Trempealeau County: Cycling Routes and Nature Along the Mississippi

A marked canoe trail in Trempealeau Bay, prairie areas along a former railroad line, and birdwatching on the Mississippi show different sides of Trempealeau County. There are also cycling routes, rocky landscapes, and wetlands. When planning your trip, you can first consider which activities and which season will shape your stay.

Cycling and trails through the landscape

Trempealeau County has a connected network of cycling loops, with more than 487 miles of paved secondary roads through scenic surroundings. The mileage may be updated over time, so it’s worth checking current route information when planning. The Great River State Trail is part of the Mississippi River Trail, a designated cycling route from Lake Itasca in Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico in Louisiana.

Great River Trail Prairies offers a different perspective on the landscape. The area includes two diverse remnants of sand prairie along a former railroad line and is one of the last remaining parts of the Trempealeau Prairie. Rare plants are also characteristic of the area. To reach Great River Trail Prairies, park on W. Prairie Road and continue east or west along the recreational trail.

Brady’s Bluff Prairie also combines plant diversity with distinctive habitats: it includes more than 100 native Wisconsin plant species and provides habitat for rare animals. These include the Wing Snaggletooth Land Snail, listed as threatened in Wisconsin. Nature enthusiasts will find a different focus here than on the long cycling routes.

River scenery, bluffs, and canoe trips

Perrot State Park lies at the confluence of the Trempealeau River and the Mississippi River, between bluffs about 500 feet high. There is a marked canoe trail in Trempealeau Bay, and canoes can be rented in the park during the season. The Long Lake Canoe Trail begins and ends at the Long Lake Boat Landing near Trempealeau—a different starting and ending point for navigating the water.

The Mississippi landscape also has a long human history. Indigenous peoples have inhabited the land where Perrot State Park is now located for thousands of years. Trempealeau Bay was an important meeting place for trappers and traders, as well as a popular stop for river travelers. Trempealeau Mountain is also one of only three massive rock islands along the entire Mississippi River.

Birds and diverse natural areas

The Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge covers 6,446 acres along the Mississippi River and lies within the Mississippi Flyway. During spring migration, bald eagles, trumpeter swans, geese, and ducks can be spotted from the observation platform; sightings are seasonal. Visitors who want to explore the area on their own can also follow the self-guided, 4.5-mile Prairie’s Edge Tour Loop. The Prairie’s Edge Tour Loop is designated for bicycles, pedestrians, and vehicles. Trail and road conditions can vary, so it’s helpful to check current conditions when planning.

Other natural areas offer their own distinctive features. At Trempealeau Lakes State Wildlife Area, wetlands separate the lakes from the Mississippi, and the area is surrounded by floodplain forests. Tamarack Creek Bog includes one of the largest tamarack bog areas in the Driftless Area outside the Glacial Lake Wisconsin area. Activities offered at Lakes Coulee Wildlife Area include birdwatching, trout fishing, hiking, snowmobiling, and wildlife watching. The opportunities differ in both landscape and the ways to spend time outdoors.

Find a hotel to suit your excursion plans

Discover more destinations: Pigeon Falls, Sauk County, Crawford County, St. Croix County, Ozaukee, Lincoln County, Rusk County, Iowa County.

For the main travel overview: Wisconsin.