Mississippi Gorge Park

Rate this place

Last Updated: December 25, 2025

Mississippi Gorge Park is a 54-acre park located in the state of Minnesota.


°F

°F

mph

Wind

%

Humidity

Summary

The park is situated along the Mississippi River and offers visitors the opportunity to explore the natural beauty of the area. The park is a popular destination for hiking, biking, and bird-watching.

One of the main reasons to visit Mississippi Gorge Park is its stunning natural beauty. The park features a variety of hiking trails that wind through the forest and along the shoreline of the Mississippi River. Visitors can also enjoy stunning views of the river from the park's overlooks.

There are several points of interest to see within Mississippi Gorge Park. One of the most popular attractions is the park's natural amphitheater, which is a great spot for picnicking and enjoying outdoor concerts. The park is also home to several historic sites, including the ruins of an old mill and a Native American burial mound.

Interesting facts about Mississippi Gorge Park include its location on the Mississippi River, which is one of the world's longest rivers. The park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including bald eagles, ospreys, and many species of fish.

The best time of year to visit Mississippi Gorge Park is during the summer months when the weather is warm and the park is filled with lush vegetation. However, the park is open year-round and offers visitors stunning views of the river and surrounding landscape no matter what the season.

       

Weather Forecast

Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References