Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge

Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge (NWR)
Trempealeau, Trempealeau county (and southern Buffalo county), WI
6,446 acres; rolling sand prairie, restored prairie, wetland, bottomland forest, oak savanna, marsh

Park/Area Notes

Trempealeau NWR is near to but isolated from the Mississippi and Trempealeau rivers by dikes making it an ideal resting and feeding area for waterfowl and other birds. Various areas of the park offer opportunities to view Bald Eagles, Sandhill Cranes, Blandings Turtles, Black Terns, Osprey, American White Pelicans, North American River Otters, migrating waterfowl (including Tundra Swans), songbirds, and shorebirds as well as a variety of native wildflowers and prairie grasses.

Although we haven't experienced issues with nuisance insects during our visits, it is likely that biting flies, gnats, and mosquitoes may be present during certain times of the year. Official literature suggests bug spray. Many of the trails are clear/wide enough I wouldn't hesitate to hike them without tick precautions, but if one hopes to wade into wild plants/grasses for closer observations, I would expect tick precautions would be needed.

Prairie's Edge Tour Loop (aka Wildlife Drive)
There is a 4.5 mile loop (open year round) that is accessible to bikers, pedestrians and cars. Along this loop are a few walking trails of varying lengths. At the rivermost point of the loop is a parking lot with an observation deck and bathrooms. There is a boat/canoe launch which would provide access to the observing from the water. | Tour Loop Map and Self-Guided Tour (pdf) | Wider Refuge Trail Map (pdf)
Start of Tour Loop: 44°03'00.6"N 91°31'15.9"W | 44.050178, -91.521071 | Plus Code: 3F2H+3HF West Prairie, Wisconsin

River Bottoms Access | foot & bike traffic only
A small parking area (max about 5-7 cars?) just off WI-35/WI-54 sits at a trailhead for trails leading into the refuge. The trail along River Bottoms Road runs 1 mile one way. The trail along Oxbow Dike (from trailhead) is almost 1 mile one way. (trails don't loop - you travel out then back on same route). | Map (pdf)
The parking area is on the river side of WI-35/WI-54 just south/east of the intersection with Lipinski Ln.
Parking area : 44°04'07.7"N 91°35'49.9"W | 44.068797, -91.597190 | Plus Code: 3C93+G47 Bluff Siding, Wisconsin

Marshland Access | foot & bike traffic only
A paved lot (accommodating about 25-30 cars) serves as a trailhead for a trail that leads into the refuge and toward the Mississippi sidewaters ending at Delta Point (2 miles one way) as well as the Great River Trail which runs travels 1.3 miles SE till it meets the Wildlife Drive. NOTE: Although I don't believe there is a fee for riding bikes along most trails/roads in Trempealeau NWR, a permit is required to bike on the Great River Trail. (none required for hikers) More info on the State Trail at the link below. | Map (pdf)
The parking area is on the river side of WI-35/WI-54 just south/east of the intersection with CountyRd-P and the railroad tracks.
Parking area : 44°04'17.7"N 91°33'17.3"W | 44.071582, -91.554800 | Plus Code : 3CCW+J3P Marshland, Wisconsin

Visits

October 19, 2021
Having driven 2.5 hours to get to the Refuge, we made straight for the bathrooms near the observation deck on the Prairie's Edge Tour Loop. Once there, we had lunch in the car then headed out for a hike along Pine Creek Dike. It was hard to see much on the water due to sun bouncing off the water and backlighting everything. But we got some poorish photos of waterfowl, some of which were identifiable. We also saw the fall seedheads of a few new plants for us, some Bittersweet, a few Meadowhawk Dragonflies, Painted Turtles, and a Great Horned Owl feather.

Returning to the car, we drove the Loop twice, mostly enjoying the drive. We saw a few birds including some Rusty Blackbirds and a Pileated Woodpecker and a dead-in-the-road Garter Snake.

This is a long drive from home for us but it was an enjoyable trip down the Mississippi and the park is nice to drive through. In the future, we may want to try one of the other hiking areas.