About Mississippi River

St. Cloud is so fortunate to have the Mighty Mississippi River flowing right through downtown St. Cloud.

There are many ways to get out and enjoy this notable body of water!  Here are a few ideas:

  • Check out the banks of the river after a stroll through Munsinger Clemens Gardens
  • Take in the sheer strength of the river from Riverside Park at the St. Cloud Dam
  • Paddle through the Beaver Islands with kayak, paddle board, and canoe rental from Clear Waters Outfitting
  • Plan a picnic in the park and enjoy the riverside from Wilson Park
  • Fish along the riverbank for small mouth bass from the Sauk Rapids City Park
  • Walk on water with a stroll along the Beaver Island Trail in Downtown St. Cloud
  • Take a slow cruise along the Mississippi River in a pontoon boat to relax.
  • Check out this info on the Beaver Island Trails: 

    The Beaver Islands Trail follows the route of an inactive railway that was originally part of a charter railroad of the Minneapolis and Northwestern Railway Company. Built in 1882, the railroad line connected Minneapolis with the town of Clearwater, south of St. Cloud. A spur line connects to Tileston, a site where a mill and elevator were located adjacent to a dam on the Mississippi River.
    Today the Beaver Islands Trail, once known as the Tileston Mill Spur, is open in two disconnected segments. The larger segment follows the Mississippi River for a little more than 5 miles from near the St. Cloud State University campus south to Montrose Road at Clearwater Road. North of the university campus, a short segment is available behind the St. Cloud River’s Edge Convention Center.

    At 33rd Street South and Roosevelt Road/County Road 75, the Beaver Islands Trail links up to the Scenic River Trail, which is neither scenic nor along the river, but does provide a direct, nondescript route back north into downtown at McKinley Park at 10th Street South.

    Beyond the northern terminus of the larger segment of the Beaver Islands Trail on First Avenue South is the River Walk, a predominantly pedestrian trail that follows along the river as it skirts about five blocks of downtown streets.

    Parking and Trail Access

    To reach the southern terminus of the trail near River Bluffs Regional Park from I-94, take Exit 171 for County Road 75/Roosevelt Road. Head 0.8 mile north on Roosevelt Road. Turn right onto 38th St. S. Parking will be on the left.

    Additional access points for the trail are at the St. Cloud State University campus, beyond the east end of 15th St. and 16th St. on Third Ave. S. (there is a bicycle tune-up station here), and at 33rd St. S. and CR 75/Roosevelt Road.

     

     No matter what you do, make sure that you experience the Mighty Mississippi River in some way when you visit St. Cloud!