campground, which is right on the Mississippi River. Some of the amenities include full hookups, large pull-through sites, and an event hall. Another nice place to camp is Neshonoc Lakeside Camping Resort, which is 15 minutes east of Onalaska on Lake Neshonoc. At this campground, you can fish and boat on the lake, swim in the two pools, and relax in a hot tub. You can also park your RV at Leon Valley Campground, which is half an hour from Onalaska and 20 minutes from Whitetail Ridge. Amenities here include showers, cell reception, and a swimming pool.
Motorhomes are divided into Class A, B, and C vehicles. On average expect to pay $185 per night for Class A, $149 per night for Class B and $179 per night for Class C. Towable RVs include 5th Wheel, Travel Trailers, Popups, and Toy Hauler. On average, in Onalaska, WI, the 5th Wheel trailer starts at $70 per night. Pricing for the Travel Trailer begins at $60 per night, and the Popup Trailer starts at $65 per night.
Do you need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Onalaska?Yes. The minimum age is 25 to be eligible to get an RV Rental in Onalaska from RVshare.
Does RVshare have emergency roadside assistance?Yes. Every RV rental booked through RVshare receives 24/7 emergency roadside assistance.
Does RVshare offer one way RV rentals in Onalaska?Yes. Prior to renting any RV, check with the owner since not all will offer this particular option.
