Along the River in Minnesota
The Great River Road in Minnesota:
Minnesota is the headwaters state, and its Great River Road will take you through many unique landscapes. From the humble source of the Mississippi River in Itasca State Park you'll journey through miles of wilderness, then deep into the northern woods, through pine-studded lake country, and rolling farmland into the metropolitan Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, and on to the soaring bluffs and backwaters along the Minnesota-Wisconsin border into Iowa.
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Length: A whopping 575 miles
... the longest stretch in all 10 Mississippi river states.
State Scenic Byway: Yes
National Scenic Byway: Yes
National Scenic Byways
What Mississippi River experiences await along Minnesota's Great River Road:
Pilgrimage to the headwaters, leaping across the river at headwaters; hiking, camping, canoeing, fishing, biking, birding, sightseeing, locks & dams, antiquing, Native American history & activities, steamboat rides, major cities, quaint river towns, picnicking, historic sites, scenic drive.
Attractions and Events Along the River in Minnesota
Minnesota's Great River Road Interpretive Centers & Museums
State Parks along Minnesota's Great River Road:
- Lake Itasca State Park - Park Rapids
- Lake Bemidji State Park - Bemidji
- Henry J. Schoolcraft State Park - just south of Grand Rapids
- Savanna Portage State Park - just north of Aitkin
- Crow Wing State Park - just south of Brainerd
- Charles A. Lindbergh State Park - Little Falls
- Fort Snelling State Park - Minneapolis
- Frontenac State Park - Frontenac Station
- Great River Bluffs State Park - Winona
- Cuyuna Country State Park - Ironton
- Lake Maria State Park - Monticello
- John A. Latsch State Park - Winona
National Parks along Minnesota's Great River Road:
- National Mississippi River & Recreation Area
Did you know this is the only National Park along the Mississippi River?
Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife & Fish Refuge
Locks & Dams on the Minnesota Mississippi River:
- Upper St. Anthony Falls - Minneapolis
- Lower St. Anthony Falls - Minneapolis
- Lock & Dam #1 - Minneapolis
- Lock & Dam #2 - Hastings
- Lock & Dam #3 - Red Wing
- Lock & Dam #5 - Winona
- Lock & Dam # 7 - LaCrescent
Add these ideas to your byway journey:
- James J. Hill House - St. Paul
- Butler's Department Store & the Depot Museum - Aitkin
- Paul Bunyan & Babe the Blue Ox Statues - Bemidji
- Judy Garland's Childhood Home & Museum - Grand Rapids
- Native American Pow Wow - Red Lake Indian Reservation
- Performance at the brand new Guthrie Theater - Minneapolis
- University of Minnesota Campus - Minneapolis
- LeDuc House - Hastings
- Oliver J. Kelly Farm (National Grange History) - Elk River
- The State Capitol and grand St. Paul Cathedral - St. Paul
- Minnesota Twins Baseball or Vikings Football game - Minneapolis
Other Key Links:
Minnesota Great River Road Web Site (Order maps and more)
Minnesota Department of Transportation Travel Info
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Minnesota Historical Society Explore Minnesota Tourism
Mississippi River Trail (Biking)
Audubon Society - Minnesota Chapter (Birding)
Click here for Travel Information Beyond the River in Minnesota __________________________________________________________
See more Along the River Travel information in these Mississippi River states:
Wisconsin
Iowa
Illinois
Missouri
Kentucky
Tennessee
Arkansas
Mississippi
Louisiana
