Mississippi Gorge Regional Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mississippi GorgeRegional Park |
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| Mississippi River Gorge Regional Park | |
Bluffs of the Mississippi River from the Short Line Bridge looking north, 2005
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| Type | Regional park |
| Location | U.S. state of Minnesota |
| Area | 132 acres (53 ha) in Minneapolis |
| Elevation | 747 feet (228 m) |
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| Managed by |
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| Visitors | Gorge park total visits:
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| Open |
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| Camp sites | None |
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| Terrain | River gorge of the Mississippi |
| Designation | Mississippi National River and Recreation Area |
| Public transit access | MetroTransit buses |
| Website |
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The Mississippi Gorge Regional Park is a special park area located along the Mississippi River in Minneapolis and Saint Paul, Minnesota. It protects the beautiful and natural parts of the Mississippi River gorge. This gorge is the only true gorge along the entire 2,320-mile (3,730 km) length of the Mississippi River!
This park is managed by two different groups. In Minneapolis, it's called Mississippi Gorge Regional Park and is looked after by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. In Saint Paul, it's officially named Mississippi River Gorge Regional Park and is managed by the city's Park and Recreation Department. Together, these park areas are a popular spot for hiking and biking, offering amazing views of the river. In 2017, over 2.7 million people visited these parks!
Contents
How the Mississippi Gorge Was Formed
The Mississippi River gorge was created over thousands of years. It happened as the River Warren Falls, now known as Saint Anthony Falls, slowly moved upstream. Softer sandstone layers in the ground wore away, causing the harder limestone and shale above to collapse into the valley.
This part of the river in Minneapolis and Saint Paul is unique. It's the only gorge along the entire 2,320-mile (3,730 km) Mississippi River, with cliffs rising as high as 150 feet (46 m)! For a long time, the river here had many rapids. But in the early 1900s, locks and dams were built to make it easier for boats to travel.
Protecting the Gorge
In 1972, Minnesota Governor Wendell Anderson recognized the Mississippi corridor through the Twin Cities as a very important natural area. Later, in 1998, the United States Congress created the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area. This brought federal support and special protection to the gorge.
The land between the river's bluffs is managed as public park land by Minneapolis and Saint Paul. The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board manages the Minneapolis side, which includes 132-acre (53 ha) of land. Recently, park groups and local communities have worked together to make the gorge healthier. For example, in the late 1990s, an oak savanna (a type of grassland with scattered oak trees) was brought back to life. This helps visitors see what the area looked like long ago.
Exploring the Park Areas
The regional parks in Minneapolis and Saint Paul have many different historic sites and park sections along the gorge.
Minneapolis Park Sections
- Bluff Street Park: This 5.3-acre (2.1 ha) park has an upper and lower part. A trail connects downtown Minneapolis to the University of Minnesota.
- Bohemian Flats: This spot used to be a small village. Now it has picnic areas and places where you can catch river cruise boats.
- East River Flats Park: Located near the University of Minnesota, this park has grassy areas, picnic tables, and trails. It's also where the women's rowing team practices.
- East River Parkway: This 2-mile (3.2 km) path is great for walking and biking. It runs along the east side of the Mississippi River.
- Franklin Terrace Dog Park: A 1.37-acre (0.55 ha) fenced area where dogs can play off-leash. It's next to Riverside Park.
- Riverside Park: This 27.68-acre (11.20 ha) park has structures built a long time ago by the Works Progress Administration. It also has a playground and a wading pool.
- West River Parkway: This 7.24-mile (11.65 km) path is also for walking and biking. It runs along the west side of the Mississippi River.
Saint Paul Park Sections
- Meeker Island Lock and Dam: This historic dam site is at the bottom of the river valley. It has hiking trails and an off-leash dog park.
Park Visitors
The Mississippi Gorge park area is one of the most visited places in Minnesota each year. In 2017, the Minneapolis side of the park had 1,189,000 visits. The Saint Paul side had 1,545,300 visits. That's a lot of people enjoying the outdoors!
Fun Activities in the Gorge
Mississippi Gorge Regional Park is a fantastic place for hiking, watching birds, and taking photos. In the fall, the many sugar maple trees along the bluffs turn beautiful colors. The gorge is home to at least 150 types of birds that migrate through, and the number of bald eagles living there is growing!
Along both sides of the gorge, the East River and West River parkways are part of the Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway. These paths are paved and perfect for walking and cycling. They connect to a larger trail system. You can also find natural paths that lead down to the river for sightseeing and fishing. In winter, you can go snowshoeing and cross-country skiing on the park trails. However, mountain biking is not allowed on natural trails to protect the plants and prevent erosion.
On the west side of the river in Minneapolis, hikers can explore the Winchell Trail. This 2.5-mile (4.0 km) rustic path goes from Franklin Avenue to East 44th Street. It's a natural trail that takes you through a floodplain forest, sandy beaches, and an area where an oak savanna is being restored. There are also several limestone staircases built by the Works Progress Administration that lead from the West River Parkway down to the river level.
You can also explore the river and gorge by watercraft. The gorge is part of the Mississippi River State Water Trail. You can take a river cruise boat from Bohemian Flats during certain times of the year. The Minneapolis Rowing Club has a boathouse for serious rowers and beginners. You can launch canoes and kayaks from several spots in the gorge. The locks and dams at each end of the gorge are now closed to all boat traffic. This helps stop invasive carp species from spreading.
Images for kids
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Bluffs of the Mississippi River from the Short Line Bridge looking north, 2005
