U.S. Army Corps Of Engineers, Mississippi River - Pool 1 is located in the upper Mississippi River Valley between the city of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, Minnesota. Numerous tourist attractions, recreational sites, amenities and services are available to RV travelers visiting the area. The project provides a deep draft boating channel and allows navigation along the metropolitan section of the Mississippi riverway.
The pool, dam/lock, and lands immediately surrounding the site are part of the COE Nine Foot Navigation Project. Amenities available at the Lock and Dam #1 include an observation platform at Mississippi River Mile 847.9 that visitors can use to watch the operation of the lock that allows navigation of the river. There is a comfort station here providing useful amenities to observers and visitors to the site, and the observation deck and comfort station are open from dawn to dusk daily between April and November.
On the west bank of the Mississippi River, at Pool 1, the Minnehaha Regional Park and Wabun Picnic area provide a variety of recreational amenities with paved walking paths, a playground, picnic sites, and a dog park. The east bank is the location of Hidden Falls Regional Park, and the Fort Snelling State Park area lies to the south. These regional parks provide more recreational sites and hiking trails to explore the wildlife, natural beauty, and historical sites along the Mississippi River in the Pool 1 region. There is no overnight camping at the Mississippi River Pool 1. However, overnight camping for RV units is available less than an hour's drive away at William O'Brien State Park. Just over a ½ hour drive to the east, visitors to the Mississippi River can also access great backpacking and hiking trails, natural areas, and access to trails maintained for winter sports such as cross country skiing at Afton State Park. RV rentals to explore the natural and historic areas of this Minnesota area along the river can be found at Minneapolis RV Rentals.
The Pool 1 facilities on the Mississippi River are located at Lock and Dam #1, also known as the Ford Dam, 4 miles downstream of St Anthony Falls in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The city provides numerous tourist attractions, recreational opportunities, services and amenities for visitors to the region. Regional parks line the banks of the river on both sides of the COE project, and access to recreational amenities and parking can be reached in these areas.
The Corps of Engineers site and access to Pool #1 is via the West River Parkway which runs under the Ford bridge to the lock and dam area.
Overnight RV camping is available at William O'Brien State Park. The state park is just under a one hour drive from the Mississippi River Pool 1 Corps site. From Minnesota, take Interstate 35 E north of the city, then head east on Interstate 694, exit onto Route 36, and continue east to SR 15/Manning Avenue. Turn left to head north then turn right at SR 96/Delwood Road. At SR 95/St Croix Trail N go north. The visitor center, campgrounds, and park offices are on the west side of the road just past Marine on St Croix. The state park and campground accommodate RV units up to 60 feet in length with sites and parking on paved access roads.
During the winter icy road conditions in the area can make travel with RVs and tow vehicles especially hazardous. Use caution and leave plenty of room for stopping. Winter tires are an asset in inclement winter weather conditions.
Located between Lake Alice and the St Croix River, the Riverway Campground provides 60 sites accommodating RVs and trailers as long as 60 feet. The campground is heavily treed and has plenty of privacy and shade, as well as spacious open sites. Thirty-seven sites provide 30 amp electric services for RV campers to this campground which are reservable during the peak season between April and October. Locations include grills, fire pits, and picnic tables. Some sites are ADA accessible, and there are group campsites and cabin rentals available at the state park campgrounds. Amenities at Riverway include flush toilets and showers, vault toilets, and an RV dump station. Nearby amenities include a visitor/ interpretive center and a gift shop as well as a grocery store within 10 miles of the campground. The lake, river, floodplain and densely forested natural areas provide recreational activities and natural habitat for a variety of wildlife species.
The Savanna Campground is located to the west of the William O'Brien State Park visitors center in an open area and is available for RV and tent camping year around. There are 50 amp electric hookup sites for RVs here, and the sites can accommodate larger RVs and trailer units. Amenities include flush toilets, showers, and a dump station, however, these amenities are not available funding the winter months. Vault toilets are available all year and bathroom facilities at the visitor center are also accessible. The campground has 65 sites, 35 of which have 30 or 50 amp electric hook ups. Firewood, grills, hiking trails, and cabins that can be rented can be found at the campground. Pets are permitted, but must remain on a leash. The state park is located on the St Croix River and Alice Lake is also situated in the park, both provide nearby recreational opportunities. The area is forested with oak, hickory, and white pine, and there are marshes and prairie lands providing habitat for a variety of wildlife.
A boat launch can be found just below the lock and dam at Pool 1 on the east bank at Hidden Falls Park. Parking for vehicles with trailers is available there. Boats traveling up and down the Mississippi River can use the navigation system of locks to traverse the different pool areas as necessary. Recreational boating on the river is popular for sightseeing and fishing.
Be sure to have life preservers for all passengers and observe rules and regulations carefully. Use caution around the lock and dam structures and obey directions.
A state of Minnesota fishing license is required for fishing on the Mississippi River in the Pool 1 region. You can fish from watercraft on the river or from the shoreline. To the north, the Mississippi River provides excellent smallmouth bass populations for anglers to try their luck with. The river also has walleye and northern pike, and occasionally muskellunge, although they are much rarer. The DNR does not stock the river, and populations are naturally occurring.
Picnic sites with tables, grills, and reservable group shelters are located in the picnic areas and regional parks on the west bank of the Mississippi River near Pool 1. Hidden Falls Park on the east side also offers open areas at the river's edge that provide excellent picnic spots for an outdoor meal where bluffs and trees provide natural shelter. Amenities like restrooms, play facilities, paved parking, and paved walking trails are available for park goers on the west bank at Pool 1 to use. Pack up a meal and enjoy a riverside feast at the regional parks adjacent to the Pool 1 COE site.
Off-road cycling enthusiasts will find a section of the Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway running along this section of the Mississippi River. The Mississippi Gorge leg of the cycling trail extends from the Franklin Bridge to the Fort Parkway Bridge. The regional parks on both sides of the river in the area also provide off-road trails for cyclists and there is a continuous loop which crossed the river at the Franklin Avenue Bridge and Ford Parkway Bridge that is eight miles in length.
The trail tends to follow the water on the top of bluffs that extend along the river. Side trails extend into the regional parks and to Minnehaha Falls. Autumn colors make a beautiful backdrop for cycling in the river valley. Wear a helmet for safety when cycling on maintained and off-road trails in the region.
Paved walking trails wind through the regional parks on both sides of the lock and dam at Pool 1 and make for enjoyable strolls while visiting the area. More hiking trails can be found up and down the Mississippi River to the north and south. The Fort Snelling State Park just south of Pool 1 has several trailheads with hikes for various ability levels. Extensive backpacking trails are available just a ½ hour drive away at Afton State Park to the east, for those looking for a real challenge while visiting the region. Fall colors make hiking in the region particularly attractive.
During the winter, snow-covered hiking trails become excellent cross country ski trails. Afton State Park has an extensive trail system that is groomed and maintained for cross country skiers with tracks. The trail system is well mapped and signed with easy, intermediate, and expert sections.
There are also ungroomed multi-use trails in the park for winter hiking, snowshoeing, and cross country skiing. Glide through the river valley or the state park on cross country skis to enjoy the snow-covered beauty of the natural areas in the region.
