Perrot State Park Trails

Perrot has trails for hiking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. It is adjacent to the 24-mile-long Great River State Trail, where you can bicycle or snowmobile as well as hike.

Take a hike up the bluffs for a spectacular view of the Mississippi River valley.
DNR Photo

Hiking

The park has 12.5 miles of hiking trails. Most of the trails take you up into the bluffs, where you can enjoy the scenic views of the river valley . These trails have steep climbs and some have steps or stairways. At the top of Brady’s Bluff and Perrot Ridge you will walk through native grasslands called goat prairies.

• East Brady’s Bluff Trail—.7 mile (30 minutes) from the Mounds Parking Lot to the top of the bluff.
• West Brady’s Bluff Trail—.5 mile (30 minutes) from the boat landing to the top of the bluff.
• North Brady’s Bluff Trail—1 mile (45 minutes) from park shop to the top of the bluff.
• Perrot Ridge Trail—1.5 miles (1.5 hours) from the Mounds Parking Lot to the top of bluff and back by way of the Perrot historical marker.
• Riverview Trail—2.5 miles (2 hours) from the campground to the south entrance to the park. If you want to get close views of the river, take the this trail. There are some steps, but no steep climbs.
• Black Walnut Nature Trail— .5 mile (30 minutes) is a self-guided interpretive trail loop south of the campground. If you want to know how Native Americans lived in this area, be sure to take this trail.

Cross-Country Skiing

When snow conditions permit, 9 miles of trail are groomed and tracked for cross-country skiing.

• Bay Trail—2 miles (3.2 kilometers), easy skiing from the nature center through the campground and back.
• Wilber's Trail—2.4 miles (3.8 kilometers), more difficult skiing east from the nature center, around a loop, and back.
• Prairie Trail—3.1 miles (4.1 kilometers), most difficult skiing in a loop from Wilber's Trail around Perrot Ridge.
• Cedar Glade Trail—5.0 miles (8.0 kilometers), most difficult skiing on a loop off the Prairie Trail.

Skate skiing is allowed only on a 1-mile section of trail in the campground. Each skier age 16 and older must have a state trail pass when the trails are groomed.

Winter Map [PDF, 183KB]

Hiking, snowshoeing, and pets are not allowed on groomed ski trails.

Snowshoeing

Snowshoeing is allowed on any trail that is not groomed for skiing. The Riverview Trail, Brady’s Bluff East and West trails, and sections of the Perrot Ridge Trail are open for snowshoeing and winter hiking. Snowshoes are available for rent at the Park Headquarters.

For more information, ask Perrot State Park, (608) 534-6409.