Mississippi National River and Recreation Area - Plan Your Visit

Operating Hours Seasons

The NPS-staffed Mississippi River Visitor Center operating hours vary according to season and special event schedules. Please call the visitor center at (651) 293-0200 for operating hours.

Other visitor centers operated by state and local governments and private agencies can be found throughout the park. Operating hours of these facilities vary from season to season.

Getting There

Plane

The Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport is the hub airport for Northwest Airlines but is also served by other airlines including SunCountry, Delta, Frontier and others.

Car

Interstates 35 and 94 meet in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area. Locally, county and state highways as well as local streets all offer ways to get to the river for either a view from above or to a local park or visitor center.

Public Transportation

MetroTransit provides mass transit services throughout the metropolitan area. Bus service is especially convenient to locations and activities near the downtown areas of Minneapolis and St. Paul. MetroTransit also operates light rail service near the Mississippi River between the airport and downtown Minneapolis. Call 612-373-3333 to plan your trip to a particular destination within the Minneapolis/St. Paul metropolitan area.

Getting Around

If you are visiting the entire 72 mile length of the park, automobile is the most convenient. But for short hops, it is fun to bike, hike, canoe, kayak, use public transportation.

During the winter months, many bicycle and walking trails are transformed to cross country ski trails. Many local parks and commercial facilities rent skis and snowshoes for use within the area.