Romantic Perrot

I'd like to suggest different itineraries when visiting Perrot. Many visitors have become engaged, renewed vows, taken their wedding photos at Perrot. So this one's for those lover's of nature among other things.

Here's the Romance Package-



Get up early and take your  breakfast picnic and head over to the Trempealeau Wildlife Refuge, first stop at the wildlife observation deck to orient yourself to the variety of birds to look for, then head over to Kieps Island Dike for a morning walk and different view of Trempealeau Mountain. 

Stroll along the path and listen to all the birds cheering you on praising the new day.

(To get there-Exit the north entrance of Perrot, then take your first left on  Lehman Rd. and next left on West Prairie drive for about 2 miles, look on the left for refuge entrance.)

After you've soaked in all that fresh air continue your morning drive up the Great River Road (Hwy 35) up to Winona and share with your loved one some of the most beautiful works of art.

A visit to the Minnesota Marine Art Museum and you'll feel like you've stepped into the Louve,  Their inspiring collection includes art work by Monet, Cezanne, Picasso, Van Gogh, Degas, O'Keefe, Homer, Wyeth and many American Masters from the Hudson River School.

 (To get there turn left out of Trempealeau Wildlife Refuge continued on West Prairie until Hwy 35, take a left. follow signs to Winona, the first left off bridge and watch for Museum signs. Of course it is along the banks of the backwaters of the Mississippi.)

For a lovely light lunch stop at Elmaro Vineyard. Sit outside on the patio and take in the long distant view of Trempealeau Mountain over fields of grape vines while enjoying wine and tasty treats.

(To get there, its on the way back to Perrot. After following Hwy 35 south in Wisconsin , watch for Delaney Road, take a left and follow signs. You'll now be less than a mile from Wildlife Refuge and close to Perrot.)

 

After lunch it's time to go back to the campsite and prepare for a hike through Perrot. From the campground start with the an easy stroll along the Riverview Trail. Following along the banks of Trempealeau Bay.

This will lead you all the way to the Headquarters/ Visitor Center. There you can stop and fill up your water bottles, buy a souvienr T-Shirt or Hat and purchase one of the informative field guides to make you next hike up Brady's Bluff a learning experience.

Enter the trail head for East Brady's and prepare for one of the most beautiful views in the Park. Along the way watch for plant blooms on the unique "Goat Prairie" a Wisconsin State Natural Area".

You'll have a chance to relax at the top in the shelter and take in the view. Here's a perfect time for photos. Start down the West side of Brady's Bluff for a variety of stairs and steps ending in a lush fern gully.

Walk the road back to the campground and you can take a shortcut stroll through the prairie garden.


If you've planned ahead you may have gotten a reservation at sites 43, 44, or 45 which have the lovely views over Trempealeau Bay. They cost a little more say $3.00 but they are worth when you can have your campfire dinner overlooking Trempealeau Mountain with its feet it the Bay.


To wind up your night, take a starry night's stroll through the trail behind the campground. Enter around the Group sites and it will open up to another prairie garden on the edge of the park where the night sky opens up . Be sure to bring along a headlamp preferably with a red light to navigate in the dark.

Have a good night.