Large canoes and crews paddle down the river amidst autumnal color.

Mississippi National River & Recreation Area

National River & Recreation Area · Minnesota

NPS photo/Gordon Dietzman

📍 StateMinnesota
🏛️ TypeNational River & Recreation Area
🎟️ EntryFree
🏃 Activities26
Official NPS Website →

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.

Park Photos

Large canoes and crews paddle down the river amidst autumnal color.
Gray clouds over flowers growing on sand dunes.
A large canoe filled with paddlers on the river surrounded by autumnal color.
A large, long-necked, long-legged bird wades in the river.
Large trees are widely spaced in a grassland.
A canoeist paddles through a water channel between islands.

Activities

Operating Hours

Mississippi National River and Recreation Area

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.

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Coldwater Spring (NPS)

Coldwater Spring is open from 6 am to 10 pm daily, 365 days per year.

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6:00AM - 10:00PM6:00AM - 10:00PM6:00AM - 10:00PM6:00AM - 10:00PM6:00AM - 10:00PM6:00AM - 10:00PM6:00AM - 10:00PM

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to enter Mississippi National River & Recreation Area?

Mississippi National River & Recreation Area is free to enter.

What are the best activities at Mississippi National River & Recreation Area?

Popular activities at Mississippi National River & Recreation Area include: Biking, Mountain Biking, Road Biking, Boating, Compass and GPS, Geocaching, Fishing, Freshwater Fishing.

What is the weather like at Mississippi National River & Recreation Area?

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.

How do I get to Mississippi National River & Recreation Area?

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).

Entrance Fees

Free Admission

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 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.

Directions

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).

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Location

Coordinates44.9425, -93.0987

Official Resources

NPS Official Website