This Great American Heritage River originates in Minnesota and travels a monumental 2,320 miles across ten states to eventually reach the Gulf of Mexico in Louisiana. The Mississippi River has been at the center of American trade, civilization, and prosperity. It not only provides a vital source of fresh water to the region but is considered as one of the world's great water highways. The combined efforts of the US Army Corps of Engineers and several other government and not-for-profit organizations help in managing and protecting these vast river waters and the fragile ecosystems and habitats that rely on its nutrient-rich waters. The Mississippi River has changed a lot in the past century to advance navigation and reduce flood damage. However, the upper regions of the Mississippi River are still mostly remote and wild and make up what is known as the Upper Mississippi River Valley. The valley lies between Hastings, Minnesota, and Red Wing, MN. The Upper Mississippi River comprises a total of 1,300 miles of rapids, lakes, meandering rivers, and countless waterfalls. From Lake Itasca in northern Minnesota to the southern tip of Illinois, the Upper Mississippi River makes up but half of the length of this mighty river. The river also passes through several National Wildlife Refuges, including the Mississippi River National Wildlife & Fish Refuge, Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge, and Mark Twain National Wildlife Refuge, as well as many other state-owned and locally operated parks.
Mississippi River - Upper is a 1,300-mile waterway that runs parallel to the Great River Road. This beautiful highway takes its passengers along a scenic route through the winding valley of the Upper Mississippi and offers wide open roads and plenty of spots to refuel and catch a break in some truly mesmerizing locations. The road is generally well-maintained and offers little in the way of obstacles for getting to the park.
Mississippi River - Upper contains hundreds of campgrounds, state parks, and recreational areas to spend the day or night enjoying a multitude of different activities, facilities, and amenities. From campgrounds governed by the US Army Corps of Engineers to state-owned and even private recreational areas, can all be found dotted along the Great River Road.
From places like Itasca State Park (the northernmost point of the Upper Mississippi River) to Fort Defiance State Park, in Illinois, (its southernmost point) they are campgrounds available all along the way for tent and RV camping enthusiasts.
Itasca State Park boats a total of two large campgrounds; Pine Ridge campground and Bear Paw Campground. The two campgrounds are equipped with over 230 campsites, flush toilets, electric hook-up, picnic tables, fire pits, and much more. The RV campsites are also spacious and offer plenty of shade and privacy. Other camping and lodging options are also available at the picturesque and simply breathtaking Itasca State Park.
This State Park offers a basic campground, with some campsites having electric hookup services for RV campers. No showers or flush toilets at the campground make for a more primitive camping experience. It may not be luxurious, but it makes for a great place to camp if you are seeking for a more rugged outdoor experience.
The Mississippi River has always been the ultimate destination for freshwater angling enthusiasts seeking to catch large-size game fish. Anglers from around the world flock to these river waters in the hopes of catching rare freshwater monsters.
The Upper Mississippi River Valley is the region to be in if you fancy shore fishing and are interested in testing your angling skills on the 127 different fish species that are found in these waters. Fish species including Walleye, Sauger, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, White Bass, Bluegill, Crappie, Northern Pike and Catfish are abundant in these waters
Today, a series of lock and dams help commercial traffic navigate along the Upper Mississippi River from Minneapolis-St. Paul to the Ohio River, in Southern Illinois. A year-round nine-foot deep channel is maintained to allow for large commercial barges and even cruise liners to navigate to many regions of the upper midwest. The Upper Mississippi River is wilder and less calm as compared to the waters in the south. As a result, it creates a more diverse landscape that includes floodplain forests, wetlands, sloughs, streams, islands, and backwater marshes. This makes it ideal for boating enthusiasts who love kayaking and canoeing as a means to explore the surrounding wilderness or finding remote fishing spots. They are over 500 boat access points available for recreational boating all along the upper Mississippi River.
Certain Wildlife Management Areas and refuge lands operated by the state offer the opportunity to hunt for a variety of different game animals. From waterfowl to large mammals, hunting season in the upper regions of the Mississippi river brings hunters from all over the world who want to test their skills at duck hunting and other forms of game animals such as waterfowl, deer and other small mammals.
The Mississippi River is so much more than just another river. These river waters contain the source of life and help sustain not just us humans but a vast and diverse ecosystem that supports over fifty species of mammals, and almost 150 different species of reptiles and amphibians. The regions around the Upper Mississippi River also support numerous species of hardwoods and other types of flora that are simply magnificent to look at and admire.
There are countless hiking, biking, and equestrian trails to choose from if you fancy exploring this scenic wilderness by land. The numerous state parks, wildlife refuges, and recreational areas that exist on the upper Mississippi River offer an array of trails that vary in difficulty and length and take hikers on a journey they will not soon forget.
The Upper Mississippi River is a favored destination for birdwatching enthusiasts as the river acts as a migratory flyway for over sixty percent of all North American birds. Nearly 300 species of migratory birds fly past this vast river valley during spring and fall every year.
Exotic species that otherwise would be almost impossible to sight can be seen here in vast numbers, making it a haven for nature lovers everywhere. During the winter months, majestic bald eagles can be seen soaring above the snow-packed hills while massive flocks of tundra swans can also be sighted in certain locations along the Upper Mississippi River Valley.
