The Mighty Mississippi
Down by the River: Guide to the Mighty Mississippi
Did you know Saint Paul has more shoreline than any other city along the entire Mississippi River? Take advantage of all that riverfront with these activities.
![Saint paul skyline](https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/saint_paul_skyline.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=320&q=80&w=320&s=7f97a110158c9b78f415e006a60930fe 320w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/saint_paul_skyline.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=540&q=80&w=540&s=14cd57a041d0b69f873fc15396250d38 540w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/saint_paul_skyline.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=768&q=80&w=768&s=dea496fcddaa8e1dfc212af002e79bea 720w)
Harriet Island Regional Park Area
Raspberry Island Bandshell
Saint Paul’s last true island is home to the oldest athletic club in the state (Minnesota Boat Club, built in 1885), as well as numerous paths, a plaza and bandshell. Learn to row on the Mississippi River with classes offered at the club for various skillsets throughout the summer.
![](https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/raspberry-island-skyline-credit-visit-saint-paul-31-medium.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=22526b20937035db15377e4af40beefa 320w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/raspberry-island-skyline-credit-visit-saint-paul-31-medium.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=4e9122ed2bd5e7721edd74cbc414898b 540w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/raspberry-island-skyline-credit-visit-saint-paul-31-medium.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=2c25a820fa500232691699b0bbdc8764 768w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/raspberry-island-skyline-credit-visit-saint-paul-31-medium.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=6e2882547bec21c2a1e93377bd754eb2 1024w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/raspberry-island-skyline-credit-visit-saint-paul-31-medium.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=d8fda8a678257610efcf4df9770c86f4 1200w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/raspberry-island-skyline-credit-visit-saint-paul-31-medium.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=ea4222a17f329a2ca636095179bb68da 1280w)
Covington Inn Bed & Breakfast
You can’t stay any closer to the Mississippi River than the Covington Inn Bed & Breakfast. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the river from the glorious deck of this floating B&B before returning to one of four distinctly unique rooms for the evening. A delicious made-to-order breakfast awaits you in the morning.
Festivals & Events
Harriet Island is home to some of Saint Paul’s most popular events, including the Irish Fair (August) and various 5k runs.
![](https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/irish_fair_of_mn.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=ec3a6a1f57ad950245da8ca1643af977 320w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/irish_fair_of_mn.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=ded390f31e298a2b89d6098b55838acb 540w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/irish_fair_of_mn.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=6c5e2acd43f096763c785af2583e4da4 768w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/irish_fair_of_mn.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=657428f8966d16880bb956d05c88587a 1024w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/irish_fair_of_mn.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=cb8f86ad52a45820ebad26d464475508 1200w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/irish_fair_of_mn.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=b5fd3e1d67ddadeb5a11c9fb26f92c49 1280w)
Upper Landing Area
Upper and Lower Landing Parks
Enjoy gorgeous views of Harriet Island behind the Science Museum from Upper Landing Park. Play in the fountains or continue down the Samuel H. Morgan Regional Trail to Lower Landing where you can access an extensive network of biking and hiking trails.
Hidden Falls Park
The Falls
The park’s namesake proves that a waterfall doesn’t have to be big to be beautiful. The small, spring-fed falls tucked into the Mississippi River bluffs are absolutely worth exploring.
![Hidden falls](https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/hidden_falls.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=6e155234294909c44e4bf9e66c158445 320w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/hidden_falls.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=7574915bcbf153008ed0a76150b4462c 540w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/hidden_falls.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=e53aae070936f6af32f0fac103ddba04 768w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/hidden_falls.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=d6fdcc9c1f5c8c12d509f5439273f4ec 1024w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/hidden_falls.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=6988b7aa7224558b15dc6275bcbe6002 1061w)
Boat Launch
Make use of the Hidden Falls boat launch and explore the river on your own skiff. Spend the day on the water fishing or just cruise around, you’ll enjoy the gorgeous scenery either way.
Paddle Bridge
If you're looking for more than a river shuttle service, look no further. Paddle Bridge's guides take care of the details from start to finish to provide you with a context-rich, memorable paddling experience with all of the necessary equipment including kayaks, paddles and life preservers.
Paddle Share
The National Park Service-led kayak-rental service offers three-hour kayak rentals for one-person or tandem. The Paddle Share Saint Paul route starts at Hidden Falls and ends at Harriet Island.
![](https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/mn-adventure-co-9-medium.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=7a1f1342ea8e246fa22d10a88e1a3351 320w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/mn-adventure-co-9-medium.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=a0461756c0ac51395a7d39d9429cf1c4 540w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/mn-adventure-co-9-medium.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=209b7f0b36d3c91059b289459073af71 768w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/mn-adventure-co-9-medium.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=f3226b6cda57e4ce8cc4f7355571d100 1024w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/mn-adventure-co-9-medium.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=817b2bc144380578b34e853c220a584f 1200w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/mn-adventure-co-9-medium.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=5ed3972e15b0fd89dd82033c2028a737 1280w)
Fort Snelling
Fort Snelling State Park
A state park located at the intersection of the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers, Fort Snelling links Minnehaha Park and the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge through extensive hiking, biking and skiing trails.
![](https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/fort_snelling_state_park.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=baf4f623197d14d5709d6be2f3145d19 320w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/fort_snelling_state_park.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=ff8be28dd668ece912e4e0f5109f5bbb 540w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/fort_snelling_state_park.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=2d67fe8df21b08a261ad90d336b9f14e 768w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/fort_snelling_state_park.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=50601f026399f495435d2800a27dbe30 900w)
Pike Island
Hike the Pike Island Loop, a 4-mile trail around the island where the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers meet. Park near the visitor’s center, head east past the fort until you reach the footbridge to the island.
Historic Fort Snelling
After spending time by the water at the state park, hike up to Historic Fort Snelling. The Minnesota Historical Society operated site dates back to 1820 and features tours and reenactments.
Crosby Farm Regional Park
Crosby Farm Trail
Enjoy constant river views as you walk, run or bike along the Crosby Farm Trail. The 3.7-mile route will take you through Crosby Farm Park to Hidden Falls.
Bird Watching
At 736 acres, Crosby Farm is the largest natural park in the Saint Paul parks system—meaning there is plenty of wildlife to be encountered. Grab your binoculars and scope out the bird scene during the spring and fall migrations.
Everywhere Along the Mississippi
Fitness in the Parks
Get physical at free outdoor exercise classes, held throughout the summer at Saint Paul’s various parks. Check the schedule for riverside classes at Harriet Island and Raspberry Park.
If you’re still unsure where to start your Mississippi River adventure, stop into the river’s visitor center located in the Science Museum of Minnesota.
We’d love to see how you’re enjoying the Mighty Mississippi! Share your photos with us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter using the hashtag #MYSAINTPAUL.
More to Explore
Related Content:
Covington Inn
100 Harriet Island Rd, Suite B3 Pier One, Harriet Island Saint Paul, Minnesota 55107 (651) 292-1411 West Side Website > Find A Room
Irish Fair of Minnesota
Harriet Island Regional Park 200 Dr Justus Ohage Blvd Saint Paul, Minnesota 55107 Downtown Website >
Science Museum of Minnesota
120 W Kellogg Blvd Saint Paul, Minnesota 55102 (651) 221-9444 Downtown Website >
Lower Landing Park (Lambert’s Landing)
514 Shepard Rd Saint Paul, Minnesota 55102 (651) 293-0200 Lowertown Website >
Paddle Share
(833) 479-7737 Twin Cities Metro Area Website >
Historic Fort Snelling
200 Tower Ave, Fort Snelling History Center Saint Paul, Minnesota 55111 (612) 726-1171 West 7th Website >