Mississippi National River & Recreation Area

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Large canoes and crews paddle down the river amidst autumnal color.
The park often uses big, safe Voyageur canoes in our programs.
Gray clouds over flowers growing on sand dunes.
Storm clouds begin gathering over Grey Cloud Dunes Scientific and Natural Area
A large canoe filled with paddlers on the river surrounded by autumnal color.
A Voyageur canoe makes headway up a river while surrounded by autumnal color.
A large, long-necked, long-legged bird wades in the river.
Wildlife is a common sight along the river.
Large trees are widely spaced in a grassland.
Visitors can glimpse the past in the Coldwater Spring savanna restoration.
A canoeist paddles through a water channel between islands.
The Vermillion River Bottoms are a tangle of waterways where the river meets the Mississippi River.
A canoeist reaches out and holds a large, yellow flower.
Lotus beds bloom in the backwaters of the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area and provide canoeists an unexpected visual treat.
Water tumbles down layers of rock with an old stone spring house in the background.
The Spring House at Coldwater Spring provided water to Historic Fort Snelling and the Upper Post.
A large, long-necked, long-legged bird flies overhead carrying a branch.
Blue herons are a common sight on the Mississippi River and its backwaters.
Photos: National Park Service

About Mississippi National River & Recreation Area

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.

Plan a Visit

NPS DesignationNational River & Recreation Area
Park State / Territory MembershipMinnesota
Current Alerts0
Visitor Centers1
Campgrounds0
Things To Do5

Core visitor information on this page is sourced from the National Park Service. NPD proximity sections use NPS reference coordinates and straight-line distance. Local source bundle updated Sep 27, 2026. View the official NPS page.

Weather & Conditions

Minnesota has a continental climate characterized by cold winters and warm summers. Spring brings moderate temperatures and low humidity. Summer days may reach temperatures of more than 100°F (38°C), but are usually pleasant with temperatures in the low to mid-80°F (25-30°C). Autumn brings dry, warm days, cool nights and gorgeous…

NPS Reference Location

Park state / territory membership: Minnesota. This map uses the National Park Service reference coordinate. It may represent an administrative or reference point rather than a park entrance, trailhead, visitor center, or the nearest access point. Use the official NPS directions below when planning travel.

Operating Hours

We are a partnership park that overlaps many parks (regional, city, state), other public lands, museums, and historical sites. Check with the specific park site you plan on visiting for their hours. See http://www.nps.gov/miss/planyourvisit/placestogo.htm for more information. The National Park Service does not control the visiting hours for the partner sites. Coldwater Spring (NPS) is open from 6:00 a.m. through 10:00 p.m., 365 days a year.

FridayAll Day
MondayAll Day
SaturdayAll Day
SundayAll Day
ThursdayAll Day
TuesdayAll Day
WednesdayAll Day

Activities

BikingMountain BikingRoad BikingBoatingCompass and GPSGeocachingFishingFreshwater FishingHikingFront-Country HikingHunting and GatheringHuntingLiving HistoryReenactmentsHistoric Weapons DemonstrationFirst Person Interpretation

Getting There

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).

View Official Directions

Contact & Address

The NPS-listed address may be an administrative office, visitor center, mailing/contact location, or other park facility rather than a park entrance.

NPS-Listed AddressMississippi River Visitor Center, 120 Kellogg Blvd West, Saint Paul, MN, 55102
Phone651-293-0200
Emailmiss_info@nps.gov

Topics & Themes

ArtsPhotographyDamsFortsIndustryMillsMusicTransportationDunesGroundwaterFreshwater SpringsGrasslandsPrairiesWaterfalls

Things To Do

Visit the Mississippi River Visitor Center

Visit the Mississippi River Visitor Center

The Mississippi River Visitor Center provides fun activities for people of all ages as well as highlighting the fascinating human…

Earn a Junior Ranger Badge

Earn a Junior Ranger Badge

Becoming a Junior Ranger means learning more about the history, resources, and communities within the 72 mile stretch of the…

Enjoy a Coffee with a Ranger!

Enjoy a Coffee with a Ranger!

Start every Friday right with Coffee With a Ranger! Each week brings a different subject, and park ranger, exploring the…

Go on a Day Hike at Coldwater Spring

Go on a Day Hike at Coldwater Spring

Enjoy a nice day hike and many opportunities for wildlife viewing, photography, and reflection at Coldwater Spring! Trails surround a…

Kayak in the park with Paddle Share

Kayak in the park with Paddle Share