Junior Rangers that participate in the Junior Ranger Day at the Visitor Center not only learn a lot, but get good stuff too!
The Stone Arch Bridge was built by James J. Hill in 1883 across the Mississippi River. The bridge now carries foot and bicycle traffic.
Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Boom Island is a great place for picnics and other summertime activities.
Picryl description: Public domain image of a waterfall, water stream, cascade, nature site, free to use, no copyright restrictions.
Public domain photograph of a city streets, cityscape, urban environment, buildings, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
The river in the northern part of the park is shallow in most places and quiet as much of the heavy traffic is further south closer to the Minneapolis/St.. Paul area.
Public domain image of an arch structure, bridge, historic place ruins, classical architecture, free to use, no copyright restrictions - Picryl description
Boating and canoeing provides a different and exciting perspective of both history and industry along this hard-working Mississippi River.
Monarchs are a common sight along the Mississippi River in our area, but their population trend is declining.
Picryl description: Public domain image of a boat in a harbor, water, fishing boat, free to use, no copyright restrictions.
Pileated woodpeckers are the largest woodpeckers in the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area.
Picryl description: Public domain image of a river or lake, forest, trees, water stream, free to use, no copyright restrictions.
Canoeing and kayaking are popular sports on the Mississippi River, but in certain stretches of this busy river paddlers need to be aware of barge traffic.
A park ranger (Dan Dressler) leads a bicycle convoy down a paved path along the Mississippi River. The Bike-with-a-Ranger program is a great way to learn about the Mississippi's natural and human history while More
Blanding's turtles are rare in the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, as they are in the rest of Minnesota.
A paddleboat emerges from under the Stone Arch Bridge and in front of the Mill Ruins Park in downtown Minneapolis.
Restoration continues at Coldwater Spring, but summer brings a riot of colorful flowers.
Winner: Mighty Mississippi category, Como Park Elementary, 5th grade student
The river forms the corridor of the park, but some parts of the corridor are heavily industrialized. River traffic in the form of barges and recreational craft intersect with railroads and other traffic in busy More
Winner, Caring for the River category, Pinewood Community School, 5th grade student
Black-eyed susans are a common species in our prairie restorations, but can also be found in prairie remnants in many places along the river.
The Mississippi River in the northern part of the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area is typically shallow and rocky.
Picryl description: Public domain image of a river, water stream, lake or pond, park or forest, natural landscape, free to use, no copyright restrictions.
Winner: Big River Journey category, Red Rock Elementary, 4th grade student
Picryl description: Public domain image of railroad tracks, railway, train car, free to use, no copyright restrictions.
Many trails run along both sides of the Mississippi River within the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area.
Fuzzy, golden Canada geese goslings spar in the green grass of late spring.
A perched red-winged blackbird shows off his red and yellow wing patches. They are one of the first migratory birds to return to the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area in the spring. Males arrive fi More
The Mississippi River at Coon Rapids Regional Park.
Winters can be harsh in Minnesota, but sunny days are welcome and beckon visitors to don their coats and boots for a hike along the snowy, forested landscapes of the Mississippi River.
The lower stretch of the Mississippi River through the twin cities of Minneapolis/St. Paul is often called the "floodplain river." Here the river widens and winds its way through backwaters and wooded islands p More
The Windego Park Auditorium was the center of civic life in the city of Anoka.
The picnic area at the Akin Riverside Park is a pleasant place to have a quiet meal and contemplate the history of the area.
The Mississippi River flows through floodplain forests in the southern part of the park. This photo was taken from the crest of the hills in the Pine Bend Bluff Scientific and Natural Area found within the boun More
Picryl description: Public domain image of an arch bridge, stone structure, architecture, free to use, no copyright restrictions.
Leopard frogs are susceptable, as many amphibians are, to contaminants in the water.
Canoe day-paddles in the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area are a popular activity.
This catalog page features a combination knife and fork that was designed for people who only had the use of a single arm.
The Mississippi River is generally calm in summer through this stretch of the river.
The Grey Cloud Dunes Scientific and Natural Area is located near the Spring Lake area. The Dunes consist of two natural sand benches located along the Mississippi River.
Mill Ruins Park and the Stone Arch Bridge today serve as an outdoor classroom as well as an outstanding walk through history.
A green frog at the edge of the Coldwater Spring reservoir.
Winner, Mighty Mississippi category, Como Park Elementary, 5th grade student Public domain photograph of air pollution, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Minnehaha Falls is a favorite destination of visitors and locals alike.
Coldwater Spring provides summer hiking and winter activities as well. Public domain photograph of river bank, water, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Pine Bend Bluff Scientific and Natural Area is located in the southern reaches of the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area.
The character of the southern part of the park contains much floodplain forests dominated by cottonwood and silver maple trees. In some places, such as in this photo, vast stands of wood nettle carpet the forest's floor.
Public domain photograph of National Park, nature, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Mallards are the most common duck in the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area.
Coldwater Spring is being restored to tallgrass prairie and savanna.
Canoeists paddle below a busy bridge in the heart of Minneapolis. Despite being in a large, busy metropolis many of the banks are lined with trees and often one is unaware of the close proximity of a major city.
Winner, Mighty Mississippi category, Red Rock Elementary, 4th grade student Public domain photograph related to US National Parks, Nature, conservation, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
The Winchell Trail is a foot path along the bluff which sometimes dips down below the bluff with informal trails that lead to the river. It is a great place to have a walk among the fall color.
This large floor graphic of a satellite photograph stretches across the floor of our visitor center. A popular activity is for kids (and adults) to find their homes (or homes and businesses).
Public domain photo of a monument, historic place, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Picryl description: Public domain image of a bridge over a water stream, free to use, no copyright restrictions.
Canoeing and boating are popular activities within the park. Canoes can often get paddlers back into shallow water areas while power boaters stay out in the channels and some of the deeper backwaters.
The Meeker Dam fell victim to the emerging technology of hydroelectric power. Shortly after Meeker was built Lock and Dam 1 was rebuilt downstream high enough to develop a power station there. Meeker was floode More
Minnehaha Falls Regional Park is located within the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area. It is a popular area within the park due to the falls located here.
Two canoes fastened together with cross members support four people driving a core sampler into a lake bottom to search for clues as to past vegetative cover.
Blue dasher dragonflies are common at the Coldwater Spring reservoir in mid-summer.
The exposed roots of the cottonwood trees in Hidden Falls Regional Park--within the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area--shows how durable these trees are and the erosive potential of moving water.
This down-river view is of the Mississippi River from the bluffs of Pine Bend Bluff Scientific and Natural Area.
Great blue herons are a common large wading bird found in spring and summer within the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area.
Spring Lake is a wide spot in the river south of the Twin Cities. High bluffs on the east side give spectacular views over the river.
Grand Prize Winner: Journey to the Falls category, Lake Harriet Community School, 6th grade student
Cottonwood and silver maple trees are the two predominant trees that grow along the river. Eagles prefer to nest in cottonwoods along the Mississippi River in our area.
The Upper Post is a part of the military reservation established in the early 1800s in what is now the Twin Cities.
This fox snake was captured during a BioBlitz at Crosby Farm Regional Park, within the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area.
The Mississippi River runs beneath the night sky and lighted skyline of St. Paul, Minnesota. The northern limit of navigation occurred here prior to the construction of lock and dam system.
Large lotus beds grow in the backwaters near Grey Cloud Island, but they can be found in other still waters in the park as well.
Picryl description: Public domain image of a world heritage landmark, natural or regular park, free to use, no copyright restrictions.
One of our Bike-with-a-Ranger programs takes participants past the site of Historic Fort Snelling.
One of our more interactive exhibits at the Visitor Center is to match up tracks with photos of the animals that make them.
Miles of dedicated bike trails line the Mississippi River through the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area.
A park ranger assists volunteers in preparing plant plugs before they are planted in a prairie restoration.
Boating on the Rum River past Akin Riverside Park.
A kayaker paddles down the tree-lined bank of the Vermillion River under blue skies.
Winter days are fresh and a great time to get out for a hike.
A diver holds up a rare mussel from a joint mussel survey conducted by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, and National Park Service. The survey was held in Pool 2 below More
A sunny day is a good day to spend some time along the river reading a good book or fishing....or both. Photographed just below the Ford Dam (Lock and Dam 1), a popular place for fishing.
The river in the vicinity of Fort Snelling State Park is a nice place for contemplation. Tows and barges add an occasional break from the quiet.
Historic Fort Snelling was constructed by U.S. soldiers in the early 1820s to extend U.S. control over the northwest. Constructing the fort at the confluence of the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers provided con More
Grey Cloud Dunes Scientific and Natural Area consists of sand dune terraces laid down by the Mississippi River during glacial times. It hosts an unusual assemblage of plants and wildlife.
Public domain image of wetland, water, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description