Experience peaceful trails within sight of downtown and secluded paths along sandy river flats. Saint Paul is home to more miles of Mississippi River than any other municipality along the entire length of river. The city is working to transform its riverfront parks and natural areas into a seamless network of river parks.
Upriver of downtown Saint Paulare the calm and quiet backwaters and floodplain forests of Lilydale and Crosby Farm Regional Parks. Along the southwest bank is a peaceful connection between the Big Rivers Regional Trail and Harriet Island Regional Park. On the northeast bank youleave the seclusion and sandy river shores of CrosbyFarm as you head east along the bluffs, descending to the river again as you approach downtown Saint Paul.
Attractions
The Samuel H. Morgan Regional Trail begins in this segment and takes you into downtown Saint Paul, passing historic sights like the Island Station Power Plant that was built in the 1920s and the 6-story St. Paul Municipal Grain Elevator, built in 1931. Crosby Farm Regional Park boasts a marina and plentiful trails. You can find an historic pavilion and paddleboat tours at Harriet Island Regional Park.
Brick kiln ruins at Lilydale-Harriet Island Regional Park. Catastrophic fires burned in many local communities in the late 1800s and interest in brick construction, seen as less susceptible to fire, became an important local industry.
Did You Know?
Sixty percent of all grain exported from the United States is transported and shipped from the Mississippi River.