Mississippi National River & Recreation Area

Voyageur Canoes

The park often uses big, safe Voyageur canoes in our programs.

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.

Fall Colors

Vibrant fall colors shown along the river in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Boating on the Mississippi River

Our park rangers often use boats, bikes, and hikes to help visitors understand the historical and cultural significance of our park.

Modern day Voyageurs Paddle the Mississippi River

A Voyageur canoe makes headway up a river while surrounded by autumnal color.

Great Egret Fishes the Mississippi River

Wildlife is a common sight along the river.

Savanna at Coldwater Spring

Visitors can glimpse the past in the Coldwater Spring savanna restoration.

Storms over Grey Cloud Dunes

Storm clouds begin gathering over Grey Cloud Dunes Scientific and Natural Area

Canoeing through Lotus Blossoms

Lotus beds bloom in the backwaters of the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area and provide canoeists an unexpected visual treat.

Water Source for a Fort

The Spring House at Coldwater Spring provided water to Historic Fort Snelling and the Upper Post.

Canoeing the Vermillion River Backwaters

The Vermillion River Bottoms are a tangle of waterways where the river meets the Mississippi River.

Canoeing Past Gulls

Canoeists find a wide variety of wildlife in the backwaters of the Mississippi River.

Building a Nest

Blue herons are a common sight on the Mississippi River and its backwaters.

Clouds Over the Mississippi River

The 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

Campsite C-77

RecAreaDirections

Limited metered street parking is available on nearby streets near our headquarters. Several parking ramps are available nearby including the Kellogg Square parking ramp.

Visitor Centers are located in the lobby of the Science Museum of Minnesota (120 Kellogg Blvd East, St. Paul, MN) and at the Upper St. Anthony Lock and Dam (1 Portland Ave, Minneapolis, MN).

Open with Google Map

Misc

Stay Limit
Reservable	false
Keywords
Map Link
Contact Phone
Contact Email

Permits info

Facilities

Mississippi River Visitor Center Facility

Located in downtown St. Paul, in the lobby of the Science Museum of Minnesota, the Mississippi River Visitor Center serves as a gateway to adventure along the mighty Mississippi. Find interactive exhibits and get advice from park rangers as to things to do and places to go. Admission is free.

St. Anthony Falls Visitor Center Facility

The St. Anthony Falls Visitor Center is located at the Upper St. Anthony Lock in downtown Minneapolis. The Visitor Center is staffed seasonally in summers starting Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. After Labor Day, the Visitor Center is staffed Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through the month of September.

Recreation Areas and Campground Database