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Trempealeau County
Attractions
Trempealeau
County is rich in history and natural beauty, with majestic bluffs
abundant waterways, soft rolling hills and lush green valleys,
scented by apple blossoms, clover and new-mown hay.
Where the Trempealeau
and Mississippi Rivers meet, Trempealeau Mountain rises 400 feet
above the waters; and bluffs jut out above the Great River Road,
overlooking the Mighty Mississippi, dotted with islands of warm
sand and seclusion. Here, on the West Coast of Wisconsin, spring-fed
waters flow, teeming with brook and rainbow trout; songbirds,
shorebirds and eagles fly; deer bed down in the forest; cows graze
peacefully on misty morning grass; golfers test the greens; anglers
test the waters; and, hunters test their skills. In spring, summer,
and fall, hikers, cyclists and horseback riders follow backroads
and trails along rivers and streams, through native prairies,
forested hills and verdant valleys; and, in winter, skiers and
snowmobilers explore the beauty of nature at rest along peaceful,
snowy woodland trails.
Most of Trempealeau
County's present day towns, villages and cities were settled and
organized by the late 1870's. The county's history is well-preserved
and reflected in its architectural treasures; historic 19th Century
commercial buildings, churches, pioneer homes and farm buildings,
Colonial and Victorian mansions, and a riverfront Restaurant,
Saloon and Hotel built in 1871, still serving guests in 19th Century
frontier style; no telephone, no television, and shared bath only.
Trempealeau County
also enjoys the unique distinction of being home to a flourishing
community of Amish families who live and farm as their ancestors
did in the 19th Century. Motorists in the Blair and Whitehall
areas are asked to be alert and courteous to their horse-drawn
buggies. The county's scenic Amish Country Drive allows visitors
to watch these highly productive farmers cultivate, seed, and
harvest the land with horse-powered implements, muscle-power and
methods that take us back to a less wasteful, less hurried and
peaceful time.
Bordered on the
south and southeast by the Black and Mississippi Rivers, with
the Trempealeau and Buffalo Rivers flowing inland, and countless
crystal-clear spring-fed streams running through its valleys,
and eight sizable inland lakes, Trempealeau County offers unlimited
water recreation opportunities. Its cold water streams contain
most species of trout, including large numbers of brook trout,
with catches of two-pound brooks more the rule than the exception.
The county's lakes
and rivers yield most types of warm water fish, including Mississippi
sturgeon, catfish, panfish, walleyes and northern. Most area waterways
are easily accessible from public boat ramps, marinas and resort
landings. In winter, Trempealeau County lakes yield abundant catches
through the ice. In summer, swim, ski, boat, tube, sail, kayak,
canoe, splash and wade the county's inland waters, camp overnight
on a Mississippi sandbar, cruise the main channel on a luxurious
riverboat, or paddle quietly through the slowmoving waters of
the intricate web of sloughs and islands teeming with wildlife
that make up the backwater "soul" of the mighty Mississippi.
About 30 percent
of the county's land area is covered by forests, including conifer,
red oak, northern and lowland hardwood forests; and, one of the
northern-most Tamarack groves in Wisconsin. These varied woodland
habitats support a wide range of wildlife including whitetail
deer, black bears, fox, coyotes, rabbits, squirrels, raccoons,
wild turkeys, grouse, pheasants, raptors, and songbirds. The county's
whitetail deer range extends over 410 square miles, more than
55% of the county's total land area, much of which is accessible
for public hunting in season. In fall, thousands of migrating
waterfowl draw hunters to try their skill on area lakes and shorelines.
Trempealeau County's
scenic drives, backroads, bikeways and multi-use trails provide
easy access to spectacular views of the countryside, close contact
with the area's abundant wildlife, the opportunity to examine
and travel over rare restored 19th century bridges, and visit
the peaceful Amish countryside. The county's well-maintained trails
and bikeways link The Great River State Bicycle Trail in the South
to the Buffalo River Trail in the North. Hikers, bikers, joggers,
cross-country skiers, snowshoers and snowmobilers can travel the
entire county, from town to town, river to forest, over mountainous
bluffs, through wooded valleys and gently rolling farmland; camp,
picnic, hunt, fish, harvest berries, pick apples and wildflowers,
photograph wildlife, rest and resupply along the way without ever
leaving the trail.
From internationally
acclaimed home-cooked meals in a diner/cafe rated #1 in Wisconsin
and the Midwest and, by Esquire Magazine as one of the nation's
ten best roadside cafes, to Norwegian smorgasbord, German bratwurst,
Italian, Mexican and frontier cooking, Trempealeau County's restaurants
offer hundreds of menu items, prepared to suit the most demanding
tastes. Whether it's dining under the stars on the Mississippi
River, around a campfire in the forest, in a romantic, historic
19th century country inn or riverside steakhouse, Trempealeau
County has the perfect setting for every meal.
At day's end,
Trempealeau County visitors will find a wide range of delightful
accommodations, including an historic frontier hotel, luxurious
Colonial and Victorian bread and breakfast inns, modern full-service
hotels and motels, camping resorts, housekeeping cottages, forested
campsites and dozens of islands and sandbars to choose from for
an unexcelled overnight mid-river camping experience.
A visit to Trempealeau
County will provide an unforgettable experience and lasting memories!
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Museums and Historical
Sites
Trempealeau
Historic District
Downtown Trempealeau
608-534-6780
In the Trempealeau Historical District visitors will find the
1871 Trempealeau Hotel, Restaurant and Saloon still standing and
serving travelers as it did in 1871. The area also features homes,
churches and other commercial buildings dating back to the late
19th century when this riverside town was a busy commercial center
and West Coast Wisconsin's gateway to the world.
SS. Peter and
Paul Church
Independence
715-985-3055
Built in 1896 by Polish Catholics, this beautiful Romanesque church,
constructed of brick, wood and stone is also finely decorated
in old world style inside.
Pigeon Creek
Evangelical Lutheran Church
Hwy. 121, Pigeon Falls
715-983-2214
Constructed in 1866, the Pigeon Creek Evangelical Church, located
on the east edge of the Village of Pigeon Falls on State Highway
121, is a beautiful small country-type church built to serve the
pioneering Norwegian immigrant community. Sitting proudly on
the hill on which it was built, the church continues to serve
the needs of the original congregation's descendants.
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Parks and Nature Centers
Upper Mississippi
National Wildlife Refuge
Mississippi
River, Onalaska
608-783-8405
With more than three million people annually who come to fish,
boat, hike, birdwatch, hunt, sightsee or just relax, the Upper
Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge is one of
the country's largest and most visited refuges! Established in
1924, the 200,000-acre, 260-mile-long Upper Mississippi refuge
features more than 265 bird species, 57 species of mammals, 35
species of reptiles and amphibians, and over 100 species of fish.
No wonder this refuge is a nature-lovers wonderland! Special attractions
along the La Crosse county shore of the river include boat and
canoe rentals, the Long Lake and Goose Island canoe trails, with
observation points at major pull-offs denoted by interpretive
refuge signs. Displays of refuge wildlife are found at the US
Fish and Wildlife Service visitors center, located at 555 Lester
Ave. in Onalaska. Open Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Perrot State
Park
Trempealeau
608-534-6409
Established in 1918 around the site of the trading post built
in 1685 by French fur trader and Indian agent, Nicholas Perrot,
this park encompasses many of the bluffs rising out of the Mississippi.
These bluffs, home to many plants and animals found only in this
unique environment, provide a beautiful classroom for thousands
of visitors every year. Perrot provides something for almost every
nature enthusiast, with 97 campsites (some electrical), numerous
picnic areas, overlooks, miles of trails and an interpretive Nature
Center. Visitors can hike to the bluff tops, cross country ski
through the ridges and valleys, fish along the Trempealeau River,
take a chance in the Mighty Mississippi, enjoy the spectacular
view from atop Brady's Bluff or just enjoy the park's 1/2 mile
interpretive nature trail.
Trempealeau
National Wildlife Refuge
Southwest of Centerville
608-539-2311
Experience one of Wisconsin's most enjoyable and best kept wildlife
secrets at the 5,617-acre Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge.
Located three miles southwest of Centerville, the refuge offers
a unique opportunity to view an unusual abundance and variety
of plants and animals. The Refuge includes a number of different
types of habitat, mostly wetlands, with sand prairie and bottomland
hardwood forests. Located in the Mississippi River migration corridor,
the Refuge is an important resting and feeding area for waterfowl
and other migrating birds. Spring and fall are the best time to
view these travelers in large numbers. Winter and summer also
bring large and changing populations of songbirds, raptors and
other seasonal residents. A five-mile Wildlife Drive acquaints
visitors with the diverse habitats and wildlife of the Refuge.
The best times for wildlife observation are early morning and
evening hours. Hikers can choose one of the interpretive trails
that highlight the unique features of the refuge and several miles
of dikes and service roads closed to public vehicles are also
open for hiking. Cycling is permitted only on established Refuge
roads. Part of the Great River State Bicycle Trail follows the
Wildlife Drive. Most of the Refuge waters are open to public fishing.
A boat-launching site with parking facilities is located near
Keip's Island. Only hand-powered craft and boats with electric
motors can be used in the Refuge. Bank fishing is also popular.
Bullheads dominate, but northern pike, pan-fish and yellow perch
are also found here. Ice fishing is also permitted in season.
Portions of the Refuge are open small game and deer hunting by
special permit. The entire refuge is open to snowshoeing and cross-country
skiing in season. Administered by the U.S. Department of Interior
Fish and Wildlife Service, Refuge Headquarters is open Monday
through Friday from 7:30 am. to 4:00 pm. throughout the year.
Long Lake Canoe
Trail
Long Lake
608-534-6780
The 4 1/2 mile Long Lake Canoe Trail winds through the Upper Mississippi
River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge. The slower moving water
and the intricate network of sloughs and islands is a haven for
wildlife. Moving quietly by canoe is one of the best ways to observe
the exceptional variety of migrating and nesting birds, reptiles,
amphibians and fur-bearing animals that flourish in the backwater
habitat.
Great River
State Bicycle Trail
Trempealeau County
608-534-6409
Take a trip through the backwaters of the Mighty Mississippi along
the 24-mile scenic corridor with spectacular views at every point
along the way. The trail provides recreation for bicycling, hiking,
jogging, and fishing. Portions of the trail are also open to hunting,
snow-mobiling and cross-country skiing. From Trempealeau, the
trail connects to more than 100 miles of Western Wisconsin's State
Bicycle Trail corridor, which includes the La Crosse River, Elroy-Sparta
and the "40011 State Trails to the south. The level, easy to
follow and well maintained trail offers convenient access to up-close
encounters with the inhabitants of nature's wonderland.
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Special
Things To Do
North
American Squirrel Association (nasa)
La Crosse
608-781-3100 (ask for Tony)
Formed in 2003, nasa
is a non-profit organization that grew out of a desire to
provide physically challenged and elderly members of our
community with outdoor opportunities such as hunting and
fishing. nasa has purchased a pontoon boat
that is freely available for the elderly and physically
challenged. Along with the pontoon boat, nasa
holds several fishing events and a fall hunting event each
year. nasa has also helped support a program
with Mt. La Crosse that will allow more children with
special needs learn how to ski.
Points of Interest
Lock and Dam
#6
Trempealeau
608-534-6780
The Lock and Dam #6, completed in 1936 at a cost of $5 million,
is an integral link in the upper Mississippi navigation system.
The Lock and Dam consist of main and auxiliary locks, five roller
gates, ten tainter gates, and an earthen dam extending to the
Minnesota shore. Over 2,000 small pleasure boats, from canoes
to cabin cruisers, and hundreds of river barges lock through this
Lock and Dam annually. The pool above the dam is ideal for all
forms of water recreation. Surrounding forests and plenty of fresh
water combine to produce a natural wildlife habitat for fish,
waterfowl and wild game. A look-out tower allows visitors to observe
the locks in action, boats rising and dropping with the water
level, and tow boats deftly maneuvering their gigantic barges
through the locks.
Scenic Amish
Drive
Blair/Whitehall
800-927-5339
Travel back in time along the Scenic Amish Drive when horsepower
was generated by oats and hay, light was generated by oil and
kerosene, children walked to school, family travels began by hitching
horses to buggies and sleighs, barns were built in a day and lasted
for lifetimes, and the music of nature and quiet voices filled
the peaceful country air. Along this drive visitors can observe
as farmers prepare their fields, seed, cultivate and harvest their
crops using natural horsepower, 19th century implements and organic
farming methods that produce rich and abundant yields. In summer,
entire families can be seen weeding in the fields. At harvest
time, entire communities congregate to reap and enjoy the bounty
of orchards and fields. Roadside stands offer freshly picked produce,
an art gallery offers works that capture the scene; sturdy barns,
ample homes, schoolhouses, meeting places and people encountered
along the way.
Memorial Park
Arcadia
608-323-2319
At Arcadia's Memorial Park, visitors will find "Soldiers
Walk", a sidewalk embedded with an historical record of prominent
local events and occurrences from first settlement to the present
day, and monuments commemorating each war and conflict at the
appropriate spot along the time line.
Scenic Tour
Trempealeau County
800-927-5339
Along the Scenic Trempealeau County Road Tour, travelers will
find a number of significant and historic buildings including
the Trempealeau Historical District, the Galesville Historic District,
Hardies Creek Church, an unusual Round Barn located near County
DD and State Hwy.54, French Creek Church, Tamarack Church, Fagernes
Church, SS. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Independence,
and Kings Valley Church. Along the route, visitors will find breathtaking
views from overlooks, ridgetops, passes and valley roads and pass
through picturesque towns, villages, hamlets, woods, marshes,
prairies and some of Wisconsin's most productive farmland.
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