National River & Recreation Area

Mississippi National River & Recreation Area

Mississippi National River & Recreation Area is a National River & Recreation Area in Minnesota. The NPS currently lists 0 active alerts, 0 campgrounds and 1 visitor center, and no entrance fee.

Minnesota National River & Recreation Area No entrance fee

Updated Oct 28, 2026, 3:52 AM EDT · NPS Data API

Large canoes and crews paddle down the river amidst autumnal color. — Voyageur Canoes · Photo: NPS photo/Gordon Dietzman (via nps.gov)

About the park

“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.”

— National Park Service, nps.gov/miss

Active alerts

Closures

Campgrounds

Visitor centers

Current alerts and closures

The NPS listed no active alerts for this park in the Oct 28, 2026 snapshot. Conditions can change; check current conditions on nps.gov before you go.

Entrance fees and passes

This site has no entrance fee, according to NPS fee data.Parking or transportation fees may apply.

Things to do

A collage of different park rangers talking. — Photo: NPS/Kyle Just

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 wonderful world of birds, beers, mushrooms, geology and more within the park!

Year-round Pets allowed

First Person Interpretation

Planted prairie grasses on a summer day. — Photo: NPS/Kyle Just

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 restored prairie oak savannah and wetlands in this culturally and historically significant gem that is open year-round.

Year-round Pets allowed

Hiking

Lobby area with maps and desk. — Photo: NPS

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 history of the Mississippi River. This a great place to start your exploration of this important river!

5-60 Minutes Year-round

Museum Exhibits

See all 5 things to do in Mississippi →

Activities the NPS lists for Mississippi.

BikingMountain BikingRoad BikingBoatingCompass and GPSGeocachingFishingFreshwater FishingHikingFront-Country HikingHunting and GatheringHuntingLiving HistoryReenactmentsHistoric Weapons DemonstrationFirst Person InterpretationPaddlingCanoeingKayakingJunior Ranger ProgramSkiingCross-Country SkiingSnow PlayWildlife WatchingBirdwatchingMuseum Exhibits

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.

Mississippi National River and Recreation Area
Day	Hours
Monday	All Day
Tuesday	All Day
Wednesday	All Day
Thursday	All Day
Friday	All Day
Saturday	All Day
Sunday	All Day

Weather: Minnesota has a continental climate characterized by cold winters and warm summers. Spring brings moderate temperatures and low humidity.

Contact and directions

Phone: 651-293-0200
Email: [email protected]
Address: Mississippi River Visitor Center, Saint Paul, MN 55102
Coordinates: 44.9425, -93.0987· View on OpenStreetMap

Official park page on nps.gov Directions

Visitor centers

Campgrounds

No NPS campgrounds are listed for this site. Nearby national forests or state parks may offer camping.

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More parks in Minnesota

Grand Portage National Monument North Country National Scenic Trail Pipestone National Monument Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway Voyageurs National Park All in Minnesota

Nearest other NPS sites

Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway WI, MN
North Country National Scenic Trail MI, MN, ND, NY, OH, PA, VT, WI
Effigy Mounds National Monument IA
Pipestone National Monument MN
Apostle Islands National Lakeshore WI
Ice Age National Scenic Trail WI

Sources

Park details, alerts, fees and passes, visitor centers and campgrounds: National Park Service Data API, snapshot of Oct 28, 2026.
Official park page: https://www.nps.gov/miss/index.htm
Data: National Park Service (NPS) Data API, U.S. Department of the Interior (developer.nps.gov). This product uses the NPS Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the National Park Service. The National Park Service and the U.S. Department of the Interior do not endorse OpenParks. Photos are NPS images shown with their original credits; park descriptions are short excerpts credited to the NPS. Always confirm current conditions on nps.gov before you travel.