Great River Road – MN
Details
- Designation info All-American Road ( 2000/2021 )
- Intrinsic Qualities Historic, Scenic
- Location AR, IL, IA, KY, LA, MN, MS, MO, TN, WI
- Length 565 of 3292.5 total miles
Overview
The Great River Road follows the Mississippi River from Lake Itasca in Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico. The Mississippi River, the second longest river in America, begins as a trickle at Lake Itasca headwaters and grows and strength as it travels south to create state lines for 10 states. The byway lines both sides of the river in Arkansas, Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.
The river was important for settlement of the western United States as goods were shipped north. Logs, from northern forests, were shipped downstream to be cut into lumber for new settlements. The Mississippi River is teeming with history and culture as riverboats moved people up and down the river and gave travelers the opportunity to enjoy its music, like the blues in Tennessee, or the Cajun and Creole culture from New Orleans’ French Quarter, and Louisiana’s cooking, jazz, and blues.
The Mississippi offers a variety of recreational opportunities. Limestone cliffs line the river allowing for overlooks to see Mississippi’s splendid panoramas, or to enjoy the wildlife that calls the Mississippi River home, or to watch boats and barges as they navigate the Lock and Dam systems. Waterfalls, forests, prairies, and communities of every size dot the Great River Road. Be sure to allow time to enjoy its parks, beaches, museums, music, and food.
-
Minnesota Mississippi River Parkway Commission
Story of the Byway
Travel writer William Least Heat Moon's library contains over 2,000 travel books. Of those about rivers, most are all or partially about the Mississippi. He asks readers "consider all the reasons you can come up with" for why this is so, but concludes, "still you must face the inevitable: The Mississippi has an encompassing mystique no other American river exerts ..." It is this "encompassing mystique" that compels people from around the world to explore the Great River.
Nowhere along its 2,552-mile course does the Mississippi River's scenic landscape change more than in Minnesota. The Great River Road follows the river as it matures through seven distinct landscapes, each with a unique mystique and its only waterfall.
Walking across the headwaters at Lake Itasca is an international bucket-list item. It is a place like no other. Itasca State Park's interpretation and features engage travelers with hands-on history surrounded by stunning scenic views at the river's cradle.
The Mississippi seems reluctant to leave its birthplace among ancient pines and pristine lakes. After percolating from Lake Itasca, it follows a serpentine course to Brainerd, frequently twisting back on itself, leaving cut-off lands and oxbows. Contributing to the mystique is an ongoing blend of natural and human history. Humans have lived along the river here for nearly 10,000 years, and indigenous communities retain traditional lifestyles along it today. And as anyone who has canoed or kayaked this reach will tell you, every twist and turn creates a new scenic view.
The Mississippi's headwaters include thousands of lakes. The largest contributor to a reservoir system the Corps of Engineers created over 100 years ago. The river dams and reservoirs are historically significant as part of the first national reservoir system in the United States. The resulting Lakes and Reservoirs scenery generate lasting memories.
At Brainerd, the Mississippi straightens and becomes wider. More islands appear, but you see little floodplains and no large or backwater lakes. This is the Prairie River, where the prairie runs up to the river's banks, some rising 40 to 60 feet, providing views of a maturing river. Two national Great River Road Interpretive Centers showcase prairie-life history next to the Mississippi in this reach.
No place anchors the Mississippi River's significance in the Twin Cities like St. Anthony Falls or matches its national and international significance. Geologically, it is the Mississippi's only major waterfall. Historically, a who's who of natives, Europeans, and Americans explored it. Economically, it's the birthplace of saw and flour milling industries that became the dominant producers of their commodities in the world. Technologically, the falls generated the first commercial hydroelectric central plant in America. Scenically, it has drawn renowned painters capturing the fall's grandeur since before it was capped, and today remains a magnet for artists.
The Gorge is only 8.5 miles long, running from St. Anthony Falls to the mouth of the Minnesota River. Here, the Mississippi plunges 110 feet between bluffs one-quarter to one-third mile apart and 60 to 100 feet high. This is the only place where the river falls so quickly over such a short distance and through such a tight canyon. The three locks and dams of the Gorge are nationally significant, as is the Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway.
The Big River begins at the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers extending 34 miles to Hastings. Fort Snelling, a National Historic Landmark, overlooks the confluence, known as B'dote to Dakota people, each a contrasting feature of this scenic setting. Here the broad valley and wide floodplain offer many side channels, backwater lakes, wetlands, and wooded islands with scenic vistas and intimate encounters with a seemingly primeval world.
During the last ice age, glaciers bulldozed the Midwest's landscape but left the Driftless Area alone. Water and wind have been eroding and incising the Driftless Area for far longer than the surrounding lands, creating a unique and nationally significant landscape. From early explorers to modern travel writers, many have tried to capture that landscape's scenic power. Locks and Dams 3 through 8 lie in this reach and are listed on the National Register as nationally significant. Historic river towns are worthy stops along the way.
Driving Directions
The 565-mile Minnesota Great River Road National Scenic Byway/All-American Road is designated along a cornucopia of state and local roads. The route begins at Itasca State Park near the source of the Mississippi River and continues through six unique destination areas and eight scenic reaches to the Iowa border. Detailed mapping and driving directions are available at www.mnmississippiriver.com. Online mapping and navigation in the Plan Your Trip tool. While on the road, follow the green and white Pilot's Wheel signs.
Points of Interest
-
Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center
Located within Minnesota's historic first state park, Itasca State Park. Lake Itasca is the birthplace of the Mississippi River.
-
Forest History Center
Learn how Minnesota forests played a significant role in the building of America at the Forest History Center.
-
Itasca County Historical Society
The Itasca County Historical Society, most specifically “The River Room” exhibit, tells the stories of a town and area shaped over time by the Mississippi River and with a continued connection to the river.
-
Charles Lindbergh House & Museum
Tour Charles Lindbergh’s boyhood home, now a National Historic Landmark, and explore interactive exhibits at the visitor center, including a “Spirit of St. Louis” flight simulator.
-
Oliver Kelley Farm
Home to the founder of the first successful national farming organization, the site features a 189-acre living history farm with restored building, demonstration gardens and a visitor center.
-
Mill City Museum
History of the flour industry told through interactive exhibits in the rebuilt ruins of an old mill.The Mill City Museum has rooftop views of the Mississippi River and the surrounding city.
-
Historic Fort Snellling
Learn stories of the military fort and its surrounding area, home to a broad history that includes Native peoples, soldiers and veterans, enslaved people and the changing landscape. Visit the Many Voices, Many Stories, One Place Exhibit located in the Visitor Center in the restored 1904 Cavalry Barracks.
-
Minnesota History Center
Located in a spectacular multi-storied modern building, the Minnesota History Center offers an interactive museum with changing and on-going exhibits from a collection of over two million items as well as the Minnesota Historical Society’s research library and extensive archives.
-
Science Museum of Minnesota
Located inside the fun and educational Science Museum of Minnesota, the Mississippi River Gallery showcases the interaction between the Mississippi River and the lives of the people who depend on it for their life and livelihood. Hop aboard the Charles E. Towboat, a Mississippi River towboat, or challenge yourself with the River Pilot Simulator.
-
Mississippi River Visitor Center
Located in downtown St. Paul, just off the lobby of the Science Museum of Minnesota, the Mississippi River Visitor Center serves as a gateway to adventure along the mighty Mississippi. The visitor center has free admission, but the Science Museum of Minnesota charges an adimission fee to visit their exbibit areas and the theater.
-
National Eagle Center
The National Eagle Center offers a landmark interpretive center to learn more about our national bird. Climb into an eagle’s nest, test your strength against an eagle’s, and learn how they soar. Meet live bald and golden eagle “ambassadors” in daily programs and at special events, and learn all about eagle biology, ecology, and cultural connections on two floors of interactive exhibits.
-
Minnesota Marine Art Museum
From contemporary exhibitions to historic works of art, MMAM engages visitors and the community with great art inspired by water.
-
Winona County History Center
Located in historic downtown Winona in a 1915 castellated Romanesque National Guard armory, the Winona County History Center offers exhibits that examine life in Winona from the roles of laborer to lumber baron. In addition, the museum houses a superb collection of Native Americana. Explore a cave or riverboat pilot house or check out “Main Street” with carriages and wagons, shops, and even the robbery-proof Security State Bank from the days of Bonnie and Clyde.
Itinerary
-
The Mississippi Headwaters
A "Get Outdoors" itinerary is available for download at https://www.mnmississippiriver.com/order-maps/.
Start your journey in Itasca State Park, Minnesota’s oldest state park. Walk across the mighty Mississippi as it starts its winding journey 2,552 miles to the Gulf of Mexico. Step back in time at Preacher's Grove, the Itasca Indian Cemetery, and Wegmann's Cabin, landmarks of centuries gone by. Explore Wilderness Drive past the 2,000-acre Wilderness Sanctuary, one of Minnesota's seven National Natural Landmarks. Take the time to walk across the headwaters, where it is only 18 feet wide and knee deep. Stop by the Mary Gibbs Interpretive Center and Douglas Lodge before you leave the park.
Continue to the city of Bemidji, the first city of the Mississippi River. It is the birthplace of legendary Paul Bunyan and his faithful companion Babe the Blue Ox. From pow wows to Sankta Lucia Festivals, Native American and Scandinavian cultures are woven together into a fine tapestry through Bemidji’s well told history and a flourishing art community. In addition to the Mississippi River, Bemidji is surrounded by forests, lakes and streams; a perfect place to bike, hike, ski, paddle and swim. And fashionistas love Bemidji as a perfect place to buy anything in red and black plaid. Before you turn in for the night, walk along Bemidji’s Sculpture Walk, which is on display year round.
Update this byway information today!