Mississippi National River & Recreation Area
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Mississippi National River & Recreation Area at a glance
- Best time
- April–May, September–October
- Trip length
- Half day–2 days
- Don't miss
- Go on a Day Hike at Coldwater Spring
- Nearby city
- Saint Paul, MN
Explore this park
About Mississippi National River & Recreation Area
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. This a great place to start your exploration of this important river.
Weather Information
Minnesota has a continental climate characterized by cold winters and warm summers.
- Spring
brings moderate temperatures and low humidity.
- Summer
days may reach temperatures of more than 100°F (38°C), but are usually pleasant with temperatures in the low to mid-80°F (25-30°C).
- Fall
brings dry, warm days, cool nights and gorgeous fall colors.
- Winter
daytime highs are around 25°F (-3°C).
Rarely, winter daytime high temperatures may not get above -10°F (-23°C), sometimes with strong winds.
Operating Hours
Mississippi National River and Recreation Area
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. See http://www.nps.gov/miss/planyourvisit/placestogo.htm for more information. The National Park Service does not control the visiting hours for the partner sites. Coldwater Spring (NPS) is open from 6:00 a.m. through 10:00 p.m., 365 days a year.
- MondayAll Day
- TuesdayAll Day
- WednesdayAll Day
- ThursdayAll Day
- FridayAll Day
- SaturdayAll Day
- SundayAll Day
Coldwater Spring (NPS)
Coldwater Spring is open from 6 am to 10 pm daily, 365 days per year.
- Monday6:00AM - 10:00PM
- Tuesday6:00AM - 10:00PM
- Wednesday6:00AM - 10:00PM
- Thursday6:00AM - 10:00PM
- Friday6:00AM - 10:00PM
- Saturday6:00AM - 10:00PM
- Sunday6:00AM - 10:00PM
Common questions
Planning Mississippi National River & Recreation Area
The summary above covers timing and highlights. These go deeper on reservations, crowds, and logistics — check Permits for live updates.
Mississippi National River & Recreation Area uses timed entry for Alexander Springs Recreation Area Vehicle Access Reservation. TrailVerse lists 1 reservation type on the Permits tab, including Alexander Springs Recreation Area Vehicle Access Reservation. Recreation.gov listings can change seasonally — confirm current rules before you set dates.
