10/25/2026
🚧🚨 IMPORTANT ALERT! RAILROAD CROSSING CLOSURE IN NELSON, WI OCTOBER 26-30, 2026 🚧 🚨
🍁 PLANNING A TRIP TO PEPIN, WISCONSIN OR ALONG THE GREAT RIVER ROAD? TRAVELING FOR WORK OR PLEASURE? 🚧 PLEASE READ & SHARE!
⚠️ HIGHWAY 25 IN NELSON, WI WILL BE CLOSED AT THE BNSF RAILROAD CROSSING!🚧
📅 Monday, October 26 at 6:00 AM through Friday, October 30 at approximately 4:00 PM.
This closure will affect travelers using the Wabasha, MN to Nelson, WI route, a popular crossing for visitors heading to Pepin, Stockholm, Maiden Rock and other communities along The West Coast of Wisconsin.
THE GOOD NEWS? PEPIN IS STILL OPEN AND READY TO WELCOME YOU ALL WEEK LONG and THE CROSSING IS SET TO BE OPEN FOR WEEKEND TRAVEL! ❤️
You'll just need to plan a different route if you're traveling to or fro during those dates!
🚗 COMING FROM MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL?
You have two beautiful options!
🍂 OPTION 1 - VIA RED WING: Travel to Red Wing, MN, cross the Mississippi River on Highway 63 into Wisconsin, then follow Highway 35 South through Bay City, Maiden Rock and Stockholm to Pepin.
🍂 OPTION 2 - VIA PRESCOTT: Cross into Wisconsin at Prescott and follow Highway 35 South, Wisconsin's Great River Road, through the beautiful river communities all the way to Pepin!
🚗 COMING FROM ROCHESTER, MN?
Travel north on Highway 52, connect with Highway 63 toward Red Wing, cross the Mississippi into Wisconsin and follow Highway 35 South to Pepin.
🚗 COMING FROM LA CROSSE OR WINONA?
🍁 Wisconsin side: Follow Highway 35 North along The Great River Road through the river communities toward Pepin.
🍁 Minnesota side: Travel to Winona, cross the Mississippi into Wisconsin via Highway 43/54, then follow Highway 35 North toward Pepin.
🍁 PLANNING A SCENIC FALL-COLOR LOOP AROUND LAKE PEPIN? PLEASE PLAN ACCORDINGLY!
The traditional loop using the Wabasha/Nelson crossing will not be accessible during the closure.
You can still enjoy a beautiful drive along the Wisconsin side of Lake Pepin along the Great River Road, using the Red Wing crossing to connect between Minnesota and Wisconsin.
If you're traveling from the Twin Cities, another scenic option is to enjoy Highway 35 South through Pepin, then head inland toward Durand via Highway 25 North and connect with Highway 10 West for your return toward the Twin Cities.
The fall colors, river bluffs, charming small towns and beautiful scenery aren't going anywhere - Visit Pepin County!
Whether you're headed to a wedding at Woods & Co Weddings + Events or another venue, visiting the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum, staying at a fabulous local Airbnb, enjoying a weekend getaway, exploring our boutiques and shops, visiting Villa Bellezza Winery & Vineyards and restaurants, or stopping in for coffee at Bearfish Brew at Lake Pepin, our wonderful little river communities are still very much accessible!
We just want everyone to know BEFORE they head out so they can enjoy their visit without an unexpected detour!
📍 PEPIN IS OPEN. THE GREAT RIVER ROAD IS CALLING. JUST PLAN YOUR ROUTE!
For updated road conditions, visit
Provides up to the minute traffic information for Wisconsin. View the real time traffic map with travel times, traffic accident details, traffic cameras and other road conditions. Plan your trip and get the fastest route taking into account current traffic conditions.
