IT'S A GREAT VIEW, AND WE'RE NOT BLUFFING. The Mississippi River from Perrot State Park in Trempealeau. (Photo by Jim Brekke | CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

If you want the chance to explore a historic piece of nature in the state of Wisconsin, but still be five minutes away from an air-conditioned hotel, Perrot State Park in Trempealeau is the place for you. With 1,270 acres, the park features hiking trails upon bluffs with stunning views and intricate routes within the backwaters of the Mississippi River for canoeing, fishing, and more. 

Named after Nicolas Perrot, a French explorer of the Upper Mississippi Valley in the 17th century, this state park is nestled about an hour and twenty minutes from Eau Claire. It’s the perfect place for a getaway that’s not too far from home, but far enough to experience the calming atmosphere of a weekend vacation. 

You can hike all the way up to Brady’s Bluff for a picturesque scene of the Mississippi River and Trempealeau Mountain, an island that’s said to hold a colony of rattlesnakes, so I wouldn’t recommend canoeing onto its shores. Or you can cycle along the bike trails that penetrate through and beyond the park. Camp sites are also available for stargazing and s’mores. 

If you’d prefer indoor camping, the Trempealeau Hotel, five minutes away in town, is a popular spot for dinner and a beer. Other well-known eateries are Sullivan’s Supper Club, on the road leading to the park; River Café, which personally is my favorite place for breakfast; and Driftless Bike N’ Bean, a coffee and bike repair shop. About five minutes from Trempealeau, in Centerville, you can find a variety of foods at Beedles, Four Corners, and Jailhouse Saloon. 

Perrot State Park is the land of the unassuming, but offers memorable times for family fun and relaxation.

To learn more about Perrot State Park, visit dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/perrot.