Mississippi National River and Recreation Area

This national park boasts a 72-mile stretch of the Mississippi River. This recreation area starts at Dayton/Ramsey in the north. Your journey ends southwest of Hastings. In between, the river goes through the heart of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Canoe, hike, fish, and bike along this waterway.

Canoeing the Great River Road lets you see Minnesota from a unique vantage point. Put in at the confluence of the Mississippi and Coon Rivers for a quiet, 12.7-mile float. This trip ends at the Coon Rapids Dam. Lion's Levee Park offers a picnic and grilling area in St. Paul. Pull out just past Grey Cloud Island near the Grey Cloud Trail.

Watch out for rapids, dam, locks, and barge traffic on the river. Some dams and locks require you to portage your canoe and carry it. Make sure you get an appropriate waterways map before setting out.

Minneapolis and St. Paul have many parks near the river with biking trails. Historic sites and state parks along the river also utilize bike trails. You can pick a short bike journey or put together a long one that follows the entire 72-mile length of the river. Fort Snelling and Hidden Falls are two excellent places for biking.

Nature walks and trails also occur in parkland spots. Again, the Twin Cities offer plenty in the way of hikes near the Mississippi. Grey Cloud Dunes and Coldwater Spring have short and long hikes. Look for otters and beavers near the water. Eagles and falcons rule the air.

Summer and fall are the best time to visit the Mississippi River in Minnesota. Fall foliage turns the banks of the river into a beautiful canvas of red, orange and yellow.