Winter Recreation

When snow conditions permit, nine miles of trail are groomed and tracked for cross-country skiing. Skate skiing is allowed only on a one-mile section of trail in the campground. Each skier age 16 and older must have a state trail pass when the trails are groomed. Hiking, snowshoeing and pets are not allowed on groomed ski trails.

Snowshoeing is allowed on any trail that is not groomed for skiing. The Black Walnut nature trail, Riverview trail, Brady’s Bluff east and west trails and sections of the Perrot Ridge trail are open for snowshoeing and winter hiking. Snowshoes are available for rent at the park headquarters.

The Park does not monitor ice conditions on the rivers. Be extremely cautious of ice conditions at all times.

Cross-country skiing trails

Bay trail (2.0 miles)

This trail provides an easy ski loop from the nature center through the campground and back. It is tracked for traditional skiing.

In the campground is a 1-mile trail groomed for skate skiing. Start at the nature center.

Wilber's trail (2.4 miles)

This trail is our intermediate ski loop, which travels from the nature center, past the maintenance shop, around a loop and back. It is tracked for traditional skiing.

Prairie trail (3.1 miles)

This trail is an expert ski loop that starts from Wilber's trail, heads up and around Perrot Ridge and loops back to Wilber’s trail. It is tracked for traditional skiing.

Cedar Glade trail (5.0 miles)

This trail is an expert ski loop that extends past the Prairie trail, drops into the ravines behind Perrot Ridge and loops back to the Prairie trail. 

Snowshoeing trails

Black Walnut nature trail (0.5 miles)

This trail is a self-guided interpretive trail loop with 20 interpretive stops. Guides are available at the trailhead. Find out how Native Americans lived in this area. The trail is relatively flat and is covered with wood chips.

Brady’s Bluff trail - east (0.7 miles)

Start your hike from the Mounds parking lot near the park headquarters. You will be passing through the Brady’s Bluff State Natural Area. Brady's Bluff Prairie is a dry bluff prairie on a steep, southwest-facing Mississippi River bluff that rises nearly 460 feet above the river. The bluff, composed of sandstone capped with Prairie du Chien dolomite, affords a spectacular view of the river valley from its summit. The prairie contains over 100 species of native Wisconsin plants and many species of the Great Plains that are at or near their northeastern limit here. Several rare animals are also harbored by the natural area, including butterflies and the state threatened wing snaggletooth land snail. The trail is narrow and steep and you will encounter some steps.

Brady’s Bluff trail - west (0.5 miles)

Start your hike at Brady’s parking lot above the boat landing.  As you travel along this winding trail up to the goat prairie at the top of the bluff, look for the rock steps and walls that were constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the mid-1930s. The wooden stairway was built in 1995 by the Wisconsin Conservation Corps.  As you take each step, imagine carrying up the materials and tools to build these stairs. As you approach the top of the bluff to enjoy the views of Trempealeau Mountain and Trempealeau Bay, you will encounter a shelter building also constructed by the CCC. Take a break in the shade of the shelter and maybe a turkey vulture or eagle will soar by. The trail is narrow and steep and you will encounter steps and a stairway.

Great River State Trail

Perrot State Park is adjacent to the 24 mile Great River State Trail, where you can bicycle or snowmobile as well as hike and snowshoe.

Perrot Ridge trail (1.5 miles)

Start your hike at the Mounds parking lot near the park headquarters. Meander through the lower prairie and climb stairs up to the top of the ridge and enjoy views of the river, Trempealeau Bay and the surrounding farmlands. Travel along a narrow trail at the top of the bluff and head back down past the Perrot historical marker where you can learn about Nicholas Perrot who traveled and camped in this area in 1685. The trail is steep and you will encounter some stairs.

Riverview trail (2.5 miles)

Walk along the water’s edge with close-up views of the Mississippi and Trempealeau rivers. This trail goes from the campground to the east entrance with trail access at any of the parking lots. The trail is relatively flat, some steps, but no steep climbs.