Bike with a Ranger

Bike with a Ranger is a family-friendly way to explore the Mississippi River. Join us this summer on a three-hour, nine mile ride held most Saturdays, from June through September. (For exercise enthusiasts, each ride may burn up to 350 calories for a 150 lb person!)

Cost
$8 / $5 for Mississippi River Fund Members
Kids under 10 ride for free.
Registration is required. Space is limited to the first 20 people who register. Register online with the Mississippi River Fund.

Trip Information

See below for trip locations and routes

-Trips start at 10:00 a.m. and finish around 1:00 p.m. Participants should arrive at 9:45 a.m. to prepare for the ride.
-Routes are 9-14 miles in length and end where they begin.
-Participants must register and will receive a registration packet that includes bike safety information, what to bring, route map, weather preparation, parking information, and start location.
-Two loaner bikes are available to participants for the Harriet Island and Matthews Park routes. 20 loaner bikes are available on the Confluence route. Please reserve them during registration. We also have an ample supply of helmets if you need one or forget yours.

Registration Information

Registration is required. All rides are limited to 20 participants. Register online with the Mississippi River Fund.

Groups are welcome to schedule a ride with a park ranger at a different time, using one of the existing routes, and depending on staff availability. Call Brian Valentine at 651-293-8428 for more information.

Rides

A Confluence of Rivers and Peoples

Location: Base Camp near Historic Fort Snelling (Google Map)
Dates for 2013: June 22, July 13, August 10, September 28
Distance: 14 miles
Notes: Parking is free. The route may cross a bridge which includes staircases with bike treadway where bike trailers must be carried.

This route circles the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers, beginning and ending at the Boy Scouts' Base Camp, near Historic Fort Snelling. Riders will see the floodplain forest, the historic city of Mendota, Historic Fort Snelling, and the beautiful Minnehaha waterfall.

On the Waterfront

Location: Harriet Island
Dates for 2013: June 29, July 20, August 17, September 14
Distance: 9 miles
Notes: Meet at the Harriet Island Pavilion (Google Map).

Ever wonder why the Twin Cities exist? People have always been drawn to the power of the Mississippi River and its unique characteristics. The trip starts and ends at Harriet Island in Saint Paul. Participants will ride on trails upriver to explore the history, geology, watersheds and parks which made this section of the river an irresistible destination for so many people. This is a great orientation ride to the Mississippi River.

River at the Dam!

Location: Coon Rapids Dam Park - East. Coon Rapids, MN. (Google Map)
Dates for 2013: Due to the construction, there will be no Coon Rapids dam rides summer 2013.
Distance: 10 miles
Notes: Anoka County Parks charges a $5 fee if entering by motorized vehicle. It is possible to park for free on the West side of the dam and bike across to meet the Ranger.

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. Bike rental is available for a fee at the park's visitor center. Call [phone] for their rates and to make a reservation.

Minneapolis Riverfront

Location: Matthews Park, Minneapolis. Meet in the parking lot north of the park (Google Map).
Dates for 2013: July 6, August 3, September 21
Distance: 10 miles
Notes: Parking is free.

Minneapolis and Saint Paul are river towns. See the Mississippi River's only major waterfall and explore the great river's only gorge. We will ride through modern parks while exploring the river's ancient geology and its extraordinary human history that led to the founding of the Twin Cities and its development into a regional and worldwide economic powerhouse.