The mighty Mississippi River is the second-longest river in the United States. This tumultuous river rises in Minnesota and travels all the way south, flowing into the Gulf of Mexico. The river splits the east and west bank of New Orleans and is ranked third in the world when it comes to its drainage area, which is a staggering 1,250,000 square miles.
Situated in the upper half of the Mississippi River, in Guttenburg, Iowa, lies Mississippi River - Pool 10. Pool 10 extends for more than 30 miles between Guttenburg and Lynxville and offers some of the best fishing and outdoor recreational activities in the region. Lock and dam 10 has been in operation since 1937 thanks to the efforts of the US Army Corps of Engineers who helped tame this tenacious and destructive river.
Pool 10 features a diverse and fragile ecosystem that is sustained in part by the river waters and rich fertile vegetation present near the river banks. The efforts of the US Army Corps of Engineers and Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge have helped preserve the land and marine wildlife offering a truly wonderful place to escape and enjoy the great outdoors.
Pool 10, in particular, is most famous for its rich fishing grounds thanks to its unique topography. The 30 odd miles of water contain islands, side channels, backwaters, limestone bluffs, and plenty of vegetation that makes for a truly diverse aquatic habitat. Pool 10 is also located at the junction where the Upper Iowa River joins the Mississippi. This stretch of water alone contains 119 recorded fish species making it a truly sought after destination for fishing enthusiasts.
A nine-foot navigation channel also allows for a ton of water recreational activities from long-distance cruising to taking your kayaks and rowboats out on the shallower backwaters.
Mississippi River is located in Guttenburg, IA, just five blocks away from State Highway 52. Pool 10 is located on mile 615 of this mighty river. Getting to Pool 10 is fairly straightforward but getting to the most ideal camping location can be a bit trickier.
The closest campground offering RV camping is Miners Creek Hideaway Campground and RV Park. The campground is located on the south edge of Guttenburg at Miner’s Creek Rd. The road to the campground is tarmac and wide enough for large-sized RVs and motorhomes.
The closest campground to Mississippi River - Pool 10 is Miner’s Creek Hideaway Campground and RV park. This beautiful campground is tucked away by the foothills and overlooks the Mississippi River at the south end of Guttenburg. The campground offers more than 50 RV campsites with electric, sewage and water hookups, clean and well-maintained washroom and showers, as well as four cabins and a park model home to accommodate and facilitate guests. The campground is also ADA accessible and has a picturesque stream that runs through the campground providing guests with spring-fed cold water. Picnic tables, gas grills, and fire rings are also available on each campsite.
By far the most popular activity at Mississippi River Pool 10 is fishing. Anglers from all around the world visit this location as unlike other pools on the Mississippi. this one doesn’t contain vast open water but rather is made up of a series of rivers, creeks, channels, and backwaters that make for spectacular fishing spots.
The waters here are teeming with over a hundred species of fish including large-sized walleye, sauger, small and largemouth bass, catfish, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, blue sucker, shorthead redhorse, and bigmouth buffalo. The waters also contain ancient freshwater fish species including paddlefish, lake sturgeons, and the elusive shovelnose sturgeon. Anglers can either toss a line from the shore or take to the waters for the best fishing experience.
Boating on Mississippi River - Pool 10 is just as exciting. The shallow channel waters and backwaters make for some thrilling kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding opportunities while the main channel allows you to take out your motorboats and even partake in the many long and short cruise ship tours available that allow for sightseeing and relaxing while floating on the river's muddy waters.
Biking enthusiasts will love visiting Mississippi River - Pool 10. The town of Guttenburg is big on biking and has a thriving mountain and urban biking culture. Bikers can enjoy riding by the Mississippi River, stopping at quaint river-side towns and exploring the surrounding wooded bluff areas for wildlife. Plenty of trails run around this region, some of which are on soft-surface while the majority are hard-surface tracks making biking possible for people of all ages.
There is nothing like a quintessential river-side picnic, on a hot sunny day, enjoying time with family and friends. The town of Guttenburg and surrounding villages make for some truly fantastic picnic destinations where you can spend the day relaxing by the water's edge or partaking in the many recreational activities it has to offer. Miner’s Creek Campground offers picnic tables, gas grills, and fire rings for those looking to spend some quality time outdoors.
The Mississippi River is home to plenty of wildlife which can be enjoyed and observed in full at the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife & Fish Refuge. The refuge and surrounding areas on the Upper Mississippi are home to bald eagles, deer, squirrels and unique species of flora that are simply too pretty to pass by.
The river is also a short-term home for many migrating bird species including tundra swans that flock to these waters in large numbers. An observation platform near the dam also allows visitors to watch lock operations and marvel at the towboats and barges working tirelessly to ensure smooth navigation through the channel.
They are just so many things that are worth capturing on film at Mississippi River - Pool 10. From taking snaps of your most prized catches to capturing mesmerizing images of the surrounding landscape Pool 10 is a photographer's dream location. From urban towns to vast regions of wilderness, this part of the Mississippi offers visitors the best of both worlds and makes it a great destination for exploration and nature photography.
