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.

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.

Bird's eye view of the park

Mississippi National River & Recreation Area

Located within the Upper Mississippi River Valley between Minneapolis and St.
Paul. Project lands are located within the Corps of Engineers Nine Foot
Navigation Project. The Main channel provides excellent deep draft boating
opportunities and scenic views of the metropolitan riverfront. This pool is
within the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area corridor. There is
an observation platform for visitors to watch lock operations and see towboats
and barges up close. Authorized in 1930 to provide a 9-foot navigation channel
between Minneapolis - St. Paul, MN and St. Louis, MO, the Upper Mississippi
River Project offers extensive opportunities for water-based recreation,
ranging from backwater hunting and fishing to long-distance cruising in the
main channel. In the St. Paul District, the project flows through three
National Wildlife Refuges, the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area,
many State and local wildlife and recreation areas. Designated an American
Heritage River, it offers visitors many recreational opportunities, including
sightseeing along the river, visiting quaint river towns, viewing the wooded
bluffs along the river, and watching bald eagles soaring.

Located within the Upper Mississippi River Valley between Minneapolis and St. Paul.  Project lands are located within the Corps of Engineers Nine Foot Navigation Project.   The Main channel provides excellent deep draft boating   opportunities and scenic views of the metropolitan riverfront.  This pool is within the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area corridor.  There is an observation platform for visitors to watch lock operations and see towboats and barges up close. Authorized in 1930 to provide a 9-foot navigation channel between Minneapolis - St. Paul, MN and St. Louis, MO, the Upper Mississippi River Project offers extensive opportunities for water-based recreation, ranging from backwater hunting and fishing to long-distance cruising in the main channel.  In the St. Paul District, the project flows through three National Wildlife Refuges, the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, many State and local wildlife and recreation areas.  Designated an American Heritage River, it offers visitors many recreational opportunities, including sightseeing along the river, visiting quaint river towns, viewing the wooded bluffs along the river, and watching bald eagles soaring.

Mississippi River - Pool 1

Represents the head of navigation for the Corps of Engineers Nine Foot
Navigation Project and is located in downtown Minneapolis. The USAF Visitor
Center is located at the Upper Lock and is open to the public year around. The
Visitor Center provides an excellent view of the historic falls, the
Minneapolis skyline and the historic mill ruins along the banks of the river.
This area is within the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area.
Authorized in 1930 to provide a 9-foot navigation channel between Minneapolis
- St. Paul, MN and St. Louis, MO, the Upper Mississippi River Project offers
extensive opportunities for water-based recreation, ranging from backwater
hunting and fishing to long-distance cruising in the main channel. In the St.
Paul District, the project flows through three National Wildlife Refuges, the
Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, many State and local wildlife
and recreation areas. Designated an American Heritage River, it offers
visitors many recreational opportunities, including sightseeing along the
river, visiting quaint river towns, viewing the wooded bluffs along the river,
and watching bald eagles soaring.

Represents the head of navigation for the Corps of Engineers Nine Foot Navigation Project and is located in downtown Minneapolis.  The USAF Visitor Center is located at the Upper Lock and is open to the public year around.  The Visitor Center provides an excellent view of the historic falls, the Minneapolis skyline and the historic mill ruins along the banks of the river.  This area is within the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area. Authorized in 1930 to provide a 9-foot navigation channel between Minneapolis - St. Paul, MN and St. Louis, MO, the Upper Mississippi River Project offers extensive opportunities for water-based recreation, ranging from backwater hunting and fishing to long-distance cruising in the main channel.  In the St. Paul District, the project flows through three National Wildlife Refuges, the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, many State and local wildlife and recreation areas.  Designated an American Heritage River, it offers visitors many recreational opportunities, including sightseeing along the river, visiting quaint river towns, viewing the wooded bluffs along the river, and watching bald eagles soaring.

Mississippi River - St. Anthony Falls Pool

Minnesota Valley Wetland Management District, established in 1988, is a
14-county district located in the transition zone between northern tallgrass
prairie and eastern deciduous forest. The district manages more than 10,000
acres of land dedicated to wildlife and wildlife-dependent recreation,
including more than 30 waterfowl production areas and more than 50 easements.
Each of these relatively small areas – often only a couple of hundred acres –
is critically important to migrating, breeding and nesting waterfowl. They
also provide habitat for grassland birds, such as meadowlark and bobolink, and
a variety of mammals, reptiles, amphibians and other wildlife.

Waterfowl production areas were created by an amendment to the Federal Duck
Stamp Act in 1958. Scientists realized that these small pockets of habitat
were vital to breeding waterfowl. This amendment gave the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service permission to purchase small wetlands. Federal Duck Stamps
are a vital tool for wetland conservation. Ninety-eight cents out of every
dollar generated by the sales of Federal Duck Stamps goes directly to purchase
or lease wetland habitat for protection in the National Wildlife Refuge
System. Understandably, the Federal Duck Stamp Program has been called one of
the most successful conservation programs ever initiated and is a highly
effective way to conserve America’s natural resources.

Minnesota Valley Wetland Management District, established in 1988, is a 14-county district located in the transition zone between northern tallgrass prairie and eastern deciduous forest. The district manages more than 10,000 acres of land dedicated to wildlife and wildlife-dependent recreation, including more than 30 waterfowl production areas and more than 50 easements. Each of these relatively small areas – often only a couple of hundred acres – is critically important to migrating, breeding and nesting waterfowl. They also provide habitat for grassland birds, such as meadowlark and bobolink, and a variety of mammals, reptiles, amphibians and other wildlife.

Waterfowl production areas were created by an amendment to the Federal Duck Stamp Act in 1958. Scientists realized that these small pockets of habitat were vital to breeding waterfowl. This amendment gave the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service permission to purchase small wetlands. Federal Duck Stamps are a vital tool for wetland conservation. Ninety-eight cents out of every dollar generated by the sales of Federal Duck Stamps goes directly to purchase or lease wetland habitat for protection in the National Wildlife Refuge System. Understandably, the Federal Duck Stamp Program has been called one of the most successful conservation programs ever initiated and is a highly effective way to conserve America’s natural resources.

Minnesota Valley Wetland Management District

Established in 1976 by motivated residents, the refuge preserved wildlife
resources threatened by commercial and industrial development. Now, the refuge
enhances urban habitat while offering community programs, environmental
education and access to nature on the edge of the Twin Cities.

This refuge is part of a corridor of land and water stretching nearly 70 miles
along the Minnesota River, from Bloomington to Henderson, Minnesota. Comprised
of more than 14,000 acres, the refuge spans across both rural and urban
communities, and offers a variety of free outdoor recreational experiences for
individuals and families.

Established in 1976 by motivated residents, the refuge preserved wildlife resources threatened by commercial and industrial development. Now, the refuge enhances urban habitat while offering community programs, environmental education and access to nature on the edge of the Twin Cities.This refuge is part of a corridor of land and water stretching nearly 70 miles along the Minnesota River, from Bloomington to Henderson, Minnesota. Comprised of more than 14,000 acres, the refuge spans across both rural and urban communities, and offers a variety of free outdoor recreational experiences for individuals and families.

Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge

Located within the Upper Mississippi River Valley between St. Paul and
Hastings, MN. Project lands are located within the Corps of Engineers Nine
Foot Navigation Project. The Main channel provides excellent deep draft
boating opportunities and scenic views of the metropolitan riverfront. Pool 2
is within the Mississippi National River and Rrecreation Area corridor. There
is an observation platform for visitors to watch lock operations and see
towboats and barges up close. Authorized in 1930 to provide a 9-foot
navigation channel between Minneapolis - St. Paul, MN and St. Louis, MO, the
Upper Mississippi River Project offers extensive opportunities for water-based
recreation, ranging from backwater hunting and fishing to long-distance
cruising in the main channel. In the St. Paul District, the project flows
through three National Wildlife Refuges, the Mississippi National River and
Recreation Area, many State and local wildlife and recreation areas.
Designated an American Heritage River, it offers visitors many recreational
opportunities, including sightseeing along the river, visiting quaint river
towns, viewing the wooded bluffs along the river, and watching bald eagles
soaring.

Located within the Upper Mississippi River Valley between St. Paul and Hastings, MN.  Project lands are located within the Corps of Engineers Nine Foot Navigation Project.   The Main channel provides excellent deep draft boating opportunities and scenic views of the metropolitan riverfront.  Pool 2 is within the Mississippi National River and Rrecreation Area corridor.  There is an observation platform for visitors to watch lock operations and see towboats and barges up close. Authorized in 1930 to provide a 9-foot navigation channel between Minneapolis - St. Paul, MN and St. Louis, MO, the Upper Mississippi River Project offers extensive opportunities for water-based recreation, ranging from backwater hunting and fishing to long-distance cruising in the main channel.  In the St. Paul District, the project flows through three National Wildlife Refuges, the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, many State and local wildlife and recreation areas.  Designated an American Heritage River, it offers visitors many recreational opportunities, including sightseeing along the river, visiting quaint river towns, viewing the wooded bluffs along the river, and watching bald eagles soaring.

Mississippi National River & Recreation Area

Directions

Reviews

Nearby Parks

Mississippi River - Pool 1

Mississippi River - St. Anthony Falls Pool

Minnesota Valley Wetland Management District

Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge

Mississippi River - Pool 2