Perrot State Park is a state park

State park

State parks are parks or other protected areas managed at the federated state level within those nations which use "state" as a political subdivision. State parks are typically established by a state to preserve a location on account of its natural beauty, historic interest, or recreational...

 in Wisconsin

Wisconsin

Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...

's Driftless Area at the confluence of the Trempealeau

Trempealeau River

The Trempealeau River is a tributary of the Mississippi River, 55 mi long, in the Driftless Area of western Wisconsin in the United States.-Course:...

 and Mississippi River

Mississippi River

The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...

s. The 1270 acres (514 ha) park features spectacular views of steep limestone bluffs and the river valleys. It offers observation platforms for watching wildlife, especially the great variety of birds which inhabit or migrate through the park. Hiking trails and camping are available. Mountain bike trails penetrate deep inside the park.

The park protects Trempealeau Mountain, a cone-shaped mountain surrounded by water, which the Native Americans

Native Americans in the United States

Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...

 of the area considered sacred and used as a landmark for meetings. It also protects the site of one of the earliest encampments by European explorers in the upper Mississippi. The park is named for Nicolas Perrot

Nicolas Perrot

Nicolas Perrot , explorer, diplomat, and fur trader, was one of the first white men in the upper Mississippi Valley. Born in France, he came to New France around 1660 with Jesuits and had the opportunity to visit Indian tribes and learn their languages...

, a French explorer who was the first to write about the area.

External links

• Perrot State Park official website