Perrot State Park facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Perrot State Park
IUCN Category V (Protected Landscape/Seascape)
Trempealeau Mountain
Perrot State Park Location in Wisconsin Show map of Wisconsin Perrot State Park Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Location	Trempealeau, Wisconsin, United States
Area	1,270 acres (5.1 km2)
Established	1918
Named for	Nicolas Perrot
Governing body	Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Perrot State Park is a beautiful state park in Wisconsin. It's located where the Trempealeau River meets the mighty Mississippi River. This area is part of Wisconsin's Driftless Area, which means it wasn't flattened by glaciers long ago.

The park covers about 1,270 acres. That's like 960 football fields! It offers amazing views of tall limestone cliffs and wide river valleys. Perrot State Park is a great place to explore nature, watch wildlife, and learn about history.

Exploring Perrot State Park

Perrot State Park is a fantastic spot for outdoor adventures. You can find many things to do here, from hiking to camping.

Nature and Wildlife

The park has special spots where you can watch many different birds. These birds either live in the park or stop there during their long journeys. You might see eagles, pelicans, and many other types of birds. The park's varied landscape, with its bluffs and rivers, makes it a perfect home for lots of animals.

Trails and Activities

If you love to be active, Perrot State Park has plenty of options.

• There are many hiking trails that let you explore the park's beautiful scenery.
• You can also go camping and spend a night under the stars.
• For those who enjoy biking, there are mountain bike trails that go deep into the park.

Special Natural Areas

Perrot State Park protects two very important natural areas. These are called State Natural Areas.

Brady's Bluff Prairie

One of these areas is Brady's Bluff Prairie. A "prairie" is a large area of flat grassland. This spot helps protect special plants and animals that live in prairie environments.

Trempealeau Mountain

The other special area is Trempealeau Mountain. This mountain is shaped like a cone and is surrounded by water. It's a very unique landmark.

A Sacred Place

For the Native Americans who lived here long ago, Trempealeau Mountain was a very important and sacred place. They used it as a landmark for meetings and believed it had spiritual meaning. You can still see some ancient earthwork mounds in the park. These mounds were built by Native American cultures many centuries ago.

History of the Park

Perrot State Park also protects a significant historical site. It was one of the first places where European explorers set up camp in the upper Mississippi River area.

Named for Nicolas Perrot

The park is named after Nicolas Perrot. He was a French explorer who was the first person to write about this specific area. The park was officially established in 1918, more than 100 years ago!

View from Brady's Bluff shelter, looking south across the Mississippi River to Minnesota. August 2003