Key Highlights Connections Minnesota, the source of the Mississippi River, is an ideal 833 mile beginning to ÂÂ While tracing America’s river, the MRT ÂÂ The MRT travels through ten states: your expedition on the 3000 mile Mississippi River Bikeway provides opportunity for Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Trail. Or, by itself, Minnesota can be a bicycling significant adventure and outstanding Kentucky, Missouri, Tennessee, destination of international quality. Through small cultural enrichment. Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana towns, and thriving metropolises, among pristine ÂÂ There is a unique intimacy and connection ÂÂ The MRT travels through nearly 70 forests and historic landscapes, from the river’s to what is happening while traveling cities and 21 counties in Minnesota. beginning as a meandering stream small enough upon a bicycle. to walk across, along it’s transformation into a ÂÂ The MRT connects with 3 states and monumental waterway, you will find the MRT in ÂÂ Minnesota is the place to bike! In 10 regional trails in Minnesota. Minnesota an awe-inspiring journey. 2011 Minnesota was ranked number 4 as “most bicycle friendly state in the ÂÂ The MRT connects to 8 state parks, 1 The industry, transportation and settlements that United States.” In 2010 Minneapolis national park and numerous regional have lined the river throughout history still exist was recognized as America’s best city to parks in Minnesota. today. Enter traditional downtowns near the water bicycle and Minnesota was named the that invite you in for glimpses of the past along ÂÂ The MRT travels through two bicycle country’s Best State Trails. with modern support and amenities. Find evidence friendly large urban areas - the St. of the logging trade, the era of mining, and learn Cloud metro area and the Twin Cities ÂÂ There is something for everyone! Over about past and present day Native American cultures. metro area. 100 miles of off-road trails have been Historical markers, interpretive museums, and incorporated into the route to match remnants of industrial infrastructure offer views into the needs of a wide range of would-be the river’s past and current influence. Mississippi River adventurers. Mississippi Headwaters The Mississippi River is a central part of Minnesota life Mississippi Northwoods ÂÂ Save some for later! the MRT can be the Mississippi Crossings today. The MRT links a wide array of trails, parks, and Scenic Mississippi blueprint for numerous trips ridden over recreational opportunities such as canoeing, hiking Metro Mississippi many years. and fishing. Accommodation possibilities range from Mississippi Bluffs “The Great Mississippi, the rustic campgrounds to first class resorts. Throughout Paul Bunyan/Heartland Trail MRT Alternative Route majestic, the magnificent the state, experience challenging hills, and gentle
Open Water Mississippi, rolling its mile-wide trails, stately pine forests, and magnificent wetlands, tide along, shining in the sun” Trails birdwatching, wildlife and striking fall color in a Mark Twain State Parks variety of Minnesota communities. Mississippi National River &
Recreation Area Apple Blossom Interstate Highways Scenic Drive US Trunk Highways RIVER Mississippi River Trail Bikeway- The MRT is a bikeway, MRT ROUTE HEADWATERS TO THE IOWA BORDER largely on the shoulders of low volume, paved roads, COMPOSITION: ROUTE CHARACTERISTICS: offering the safest and best bicycling experience along the IKEWAY On-road Route Surface: Paved For more information: www.dot.state.mn.us/bike/mrt.html ISSISSIPPI B length of the Mississippi River through ten states, from the 77 % M headwaters at Lake Itasca to the Gulf of Mexico. 23 % Off-road Trail Distance: 817 miles TRAIL Scenery abounds as the Character of the River Key Themes Mississippi River Trail connects the cities of Little Falls and Elk River. The river ÂÂ The widening river carves ÂÂ Ridin’ rural - grab your corridor provides a relaxing ride past deeper into the bedrock, camera and photograph farms, fields, and woodlands on pleasant alternating between scenic farm-scapes and rural roads while Midwestern hospitality increasingly dramatic rapids historic barns along this awaits you in the small communities. In and long tranquil stretches. segment of the Mississippi Sartell, Sauk Rapids and Monticello, you River. Travel from town to can enjoy access to the Mississippi River town and enjoy the markets, in numerous riverside parks, while local, fishing piers and picnic off-road trail segments allow you to travel sites found in several of the alongside the river through enchanting communities. wooded corridors. Acting as a hub for ÂÂ Go multimodal - in addition Scenic Mississippi, St. Cloud celebrates it’s to biking, this pastoral riverfront with Clemens and Munsinger section of the Mississippi Gardens, while nearby Lake Maria State River offers canoeing, Park offers you a nice out of the way kayaking and other travel hiking and camping experience. combinations. Outfitters Near Little Falls is the Lake Wobegon Trail are located in St. Cloud, that celebrates Garrison Keilor’s imaginary Clearwater, and Monticello. town. ÂÂ River tourism is a great Monticello has an inviting downtown just attraction, and the water is off the river, and other historic sites are known for excellent sport concentrated in the communities of St. Mississippi River fishing. Cloud, Clearwater, and Elk River. Break Scenic Mississippi Mississippi Crossings your ride to journey back in time at the Metro Mississippi nearby Oliver H. Kelley Farm in Elk River. Oliver Open Water H. Kelley Farm At this working museum, you can pick Trails heirloom vegetables, churn butter, make State Parks homemade soap and participate in other Interstate Highways farm activities, while costumed guides US Trunk Highways offer insight into rural Minnesota life State Trunk Highways 20246 8 10 Miles County Boundary in the 1860s.
RAIL Mississippi River Trail Bikeway- The MRT is a SCENIC MISSISSIPPI LITTLE FALLS TO ELK RIVER ISSISSIPPI T bikeway, largely on the shoulders of low volume, paved ROUTE COMPOSITION: ROUTE CHARACTERISTICS: M IVER roads, offering the safest and best bicycling experience R For more information: www.dot.state.mn.us/bike/mrt.html along the length of the Mississippi River through ten states, 97% On-road Route Surface: Paved IKEWAY from the headwaters at Lake Itasca to the Gulf of Mexico. 3% Off-road Trail Distance: 85 miles CENICISSISSIPPIB S M MINNESOTA MRT MARKETNG TOOLBOX 10-State Mississippi River Trail Map
North Country Nat. Lake Scenic Trail Itasca
St. Croix Nat. Scenic River St. Paul Miss. Nat. River & Recreation Area Minneapolis Ice Age Nat. Scenic Trail MINNESOTA La Crosse WISCONSIN Effigy Mounds Nat. Monument Dubuque IOWA Quad Cities American Discovery Trail
ILLINOIS
Lewis & Clark Nat. Historic Trail St. Louis Route 66 Ulysses S. Grant Nat. Historic Site ; Jefferson Nat. Expansion Memorial MISSOURI Cairo KENTUCKY
TENNESSEE
ARKANSAS Trail of Tears Nat. Historic Trail Memphis Helena/ West Helena Arkansas Post National Trail Nat. Memorial Segment Greenville Mississippi MISSISSIPPI River Vicksburg Nat. Military Park Mississippi Vicksburg River LOUISIANA Natchez Trace Parkway Natchez Trace Nat. Scenic Trail Trail Natchez Natchez Nat. Historical Park
Baton Rouge Jean Lafitte Nat. Historical Park & Preserve New Orleans New Orleans Jazz Nat. Historical Park Gulf of Mexico
Source: MRT, Inc.
SETTING
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