Head to Trempealeau County in western Wisconsin this winter for outstanding outdoor adventures, whether you want to explore the hills and valleys of the state’s Driftless Region on your skis or snowshoes or zoom through the region on a snowmobile.
Here’s a sample weekend itinerary in Trempealeau County for snowmobilers and other trail users.
For snowmobilers
Trempealeau County has more than 250 miles of groomed snowmobile trails that connect to thousands of miles of secondary trails as well as trails in neighboring counties (including Eau Claire County to the north, Jackson County to the east, La Crosse County to the south, and Buffalo County to the west).
See an interactive snowmobile map for Trempealeau County here.
Day 1
If you’re exploring the northern part of Trempealeau County, there are lots of snowmobile trails to ride, including routes that connect Eleva, Strum, Osseo, Hale, Pigeon Falls, Whitehall and Independence. A popular route to explore in the northern part of the county is the Buffalo River State Trail, a 36-mile route that connects Mondovi in Buffalo county to the west and Fairchild in Eau Claire County and passes through Eleva, Strum, and Osseo in Trempealeau County.
At the end of the day, head to your lodging property in Osseo or Whitehall to unwind and relax.
Day 2
Take your second day to explore the southern part of Trempealeau County on your snowmobile. Well-groomed trails connect communities in the eastern part of the county like Blair and Ettrick to Arcadia to the west and Galesville and Trempealeau in the south.
The village of Trempealeau in southern Trempealeau County is also home to a significant portion of the Great River State Trail, which is open to snowmobiling in the winter. The Great River State Trail runs from the Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge south into Onalaska and La Crosse into La Crosse County. The scenic 24-mile route travels through prairies and backwaters of the Mississippi River Valley.
For cross-country skiers & snowshoers
Want to enjoy the Mississippi River Valley and Trempealeau County at a quieter pace? There are lots of serene spots to explore via cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and even winter hiking.
Day 1
Start in the southern part of the county and you’ll find two great areas for outdoor exploration, the Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge and Perrot State Park. The refuge’s hiking trails are open year-round, but it’s also home to several snowshoeing and cross-country ski trails that are open seasonally (but not groomed). Popular routes include the 3-mile Grand Tour, which follows the outer border of the refuge, and the 1.2-mile Rolling Dunes Dash, which begins at the parking area for the Prairie View Trail.
The village of Trempealeau has many great lodging options, including hotels, cabins, and more. Visitors can also find lodging in Galesville and Arcadia in southern Trempealeau County.
Day 2
Take time on your second day to explore Perrot State Park, located at the confluence of the Trempealeau and Mississippi Rivers amid soaring 500-foot bluffs. The park has 9 miles of trails that are groomed and tracked for cross-country skiing; skate skiing is allowed on a 1-mile section of trail in the campground. Note that skiers must have a state trail pass to use the groomed trails.
Snowshoeing and winter hiking are allowed on any trail not groomed for skiing, including the Black Walnut Nature Trail, Riverview Trail, Brady’s Bluff East and West Trails, and sections of the Perrot Ridge Trail. Snowshoes can be rented at the park headquarters.
Find more information about Perrot State Park’s winter trails here.
