Sitting pretty right where the Mississippi and Trempealeau rivers meet, Perrot State Park is a true geographic wonder. This 1,270-acre park was once inhabited by the native tribes in the area, who conducted important meetings (amongst other things) atop Trempealeau Mountain. The “mountain” is truthfully considered more of a bluff, as it is cone-shaped and surrounded by water. Trempealeau Mountain, as well as Brady's Bluff Prairie are the two main natural areas that the state park protects. 

Another interesting factoid about this park is that it's located in Wisconsin's Driftless region. The Driftless region is characterized by the lack of glaciation that took place there during the last Ice Age. This makes it one of the few places in the world you can actually see that was left unaffected and uncarved by ancient glaciers. Luckily, the park's main attractions provide stunning views of the surrounding geography. 

As far as recreation, this park offers plenty. There are over 12 miles of hiking trails that are great for mountain biking as well. Many of the trails provide great viewpoints from which hikers can enjoy the beautiful view of the Mississippi River with. Right over on the Trempealeau River is a boat landing where visitors can take their own private canoe or rented kayak out for some time on the water. Fishing equipment is available at the park office, and anglers can enjoy a relaxing afternoon on the shore. 

During the winter, over nine miles of trails are groomed for cross country skiing, as well as snowshoeing and winter hiking. Visitors are urged to take caution as the rivers can be unpredictable and exposed to various ice conditions.

There are 2 campgrounds available for use at Perrot State Park. One is a family campground that features 102 campsites, 38 of them have electrical hookups. The other one features 4 walk-in campsites with water access. Both campgrounds offer easy access to trails and other attractions of the park.

Perrot State Park Campground

Perrot has it all: hiking, biking, paddling and camping and that makes it a popular place in the summer. It was totally booked the weekend I stayed here. Site 23E was not the best due to the location of the electric pedestal which was more set up for tent camping than an RV, but made it work, although it required an extension to the power cord. The electric power was also running low and the RV AC wouldn’t work. Fan only due to watts/volts varying. Site was also parallel to the campground road so there was road noise. There are much better sites in the 91E-95E section of tall pines!

Sites that were located on the water, were next to swampy, green algae type ponds. I can only imagine what the mosquitoes were like at those sites. Site pads are dirt and grass. Not easy to level. 

Now for the good! This area is beautiful. Awesome bluff views of the Trempealeau and Mississippi rivers and definitely worth the hike up for them. The Great River State Trail head is located in Perrot and this is a must do if you like cycling on the rails to trails. The ride into quaint Trempealeau is enjoyable and not too strenuous. Make sure to check out the ice cream place that is located in the old caboose. Kayak and canoe rentals are available in the park as well. This is a paddler’s paradise, just be ready for the current and follow the water trail. 

Also, a heads up: I was surprised that there is a daily vehicle pass required and this costs $8/day in addition to the usual camping fees.

Popular campground

Wonderful time in Perrot State Park.  Camped in the group campground, site A.  Plenty of room for many tents, and nice level ground to pitch tents on.  Huge fire ring for large group fires, and both a large grill on the fire ring, and freestanding charcoal grill.  Lots of options for hiking and walking in the park with more than 13 miles of trails.  We did a 5 mile hike up and over two of the more popular bluffs.  We also did a two-three hour canoe/kayak trip and had a blast.  

There is not a swimming beach at the park, so if you're into that, you'll have to leave the park, but there is more than enough to do at Perrot State Park.

Group Camping, Hiking, and Water Sports

Can't utilize the water unless you have a boat, kayak, etc but great campsites and some of my favorite hiking in Wisconsin. Beautiful and spacious views. 

Great Views, Strong Hiking

Great Camping and Hiking

This was a beautiful campground in the bluffs of the great Mississippi River. Awesome views of the surrounding area, nice private shaded campsites, and great for canoeing and kayaking. We rented canoes and went out to the river for some good fishing and putzing around. Such a pretty area.

Great views of and on the river

I loved camping at Perrot State Park for every reason except for the bugs. I went in August and I was absolutely covered in bug bites after one night. The facilities are well kept up and the rangers are super friendly. It does get busy peak season. The hiking is really great and the views of the river and bluffs are unlike any other site I’ve been to.

Great Hiking but Buggy

This Campground offered beautiful views of the Mississippi river Trempealeau bay, rock formations And most excellent hiking trails

Besutiful views!!

This campground has beautiful views along the Trempealeau river flowage and the Mississippi River. Campground is along the Trempealeau river, and has river views but not river access. There is no beach on site, which is a downer for families that want to play in the water. The hiking trails are very well marked.

The bathroom and shower facilities are great, and well kept which makes this a great family friendly place.

Picture perfect along the Mississippi River

There is a lot of hiking (the view from the bluffs are amazing) you can rent kayaks canoes etc. and they have a boat landing. No shore fishing or swimming which is disappointing.

The nonelectric sites were a bit small (compared to many state parks I have been too) -especially considering the gravel spot they leave for pop ups - not great to tent camp on and takes up most of the space that is safely far enough from the fire pit.

The bathrooms were decent but quite a hike (which stinks late at night) the showers were clean but I never used them.

However, the bugs and mosquitos were almost unbearable. We fogged the site daily, had thermacells, and coated ourselves in bug spray - still came home completely bit up and trying to play cards at night the constant hum of bugs was a bit much.

Great Campground if you could get rid of bugs

Located among driftless Wisconsin, Perrot SP is a great place to camp. The highlight of this park are the hiking trails created by the CCC. Brady’s Bluff is a must see trail that takes you to the top providing an amazing view of the Mississippi.

Beautiful Bluffs

This place is so peaceful. There is so much hiking and kayaking to do! I still haven’t explored it all. I can’t wait to go back! 

Amazingly beautiful 

Variety of sites - we had a very wooded one - semi private. The hiking is great - with wonderful views of the River - Also near Trempealeau and the old hotel, barge traffic, and the Great River Road - also the national wildlife refuge....

Nice park along the Mississippi

The group campground was perfect for our event. The sites are spacious and private and the fire rings are massive! We even had a white raven spend a fee days with us which was wild! The bathroom is not plumbed so be prepared to diy a sink and check with the park service about drinking water quality ahead of time. Try Brady’s Bluff hike for a challenging path full pf stairs and gorgeous views pr go a little slower with the black walnut path.

Love this place

We have a 30ft travel trailer and we had a tight fit into our campsite. But shady trees overhead and a nice fire pit. Best part about the campground are the trails! We had some stellar hikes, and there's kayaking nearby. 
Well maintained trails of increasing difficulty. Bring water!! We also saw lots of interesting wildlife, including a rattle snake at the top shelter.
Trempaleau is a cute little town with great food at the Hotel and a bike trail for some distance.
Like all state parks they are electric only. It took forever to fill our tank, so my only complaint was it took about 30 min per camper to get about 1/2 full with water. We used the pit and flush facilities. Skipped the showers and just went swimming instead.


Fabulous state park

Very nice area, camped in a tent at the end of September. Firewood had very easy access. The campground was a pretty large layout, but still easy to navigate.
Nice hiking spots with amazing views. Bugs weren't too terrible, I maybe had  two mosquito bites the whole 4 days, and that was before I put bug spray on.

Rentals for canoes and kayaks are available. Unfortunately, when I went the current was too strong. We could still rent one but they warned us that if we weren't able to make it through the current, that we wouldn't be able to get our money refunded.

There were signs posted that the drinking water cannot be boiled, nor can it be given to babies or elderly due to high nitrates. But we brought our own water anyways. 

Would Recommend

Camp sites were well spaced and private. Staff was busy but patient and helpful.

Beautiful fall colors

Camped here in May and pretty much had our choice of sites; we were able to find one with a water view. (The campground is located near the confluence of the Mississippi and Trempealeau Rivers). Bring your own water; notices were posted that the water was not safe for drinking and that it should not be boiled due to high levels of nitrates - I thought this may have been temporary but after reading other reviews, it seems to be all the time. No host on-site before Memorial Day. Great hike up Brady’s Bluff and the wildflowers were beautiful in the spring. Close to the town of Trempealeau with a few bars and restaurants.

Beautiful views!

A few years ago I only had booked a campsite here because I was attending Ashley for the Arts in Arcadia.. I had no knowledge of what this park had to offer until I arrived.

  

I continue coming back every year for Ashley for the Arts, but also because its gorgeous! The bluffs and the river make this place so great. Brady's Bluff is not necessary an easy hike, but the view afterwards is worth it. 

  

Campsites are nice and shaded and the canoe/ kayak rentals were very fun!

Simply Beautiful

Such a beautiful park! Love going hiking here whether we are camping or not. The hikes are a great work out and the reward is always a great view of the Mississippi!! Very dog friendly and the staff that worked the gate were great!

Beautiful! 

We stayed here last summer and it’s a great place to explore the region near the Mississippi River. Lots of amazing views, interactive signs and information that was perfect for our 4 year old. Close to the river and the town which was beautiful also!

Beautiful state park!

This park is about half full and so beautiful.  The bath house and  toilets are a bit old but in good condition.  It is  right on the Trempealeau Bay and Mississippi River.  There are trails for every level and biking all around.  There is a boat dock, and you can rent canoe or kayak.  There are both electric and non-electric sites and buddy sites.  There is a park store, not in the campground and a small self serve site for wood and ice in the campground.  The  Nature Center was not open when we  were here during the week following July 4th.  It is only open on weekends.  There is a  restored prairie which is very nice.  We stayed in site 95E and it was so quiet and in the woods.  Sites are well spaced and most are wooded.   A few 41,43, 45 and 47 overlook the bay.  Only 47 is electric.  Most sites are very level.   We use WeBost and were able to use Verizon and AT&amp;T, but signals are not strong.  So quiet, beautiful and relaxing, highly recommend this park.

Quiet Gem

We had a great time here at Perrot. The campground was busy but was still quiet and clean. Toilets/ showers were easily assemble. Ice and firewood available for sale at campground. Great hiking options that overlook the Mississippi  River and surrounding  countryside, hiking was a lot of uphill but the view was worth it. Dogs are welcome!

Perrot st. Park

We were set up on site 84.  We had a path through the woods from our site to the bathroom/shower that also had a water station.  Unfortunately we were told not to consume the water if it was boiled as the nitrate level was above normal.  They did have good water by the headquarters were we could fill our canteen.  The site was fairly flat and on higher ground.  Lots of space for at least 2 vehicle's and 2 tents.  The trails were endless with some good climbs to the top.  Fire ring was not very tall so fire size was slightly limited.  

Fall Camping

Only stayed one night passing through, but the mosquitoes were so horrible, I don’t think I could have stayed longer. (I’m sure it was the time of year.) 

It was beautiful though, and listening to the frogs at night was incredible! 

We also found Horseshoe Falls on a whim — check it out if you’re there!


Good overnight spot

Booked an electric site for our camper.  Overall was happy with the layout and amenities.  Lots of vegetation around the camp site that made it feel a bit more private but that also brought lots of bugs and mosquitoes.  Had to pull out the heavy duty spray right out of the car. Good size site with fire ring and table.  

The Saturday we were there they had a heritage camp set up to learn about how things were done in the past.  This park has good access for a kayak/canoe path.   

Campground with water activities

This park has become one of my favorite parks in the area.  Camping spots are large and private, the bathroom facilities and showers are clean, and the scenery and views are phenomenal.

The nice little town of trempealeau is close by with a cool old hotel and some fun bars.

Highly recommended.