Mississippi River "At a Glance" |
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| Scenery | Bottomland forests in recommended section |
| Best time | May-September |
| Wilderness | Some areas have near wilderness quality |
| Water Flow | Nearly always adequate from Grand Rapids |
| Water Quality | Good |
| Campsites | Primitive, some designated; can be difficult to find |
| Hazards | No rapids; see below |
| Logistics | Frequent access; DIY shuttle |
| Trip Length | 123 recommended; over 400 available |
| Recommendation | Nice float stream; most noted for its geographic significance |
Hard to believe we're standing on the bank of the "Father of Waters"
(at Grand Rapids, Minnesota)
General Description & Characteristics -- The Algonquin of the north were the ones to give this river its name, Mississippi ("big water"). Along with its larger "tributaries" the Missouri and Ohio, and many other contributing streams, the Mississippi River forms an immense river system that drains about 1.2 million square miles. It is the third largest river basin in the world.
The nominal source of the Mississippi River is at an outflow channel of Lake Itasca, Minnesota, where Itasca State Park provides access to the lake and river, and other visitor amenities. The first 420 miles (to St. Cloud, Minnesota) have been designated the "Mississippi Headwaters River Trail" by the Mississippi Headwaters Board. In this distance, the Mississippi grows from a small stream barely big enough for canoeing to a significant river worthy of its name.
Location & Canoeable Mileage -- You can canoe the entire Mississippi Headwaters River Trail of over 400 miles; however, some sections present some difficulties including dams which must be portaged, open water paddling on some lakes, and areas of marshland where the river may be hard to follow.
For a long canoe camping excursion that does not have any portages, consider the 123 miles between Veterans Park (DNR map shows this as Riverside Park) in Grand Rapids to the town of Aitkin. Through this section, the river meanders gently through the bed of an ancient glacial lake, now covered with diverse forests. To shorten this trip a bit, you can take out at Berglund Park in Palisade, thus reducing the trip by 30 miles, or you can choose a trip to fit your schedule -- there are many interim access points.
Interesting Features -- The land along the river is mostly privately owned and alternates between agricultural use and forest lands. Near the river, bottomland forests consist of trees tolerant to the regular flooding of the Mississippi, including silver maple, ash, basswood and elm. On slightly higher elevations, these give way to forests of mixed pines, spruce, aspen, birch and oak. There is little development along this section of the Mississippi.
Notable wildlife commonly seen along the Mississippi will include bald eagles, mink, and otter.
Many rivers join the Mississippi in this section, sometimes adding substantially to its flow. These include the Prairie, Swan, Sandy, Willow, and Rice Rivers.
Palisade (pop. 155) is the only town of any size along the river in this section. A public park provides access and is an easy walk into the business district.
Beware the outflow diversion dam nine miles above Aitken! A low head dam allows water to flow to the right out of the Mississippi's main channel at high water stages. Stay left in the main channel.
Camping -- The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has established some primitive campsites along the river. There are nine such sites (accessible only from the river) marked on the river maps available free from DNR, which also shows areas of public ownership. Some of these have rather cute names including "Swimming Bear" and "Ms. Keto" (say those aloud a couple of times in case you don't get the pun). Unfortunately Swimming Bear camp was found to be atop a very steep bank which made it virtually inaccessible, and Ms. Keto was situated some distance downstream from where the map maker had placed it. These camps have little to offer but a small clearing and pit toilet; however the woods along the river are sometimes densely covered with brush, so any clearing will be welcome. Landings are sandy and sparse in the upper section of this run and become muddy farther downstream.
Most of the land along the river is private, and DNR recommends against camping on private land, though there is a great deal of very remote forest land where camping would be possible if you can find a spot. There are also developed campgrounds on or near the river at Jacobson, about 1/2 mile up the Sandy River (COE Park), and at Palisade.
Additional Information --
| Canoeing Information |
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| Canoe Rental/Shuttle Service | Minnesota DNR list of outfitters |
| River Flow Data |
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| Parks on/near the River | Lake Itasca State Park |
| Towns/Other Locales on/near the River | |
| Books | |
| More Pictures |
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| Environmental Issues/Organizations |
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| Acknowledgments/Contributors |
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| Miscellaneous | Minnesota Canoe Association is a paddling organization with a great web site. Also see the web page of the MCA affiliate Headwaters Canoe Club. |
