Fort McCoy’s Pine View Recreation Area offers fall escapes with scenic Trout Falls, hiking, cabins

News – Fort McCoy’s Pine View Recreation Area offers fall escapes with scenic Trout Falls, hiking, cabins

Fort McCoy’s Pine View Recreation Area offers fall escapes with scenic Trout Falls, hiking, cabins

FORT MCCOY, WISCONSIN, UNITED STATES

10.29.2026

Story by Scott Sturkol                                                                                                                      

Fort McCoy Public Affairs Office          

Visitors looking for a place to experience Wisconsin’s autumn scenery can find a variety of outdoor recreation opportunities at Pine View Recreation Area on Fort McCoy, where Trout Falls, wooded hiking trails, cabin accommodations, and recreational equipment rentals offer ways to enjoy the outdoors as the fall season progresses.

Managed by Fort McCoy’s Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (DFMWR), Pine View Recreation Area encompasses hundreds of acres of wooded landscape and includes Pine View Campground, the La Crosse River, Trout Falls, Suukjak Sep Lake, Suukjak Sep Creek, and miles of hiking trails.

The campground opened May 1 for its 2026 season, marking its 54th year of providing camping and outdoor recreation opportunities at Fort McCoy. Campsites are scheduled to remain available through Nov. 30, while cabin accommodations are available year-round, subject to availability.

“Pine View Recreation Area offers four-season, year-round activities to include camping, hiking, fishing, and more,” said Alex D. Karis, supervisory recreation specialist and facility manager with the DFMWR Business Recreation Division’s Outdoor Recreation program.

Trout Falls provides a scenic autumn destination
One of the recreation area’s notable attractions is Trout Falls, where the La Crosse River flows over a series of rocky formations amid a wooded setting. During autumn, the surrounding trees provide a colorful backdrop for visitors exploring the area and photographing the changing landscape.

“If you want to see something incredibly beautiful, then come see Trout Falls,” Karis said.

Visitors can explore the area’s nature and hiking trails, which provide opportunities to experience the landscape at a slower pace and enjoy the sights and sounds of the outdoors.

Fort McCoy maintains approximately two miles of nature and hiking trails in the Pine View area. The trail to Trout Falls begins at the picnic area, providing visitors with a route to one of the recreation area’s scenic features.
The trails and river surroundings also offer opportunities for nature observation and photography as the seasons change. Visitors should use appropriate footwear and exercise caution on uneven or potentially slippery surfaces, particularly during wet or cool fall weather.

Cabins and camping accommodations
Pine View Campground provides a variety of overnight accommodations for visitors interested in spending additional time exploring the area.

The campground offers more than 170 campsites, including sites with full hookups, electrical service, and tent camping options. Additional lodging choices include camping cabins, lakeside cabins, yurts, and travel trailers.

Cabins provide an alternative for visitors who prefer a roof over their heads while enjoying the recreation area’s outdoor attractions. Year-round cabin availability also gives visitors opportunities to experience Pine View beyond the traditional summer camping season.

The campground features a camp store, comfort stations, showers, laundry facilities, picnic shelters, playgrounds, and recreational activity areas. Other amenities include miniature golf, shuffleboard, basketball, volleyball, and horseshoes.

The combination of lodging and outdoor recreation allows visitors to plan anything from a short autumn getaway to an extended stay.

Equipment rentals expand outdoor recreation options
Visitors do not necessarily need to bring all their own recreational equipment to enjoy Pine View.
The Recreational Equipment Checkout Center, located at the campground office, offers a variety of equipment for rent. Available items, depending on the season and inventory, include boats, canoes, fishing equipment, camping gear, bicycles, trailers, sports equipment, and other outdoor recreation items.

The rental program provides additional options for visitors interested in exploring the recreation area’s lakes, trails, and surrounding outdoor spaces.

Visitors should contact the campground office in advance to confirm equipment availability, seasonal restrictions, rental requirements, and fees. Reservations for equipment are recommended.

Fishing and four-season recreation
Beyond Trout Falls and the hiking trails, Pine View Recreation Area offers additional opportunities to enjoy the outdoors.

The La Crosse River and Suukjak Sep Lake provide fishing opportunities. The lake is stocked with rainbow trout and also supports species such as largemouth bass and panfish.

Anglers must follow Fort McCoy fishing requirements and possess the applicable installation and Wisconsin fishing licenses and trout stamp. Current rules and requirements are available through the Fort McCoy iSportsman program.

The recreation area also provides access to other seasonal activities, including winter recreation at nearby Whitetail Ridge Ski Area.

With approximately 65,000 visitors annually, Pine View Recreation Area serves military members, their families, Department of War civilians, veterans, and members of the public.

As autumn progresses, the area’s combination of scenic waterfalls, hiking trails, lodging, equipment rentals, and other recreational opportunities provides visitors with multiple ways to experience the outdoors at Fort McCoy.

For information about campsites, cabins, equipment rentals, current rates, and availability, contact the Pine View Campground office at 502-898-3517 or visit the official Fort McCoy Family and MWR website at https://mccoy.armymwr.com/programs/pine-view-campground.

(The Fort McCoy Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation contributed to this article.)

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