Mississippi National River and Recreation Area

History

The Mississippi National River and Recreation Area was established in 1988 as a new unique type of national park known as a partnership park. Unlike traditional national parks, the National Park Service is not a major land owner and therefore does not manage the land use directly. But the National Park Service does have special authority over local, state, and federal actions in the boundaries that regulates land use management. It works in partnership with local, state, and federal governments, nonprofits, businesses, educational institutions, and people who own land along the river or have an interest in it to achieve the National Park Service's mission to protect and preserve for future generations. Some of the park's most prominent attractions are the St. Anthony Falls Historic District (including Mill City Museum, the Guthrie Theater, the Stone Arch Bridge, and Mill Ruins Park), Fort Snelling and the adjacent Fort Snelling State Park, Minnehaha Falls, and the Winchell Trail. There are many additional attractions, trails, and programs in the Minneapolis–St. Paul metropolitan area. The park spans Anoka, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, and Washington Counties, all within the Minneapolis–Saint Paul metropolitan area.

As of 2025, the area has one visitor center, inside the Science Museum of Minnesota in St. Paul, staffed by National Park Service rangers. Each year, the rangers manage community activities, including interpretive sessions, bike rides, and paddle trips, to educate the community about the area's natural and human history. In March 2025, the visitor center's lease was abruptly canceled, effective September 30, 2025, as part of government cost-saving efforts; it has since been extended.

Sections

The Mississippi National River and Recreation Area is between River Miles 879 and 806. The National Park Service categorizes it into five approximate sections:

1. The Wild and Scenic River (River Mile 879 to 863) — North of the Twin Cities the river is a state wild and scenic river, slowing as it reaches the Coon Rapids Dam. This segment begins at the confluence of Crow River and the Mississippi near Ramsey and Dayton and flows to Banfil Island at Brooklyn Park and Fridley.
2. The River of the Falls/The Urban River (River Mile 862 to 852) — From Brooklyn Center the river approaches several falls, beginning with Saint Anthony, and enters the historic Milling District near downtown Minneapolis.
3. The Gorge/Where the Rivers Meet (River Mile 852 to 843) — After the Milling District, the river enters the Mississippi gorge that extends past Fort Snelling State Park to its confluence with the Minnesota River.
4. The Working River (River Mile 840 to 833) — From near downtown Saint Paul, the river begins to feature towboats and barge traffic as it winds to the Pig's Eye Lake Scientific and Natural Area.
5. The Forested Floodplain (River Mile 833 to 806) — From South Saint Paul, the river widens further with numerous backwaters and the bluffs are higher. Past Hastings and toward the Vermillion River, the Mississippi becomes wilder again.

Places to visit

The park's website lists the following locations or features as partner sites.

References

References

1. {{cite gnis
2. {{NPS area. (2011)
3. ["Unknown"](https://irma.nps.gov/Stats/SSRSReports/Park%20Specific%20Reports/Annual%20Park%20Recreation%20Visitation%20(1904%20-%20Last%20Calendar%20Year).
4. National Park Service. "AICA Determinations - Mississippi National River & Recreation Area (U.S. National Park Service)".
5. Timmons, Bob. (2025-03-05). "Feds plan to terminate leases at Mississippi River recreation headquarters and visitor center in Minnesota".
6. (2020-11-19). "Mississippi River Companion - Mississippi National River and Recreation Area". U.S. [[National Park Service]].
7. National Park Service. (2011-02-16). "Mississippi National River and Recreation Area: Plan Your Visit". U.S. Department of the Interior.
8. National Park Service. "Mississippi River Companion". U.S. Department of the Interior.
9. (2021-12-18). "National River and Recreation Area Minnesota: Places To Go".
10. Empson, Donald. (2006). "The Street Where You Live: A Guide to the Place Names of St. Paul". University of Minnesota Press.
11. Smith, David C.. (2008). "Parks, Lakes, Trails and So Much More: An Overview of the Histories of MPRB Properties". Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board.
12. Coon Rapids Regional Dam Commission. (2011-02-28). "Coon Rapids Regional Dam Commission Report".
13. "Grey Cloud Island Township". Washington County Historical Society.
14. (January 1998). "A Guide to... Hidden Falls Regional Park". City of Saint Paul.
15. Furst, Randy. (1987-06-26). "Grand openings planned for two riverfront parks". Star Tribune.
16. (April 2007). "Hastings River Flats Restoration". Friends of the Mississippi River.
17. (August 2008). "History, nature intersect as St. Paul rediscovers an urban oasis". Friends of the Mississippi River.
18. Nelson, Tim. (2007-08-24). "River history reclaimed: A new St. Paul park makes accessible the remains of the historic Meeker Island Lock and Dam". Saint Paul Pioneer Press.
19. Jefferson, Jennifer. (2003-08-04). "New center celebrates Mississippi River: Science Museum facility opens to public Saturday". Saint Paul Pioneer Press.
20. "The Sibley House". Friends of the Sibley Historical Site.
21. Ferraro, Nick. (2010-06-21). "History sleuths search buried dirt for clues of ancient people in Dakota County". Saint Paul Pioneer Press.