Wisconsin's Village Between Madison And Minneapolis Is Full Of Scenic Trails And Drives

There are many ways to travel between Minneapolis and Madison, two great Midwestern cities. The most scenic routes follow the curves of the Mississippi River, and that's where you will find Trempealeau. The small town in Wisconsin could easily be overlooked, but if you slow down, you will find picturesque roads and quiet trails that are well worth extending your trip for.

Archeological evidence suggests that the Cahokia people once lived on this part of the eastern shore of the Mississippi River. Fur traders eventually arrived in the early 19th century. They were followed by settlers, who named the village Trempealeau, meaning "mountain in the water" in French, in 1852. Much of its land is, indeed, surrounded by water. Trempealeau sits on top of bluffs along the river. The rural town is now home to fewer than 2,000 people. The Trempealeau Hotel, a historic building, sits in the center of town. A large marina was built along the water, while parks, including a national wildlife refuge and a state park, line the river to the north. It certainly is peaceful here. No wonder Trempealeau is a great stop on a road trip.

Trempealeau lies about 130 miles southeast of Minneapolis, the largest city in Minnesota. Its Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) is a bustling Midwestern hub beloved by travelers. It is also an easy airport to fly into, since it receives nonstop flights from cities all over the world. Once you rent a car, your journey along the Mississippi River can begin.

The fastest way to reach Trempealeau from Minneapolis is to follow U.S. Route 61 down the Minnesota side of the Mississippi River. South of St. Paul, the scenic route is called Great River Road. Wisconsin has its own Great River Road on the opposite side of the river. This Wisconsin Scenic Byway, Highway 35, extends for 250 miles and links 33 towns along the river. There are plenty of scenic pull-offs along the way. Then, about two-and-a-half hours outside of Minneapolis, the Great River Road runs right through Trempealeau.

The Great River Road is not the only thoroughfare that hugs the Mississippi River in Trempealeau. So does the Great River State Trail. This rail trail, made of crushed limestone, was built on what was once a Chicago & North Western Railway line. It now connects three towns, crosses an old railroad trestle, and passes two national wildlife refuges. This popular trail is open all year. You can bike and run on it until the winter arrives, and then cross-country skiers and snowmobilers use it, too. Bikers will need to purchase a State Trail Pass from the Wisconsin State Park System ($5 per day) to use the Great River State Trail.

If you love the peacefulness along the Great River State Trail, you'll want to stay in Trempealeau to visit its parks. Perrot State Park ($16 per day for out-of-state vehicles) sits on tall bluffs where the Mississippi and Trempealeau Rivers converge, just north of town. It has a nature center, campsites, and picnic areas, as well as more than 12 miles of hiking trails. The 1.5-mile Perrot Ridge Trail climbs to the top of the ridge, while the 2.5-mile Riverview Trail sticks close to the water. Both trails have uninterrupted river views.

Just north of Perrot State Park you'll find Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge. Originally created in 1936 to protect a 706.9 acre area where migratory birds breed, it now contains more than 6,800 acres of hardwood forests, oak savannas, and wetlands. It also has something for everyone in terms of activities: Biking, birding, and fishing are all popular here. The Prairie's Edge Tour Loop, a 4.5-mile self-guided tour, leads to an observation deck, while more trails, many of which have views of Trempealeau Mountain, are open to hikers, skiers, and snowshoers. 

When you're ready to move on, the city of La Crosse, Wisconsin, is located south of Trempealeau. Its Grandad Bluff Park is a Midwestern park you've likely never heard of that holds rich history and more scenic trails. From there, you'll head inland to reach Madison. Wisconsin's capital is an underrated foodie destination to add to your Midwest bucket list. The timing is perfect: You probably worked up quite an appetite on Trempealeau's roads and trails.