National River & Recreation Area

Mississippi National River & Recreation Area

Midwest

Plan a Mississippi National River & Recreation Area trip

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.

From the National Park Service.

Region: Midwest
State: Minnesota
Designation: National River & Recreation Area
Entrance fee: None listed

Trail data for this park is still being added.
Places for this park are still being added.

Know before you go

Fees, hours, weather and getting to Mississippi National River & Recreation Area.

Entrance fees

The National Park Service lists no entrance fee for this park.

Hours

Mississippi National River and Recreation Area

Open 24 hours a day, every day.

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.

Weather and when to go

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 fall colors. Winter daytime highs are around 25°F (-3°C). Rarely, winter daytime high temperatures may not get above -10°F (-23°C), sometimes with strong winds.

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).

Directions from the National Park Service

Contact the park

Address: Mississippi River Visitor Center, 120 Kellogg Blvd West, Saint Paul, MN 55102
Phone: (651) 293-0200
Email: miss_info@nps.gov
Official site: nps.gov/miss

From the National Park Service, checked weekly. Fees, hours and road conditions change: confirm with the park before you go.

Trip planner

A day-by-day plan for Mississippi National River & Recreation Area

Tell us your dates and what you are into. We group the stops by where they are, so each day is one part of the park, not a zigzag.

Plan your park trip Free. No account needed.

Things to do in Mississippi National River & Recreation Area

The park service's own list, with how long each takes.

Visit the Mississippi River Visitor Center

Museum Exhibits · about 25 min

The Mississippi River Visitor Center provides fun activities for people of all ages as well as highlighting the fascinating human history of the Mississippi River. This a great pl…
Enjoy a Coffee with a Ranger!

First Person Interpretation · about 45 min

Start every Friday right with Coffee With a Ranger! Each week brings a different subject, and park ranger, exploring the wonderful world of birds, beers, mushrooms, geology and mo…
Go on a Day Hike at Coldwater Spring

Hiking · about 2 hours

Enjoy a nice day hike and many opportunities for wildlife viewing, photography, and reflection at Coldwater Spring! Trails surround a restored prairie oak savannah and wetlands in…
Kayak in the park with Paddle Share

Boating · about 45 min · Reservation required

Paddle the park with Paddle Share, self-serve kayak sharing system in the Twin Cities metro area that lets you rent a boat and paddle to a destination downriver!