Mississippi National River & Recreation Area

National Park Service, Minnesota.

In the middle of a bustling urban setting, this 72 mile river park offers quiet stretches for fishing, boating and canoeing, birdwatching, bicycling, and hiking. And there are plenty of visitor centers and trails that highlight the fascinating human history of the Mississippi River. This a great place to start your exploration of this important river.

Nearby Activities

  • Biking
  • Boating
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Historic & Cultural Site
  • Hunting
  • Paddling
  • Wildlife Viewing

Directions

Limited metered street parking is available on nearby streets near park headquarters. Several parking ramps are available nearby including the Kellogg Square parking ramp. The Mississippi River Visitor Center is located in the lobby of the Science Museum of Minnesota (120 Kellogg Blvd West, St. Paul, MN).

Additional Information

  • Mississippi National River & Recreation Area Official Website
  • Mississippi National River & Recreation Area Map

Photo Gallery

  • Fall ColorsVibrant fall colors shown along the river in St. Paul, Minnesota.
  • Boating on the Mississippi RiverOur park rangers often use boats, bikes, and hikes to help visitors understand the historical and cultural significance of our park.
  • Voyageur CanoesThe park often uses big, safe Voyageur canoes in our programs.
  • Modern day Voyageurs Paddle the Mississippi RiverA Voyageur canoe makes headway up a river while surrounded by autumnal color.
  • Great Egret Fishes the Mississippi RiverWildlife is a common sight along the river.
  • Savanna at Coldwater SpringVisitors can glimpse the past in the Coldwater Spring savanna restoration.
  • Storms over Grey Cloud DunesStorm clouds begin gathering over Grey Cloud Dunes Scientific and Natural Area
  • Canoeing through Lotus BlossomsLotus beds bloom in the backwaters of the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area and provide canoeists an unexpected visual treat.
  • Water Source for a FortThe Spring House at Coldwater Spring provided water to Historic Fort Snelling and the Upper Post.
  • Canoeing the Vermillion River BackwatersThe Vermillion River Bottoms are a tangle of waterways where the river meets the Mississippi River.
  • Canoeing Past GullsCanoeists find a wide variety of wildlife in the backwaters of the Mississippi River.
  • Building a NestBlue herons are a common sight on the Mississippi River and its backwaters.
  • Clouds Over the Mississippi RiverThe upper stretch of the Mississippi River in the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area is often referred to as the "Prairie River" due to its gentle banks. Further downstream is the Mississippi River gorge and below that is the floodplain river

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