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.

Quick Facts

State Minnesota
Designation National River & Recreation Area
State Code MN
Weather 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…

Location & Map

Mississippi National River & Recreation Area is located in Minnesota.

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.

Wednesday All Day
Monday All Day
Thursday All Day
Sunday All Day
Tuesday All Day
Friday All Day
Saturday All Day

Activities

Biking Mountain Biking Road Biking Boating Compass and GPS Geocaching Fishing Freshwater Fishing Hiking Front-Country Hiking Hunting and Gathering Hunting Living History Reenactments Historic Weapons Demonstration First Person Interpretation Paddling Canoeing Kayaking Junior Ranger Program Skiing Cross-Country Skiing Snow Play Wildlife Watching Birdwatching Museum Exhibits

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

Address Mississippi River Visitor Center, Saint Paul, MN, 55102
Phone 651-293-0200
Email miss_info@nps.gov

Topics & Themes

Arts Photography Dams Forts Industry Mills Music Transportation Dunes Groundwater Freshwater Springs Grasslands Prairies Waterfalls

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…

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…

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…

Kayak in the park with Paddle Share

Kayak in the park with Paddle Share

Paddle the park with Paddle Share, self-serve kayak sharing system in the Twin Cities metro area that lets you rent…

A kayak sharing system within the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area. Follow this link to watch instructional videos, see…

Visitor Centers

Mississippi River Visitor Center

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…

Hours: The visitor center contains interactive exhibits and a ranger station, where you can find interesting things to do and see, ask questions about the history of the area, and a plaza overlooking the Mississippi River. Metered parking is available on nearby streets and in the Science Museum's parking ramp for a fee. Call the visitor center to confirm our hours before your visit.

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