What is the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area Trail Guide?
The trail guide is a new publication developed for the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area to guide nature enthusiasts through the area's beautiful parks. The National Park Service's guide to the trails within the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area is now available for the entire 72-mile Mississippi National River and Recreation Area corridor. The Guide focuses on twelve regional trails that follow the Mississippi River from the Crow and Rum Rivers to the Vermillion River Area.

Where can I get my copy of the Trail Guide?
The Guide is free, thanks to contributions from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, the Saint Paul Riverfront Corporation, Dakota County Parks, the Trust for Public Land, and the Parks and Trails Council of Minnesota. You can receive a printed copy in the mail by calling the National Park Service at (651) 290-4160.

What areas are covered by the Trail Guide?
The twelve segments covered on the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area Trail Guide are the Crow and Rum Rivers, Coon Rapids Dam Reach, Regional Park Loop, Downtown Minneapolis, Mississippi Gorge, the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers Confluence, Downtown Saint Paul and the West Side, Battle Creek Regional Park, South St. Paul Riverfront Trail, I-494 Bridge through Spring Lake, Lower Spring Lake to Hastings and the Vermillion River Section. The trail guide also includes maps, scenic photographs and brief overviews of each segment, recommended trail routes, area history, interesting destinations, directions, and sources of additional information.

How can I learn more about development and resource protection efforts along the Mississippi River?
If you would like to learn more about the efforts of the Trails and Open Space Partnership, a group of public and private agencies cooperating to achieve the vision of a continuous trail and open space system along the river, call the National Park Service at (651) 290-3030 ext. 225.

Some additional recreational websites currently available (and listed in the Guide):
St. Paul Classic Bike Tour
Minnesota Water Trails
Minnesota State Trails
Minnesota State Parks
Great River Road
Wilderness Inquiry -- Accessible Outdoor Trips
Metropolitan Council

For questions or more information, call (651) 290-3030 ext. 225.