Trempealeau County, Wisconsin - in the heart of God's Country!

The Mississippi River Flyway is the most important avian migratory route in North America. Over 290 species of birds use the river valley as a spring and fall migratory flyway, including forty percent of all the waterfowl in North America. The river environment serves as a migration corridor for waterfowl, and numerous other birds such as raptors, shorebirds, and songbirds. The Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge stretches for 261 miles along the mighty river, from Wabasha, Minnesota to nearly Rock Island, Illinois. This river country offers fabulous opportunities for birding among the marshlands, backwater sloughs, rich bottomland, open water, and wooded bluffs. Each spring and fall, thousands of waterfowl migrate along this flyway. Thousands of geese and ducks pass through, one of the most impressive are the thousands of Tundra Swans the congregate along the river in October and November. One of the best spots to observe the swans is in the Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge outside of the Village of Trempealeau. The Mississippi Flyway Birding Festival held each year in early May, features many events such as guided hikes, through the wildlife refuges and boat trips that allow sightings of many species of waterfowl. The festival in part sponsored by the Audubon Society, provides seminars on river and birding issues and is a cooperative project involving several federal, state, and environmental agencies. Currently there are two birding trails that include the Mississippi River corridor and Trempealeau County. The Great Wisconsin Birding and Nature Trail-Mississippi/Chippewa Rivers Region is a mapped auto trail that covers thirteen of Wisconsin’s western counties. Information for the guide was gathered locally from Wisconsin DNR federal Forest Service, naturalists, birders, and a wide range of wildlife enthusiasts. Each site mentioned was nominated locally and evaluated as part of the regional project. You may order the guide online, or by phone from the Wisconsin Department of Tourism, (800)432-TRIP or www.travelwisconsin.com. Several of the Wisconsin Travel Information Centers may have copies of the brochure as well. This guide is extremely useful as it includes the common and rare birds and wildlife in each site mentioned. The Audubon Great River Birding Trail is a self-guided tour which parallels both sides of the Mississippi river. The trails guide lists birding sites that are along or close to the Great River Road. Website

Great River Trail	W26247 Sullivan Road PO Box 407 Trempealeau, WI 54661 (608) 534-6409 Website
This 24-mile trail travels through prairies and backwaters of the upper Mississippi River valley. From its trailhead in the Village of Trempealeau, the trail follows along 18 different waterways, crosses the Black River on a former railroad trestle, and passes nearby to the Perrot State Park. Many birds and wildlife can be seen crossing the trail or in the surrounding wetlands. The trail has a finely crushed limestone surface suitable for walking and biking, and winter activities such as cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling.

Pietrek County Park	Highway 93 between Independence & Arcadia, WI Phone County Clerk’s Office (715) 538-2311 ext 205
100 acre park is located on the Trempealeau River, on Highway 93, between Independence and Arcadia. This rural park has many amenities, 20 plus campsites, showers, picnic area, two shelters, nature trails, playground equipment, and a canoe landing. Pietrek Park is adjacent to the 4-H horse arena, and horseback riding trails.

Perrot State Park	W26247 Sullivan Rd Trempealeau, WI 54661 (608) 534-6409 (888) 947-2757 Email Website
Perrot State Park's 1,243 acres are nestled among 500-foot bluffs where the Trempealeau and Mississippi Rivers meet. Enjoy Brady's Bluff Natural Area and breathtaking river views in this park known for its natural, archaeological, and historical resources. Hike the 13 miles of trails that offer a variety of experiences and levels of difficulty. Make the effort to make two 500-foot climbs to the heights of Perrot State Park, and your reward will be views of the Mississippi River that are among the best in Wisconsin. There is direct access for bicyclists from the campground to the 24-mile Great River State Trail as well as excellent road biking in the area. There is a marked canoe trail in Trempealeau Bay and canoes can be rented at the park.

Trempealeau Lakes State Wildlife Area	Trempealeau, WI (715) 284-1400
This wildlife area is only 164 acres in size, but draws a nice variety of birds and wildlife. The Trempealeau Lakes, or Long Lakes are found by following Fremont Street south from the Mini-Mart on Hwy 35. Directly after crossing the railroad tracks, veer right to visit the lock & dam area, and continue straight ahead to visit the lakes. About 1.5 miles from the railroad crossing, the turn-off for the Lakes area is well-marked. This is also the landing for the Long Lakes Canoe Trail. The canoe trail is well marked and is about 4 miles in length and will take 3-4 hours to complete.

Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge	W28488 Refuge Rd Trempealeau, WI 54661 (608) 539-2311 Website
This 6,200 acre refuge lies within the Mississippi River flyway. The refuge’s rolling prairies, rich wetlands, and bottomland forests support a variety of wildlife species. Established in 1936 by President Theodore Franklin D. Roosevelt, the refuge is a breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife. Refuge and Visitor’s Lobby are open year round Monday through Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., closed Sundays and federal holidays. There are numerous interpretive hiking trails and a five-mile self-guided circle drive through the refuge that is convenient for autos and bikers. The Refuge has a recorded information hotline to inform visitors about current wildlife sightings and Refuge activities, (608) 539-2311 Extension 13.