Mississippi National River and Recreation Area - Bike with a Ranger (U.S. National Park Service)

This summer (2009) the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area will offer ranger-led rides every Saturday morning, June through September.

New for this year we are also offering rides on Thursdays, June through August.

All trips are from 10:00am--1:00pm and start promptly.
Routes are from 8-14 miles in length.
All routes are loops.
Participants receive a registration packet that includes bike safety information, what to bring, route map, weather preparation, parking information, and start location.
For additional information or to schedule a ride for an organized group, contact Ann Sarnecki at (651) 290-3030 x234.
Participation is free, but registration is required for Saturday rides. Registration is not required for Thursday rides, but will be limited to 20 participants on a first-come, first-served basis.
Call the Mississippi River Visitor Center at (651) 293-0200 for reservations.

Please check back soon for ride dates.

A Confluence of Space and Time
Meets at Crosby Farm Regional Park
Travel back in time to a unique place where the stories of human history and the natural world intertwine. This route circles the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers beginning at Crosby Farm Regional Park. The trip includes visits to the floodplain forest, the historic city of Mendota, Historic Fort Snelling, and Minnehaha waterfall.

On the Waterfront
Meets at Harriet Island
Ever wonder why we have the Twin Cities? St. Paul, Minneapolis, and the surrounding communities were built and settled because of the local features of the Mississippi River. This 14 mile trip starts at the Harriet Island Regional Park in downtown St. Paul and travels upriver to explore the history, geology, watersheds, and parks that connect us all to the Mississippi River.

Minneapolis
Meeting location and additional route information will be posted.

River at the Dam!
Meets at Coon Rapids Dam East
This trip explores the Mississippi above the nine foot navigation channel and offers a chance to see natural and cultural features of the river upstream of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. We will ride bike trails along the river and across the Coon Rapids dam while uncovering the rich history and natural resources of the Mississippi River from Coon Rapids Dam to Banfill Locke/Manomin Park. Bike rental available at Coon Rapids Dam East, 763-757-4700.