Our 2009 Bike-with-a-Ranger season is now over. Check back next spring for a new slate of rides--such as the ones below--which will explore the natural and cultural history of our Mississippi River.

Bike with a Ranger is a great way to get exercise, breathe some fresh air, and learn about the human and natural history of one of the world's great rivers--the Mississippi River.

This summer, the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area will offer ranger-led rides every Saturday morning, June through September and Thursdays morning, June through August.

Trip Information

• Most trips are from 10:00am-1:00pm and start promptly, except for Hastings rides, which begin at 5:30 p.m.
• Routes are from 8-14 miles in length and form a loop.
• Saturday ride participants receive a registration packet that includes bike safety information, what to bring, route map, weather preparation, parking information, and start location.

Registration Information

Participation is free for both Thursday and Saturday rides, but registration is required for Saturday rides. Registration is not required for Thursday rides, but will be limited to 20 participants on a first-come, first-served basis. Call the Mississippi River Visitor Center at (651) 293-0200 to reserve a spot on a Saturday ride.

Saturday Rides
Registration is required for Saturday rides. To register, call the Mississippi River Visitor Center at (651) 293-0200. All rides, except for Hastings, begin promptly at 10:00am.

A Confluence of Space and Time

Location: Minnehaha Falls (directions) (site info)
Dates: This ride is not being offered again this year. Check back next year!
Departure Time: 10:00 a.m.
Distance: 14 miles

Travel back in time to a unique place where the stories of human history and the natural world intertwine. This route circles the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers beginning at Crosby Farm Regional Park. The trip includes visits to the floodplain forest, the historic city of Mendota, Historic Fort Snelling, and Minnehaha waterfall.

On the Waterfront

Location: Harriet Island  (directions) (site info)
Dates: This ride is not being offered again this year. Check back next year!
Departure Time: 10:00 a.m.
Distance: 9 miles

Ever wonder why we have the Twin Cities? St. Paul, Minneapolis, and the surrounding communities were built and settled because of the local features of the Mississippi River. This trip starts at the Harriet Island Regional Park in downtown St. Paul and travels upriver to explore the history, geology, watersheds, and parks that connect us all to the Mississippi River.

River at the Dam!

Location: Coon Rapids Dam East (directions) (site info)
Dates: This ride is not being offered again this year. Check back next year!
Departure Time: 10:00 a.m.
Distance: 10 miles

This trip explores the Mississippi above the nine foot navigation channel and offers a chance to see natural and cultural features of the river upstream of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. We will ride bike trails along the river and across the Coon Rapids dam while uncovering the rich history and natural resources of the Mississippi River from Coon Rapids Dam to Banfill Locke/Manomin Park. Bike rental is available at Coon Rapids Dam East, (763) 757-4700.

Minneapolis Riverfront

Location: Mathews Park (directions) (site info)
Dates: This ride is not being offered again this year. Check back next year!
Departure Time: 10 a.m.
Distance: 10 miles

Minneapolis is a river town. Bike this new "Bike with a Ranger" route this summer and find out some of the cool trails and interesting history that tell the story of how the Twin Cities came to be. Plus, see the Mississippi`s only major waterfall and its only gorge. 

Thursday Rides
Registration is not required for Thursday rides, but will be limited to 20 participants on a first come, first served basis. Trips begin promptly at 10:00am and end around 1:00pm. If you have any questions regarding a trip, please contact the Mississippi River Visitor Center at (651) 293-0200.

Location: North Entrance Hidden Falls (directions) (site info)
Dates: This ride is not being offered again this year. Check back next year!
Departure Time: 10:00 a.m.
Distance: 6-10 miles.

Location: Phillips Community Center (directions) (site info)
Dates: This ride is not being offered again this year. Check back next year!
Departure Time: 10:00 a.m.
Distance: 6-10 miles.

Call Ann Sarnecki (651) 290-3030 x234 with questions.