Map - Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

A S T A T E WA T E R T R A I L G U I D E T O T H E M I S S I S S I P P I R I V E R
32
77
64
Red Sand
Lake
Sylvan
Lake
Watercraft Campsite
Outfitter
Shelter
Dock
Safe Refuge
Lawrence Lake WMA
Dam
Picnic Area
Pillager
Rapids
Lon
g
Point of Interest
e
iri
a
Pr
Wilder Landing
COUNTY
MORRISON
Crow Wing
State Park
Riv
R.
er
Sylvan Dam
R
Lake Placid
Fish Hatchery
10
Staples WMA
ow
Cr
Al Vah’s
995
ppi
ssi
i
iss
M
Win
g
371
Buff
Power
Line
r
e
Riv
ld
Barrow
ROUT E DES CR IP T I O N
Sand plains, a forest of mixed hardwoods, islands and undeveloped shoreline define this river section. Broad
shallow areas create riffles during most of the year, which complicate navigation for all but canoes and similar
small craft.
Crow Wing State Park and Camp Ripley Military Reservation occupy much of the section. The river’s banks
are undeveloped, even though the Twin Cities are about two hours south. Paddling is easy, the views are
remarkable, and fishing is great. Researchers conducting a recreational study of the Mississippi found one
gentleman who was on the river north of Little Falls almost daily during the open water season—which ended for
him on the Monday after one cold Thanksgiving. Chunks of ice were floating down the river, but the angler took a
day’s haul of smallmouth bass.
Kobliska WMA
River miles are counted upstream from the Mississippi’s confluence with
the Ohio
River, according to a system
WMA
Kobliska
developed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Note: (R) and (L) refer to right bank and left bank, respectively, when facing downstream.
h
ut
44
Shamineau
Lake
Group Camp
U.S. Highway 10
9
ng
Wi e
ow Lak
Cr
Ripley
1
Military
121
21
2
985
2
Reservation
Lake Alexander Woods SNA
LeBourget Park/5th Ave. Landing
There are accesses on both sides of the river
above the dam.
23
131
131
371
Lake
Alexander
965.8 (R) 4th Avenue Landing
965.7
Fee Charged
Camp
967.9 (R) Little Elk River
This is an historic Ojibwe village site. It is
also the sight of the western-most fur trade
post built by the French in the 18th century.
Later a grain mill was built and a townsite
Fish Trap
planned,
theyAlexander
never developed.
Lake but
Woods SNA
Lake
967.1
22
45
Fort Ripley
Landing
2
2
45
Nokassippi
130
Little Nokasippi River WMA
122
965.3 (L) Little Falls Dam, Access and Pier
Built in the late 19th century the dam is
1006.5(L) French Rapids Access
and carry in access downstream of the
Woods
Alexander
Long Prairie River WMA
now owned Lake
by Minnesota
Power
andSNA
used
confluence, and other camping options
to
generate
electricity
for
town
and
for
1004.1(L) Rice Lake Access
throughout the park. A State Park Vehicle
operations of Hennepin Power, located just
Access is located on the south end of the lake
Permit is required.
downstream on the west bank. There is a
at Brainerd’s Lum Park. Drinking water,
public access on the river’s east bank.
shelter, picnic area, fishing pier and
982.3 (L)Fort Ripley Landing
Long Prairie River WMA
Portage left 325 yards, just downstream
swimming.
The Nokasippi River meets the Mississippi
River here. This was the original location of Ruff-Nik WMA from the Hwy 27 bridge.
1004.1 Potlatch Dam
Fort Gaines, built in 1848 to protect
964.4 (L) Weyerhauser-Musser and Rosenmeier
Portage right 201 yds.
Winnebago Indians who were brought to
Homes
Minnesota during treaty negotiations with the
1003.4 (L)Evergreen Landing
Dakota and Ojibwe to provide a buffer; theRuff-Nik WMA Overlooking the Mississippi River and
Little Falls’ river parks are two gracious
fort also secured passage on the Woods Trail,
older homes, built by the Weyerhauser and
1001.2 (L)Kiwanis Park
which ran on the east side of the river, as
Turtle Creek WMA
Musser families. Just east of those two
The Mississippi leaves the City of Brainerd
Highway 371 does today. There is also a
houses is the home occupied by Gordon
at Kiwanis Park. The City of Baxter extends
shorefishing area just downstream.
Rosenmeier, who had a distinguished career
downriver on the river’s right, or western
in the Minnesota Senate.
bank. The Minnesota Department of Natural
979.5 (R) Pipe Island
Resources Regional Headquarters is located
Numerous islands in the river corridor are the
964.0- (R) Charles A. Lindbergh State Park and
on either side of the river, but generally, the
result of the river’s profile and human use of
963.2
Historic Site/ Pike Creek Landing
corridor is wooded.
the area. Logs were once floated downriver,
The state park is upstream of the
and
often
caught
midstream
on
the
rocks
and
Browerville
Sheets Lake WMA
Mississippi’s confluence with Pike Creek,
998.2 (L) Buffalo Creek
boulders. Jams of logs eventually became
and the historic site is downstream of the
Before settlement, this area was an open
islands in the shallows of this river section,
confluence. Campsites are located one mile
plain where buffalo grazed, and the journals
There are dozens of these islands in the
up Pike Creek. There is camping, boat
of river explorers Zebulon Pike, Lewis Cass,
channel. Watch for mud, and soft-shelled
access, modern facilities and interpretive
and Henry Schoolcraft each record the
turtles sunning on exposed rocks and
programs at the park. The park is named for
explorer’s comments on the plain’s striking
branches.
the Minnesota Congressman who was also
appearance.
Hartford WMA
the father of the aviator Charles Lindbergh.
973.5
State Highway 115
The family lived in the house before
995.8 (R) Baxter Campsite
This is the southern boundary of Camp
Charles A. Lindbergh’s election to
Ripley.
Congress. The family spent summers in
997.0- (L) Crow Wing State Park
Little Falls in later years.
989.5
The park has a variety of day use and
972.6 (R) Fletcher’s Creek Landing & Campsite
Little Elk WMA
overnight facilities, The historic Red River
River access only for the public. Campsite on
963.3 (R)
LittlePike
Elk Creek Landing
Ox Cart Trail leads the visitor through the
the right bank just downstream of the boat
Concrete trailer access.
town site of the once-prosperous Old Crow
access. There is a private campground on the
Wing, which now features picnic grounds.
left, or east, bank. An island bisects the
This location marks the down river boundary of this
Interpretive exhibits and naturalists programs
Mississippi below Fletcher’s Creek
map. Refer to map 6, Little Falls to St. Cloud, for
are provided at a shelter area. There is a boat
confluence with the Mississippi.
further downriver information.
launch one mile upstream from the
confluence of the Mississippi and Crow
970.2 (L)Belle Prairie County Park
Wing rivers; a primitive campsite
This is a day use park. The Franciscan
Sisters, whose church is near by, protect a
990.5 (R) Crow Wing River
beautiful stand of virgin white pine at the
The Crow Wing is a 100 mile river with a
park.
gradient of 2.5 feet per mile. It is an excellent
and popular canoeing stream.
Fort Ripley
Sebie
Lake
139
ssippi
Noka
Little
River
CROW WING COUNTY
MORRISON COUNTY
980
25
en
ok
Br
49
Pipe Island
49
23
45
w
Bo
.
Cr
Wittiker WMA
281
Island 37
1
277
371
Neitermeier WMA
48
48
975
Randall
Topeka Island
115
10
Green Prairie
Fish Lake Fletcher
Creek
Landing
& Campsite
1
Fl
r
ve
Otter Point WMA
47
47
47
262
47
265
45
Lastrup
sippi
Ri
r
he
etc
Camp Ripley
Junction
Lit
tle
k
River
au
ty
10
Mi
46
22
25
nk
970
Belle Prairie County Park
tte
Pla
371
Mud Lake WMA
Cr.
R
Roscoe
Island
El
Be
r
ive
Missis
Prairie
27
46
265
g
Bi
Ereaux WMA
287
Culdrum WMA
Little Falls Dam
Portage Left • 325 yards
27
Pike
1
28
Flensburg
222
Pike Creek
Campsite
Fee Charged
Pike Creek
Landing
238
L
Little Falls
43
43
LeBourget
Park Landing
4th Avenue Landing
27
10
Charles A. Lindbergh
State Park
Pierz
45
Little Falls Dam
965
Sku
nk
214
27
River
43
215
eek
Cr
71
TODD COUNTY
MORRISON COUNTY
Lake
Long Prairie
27
51
Ripley Esker SNA
Long
71
23
25
990
B R AI N E R D to LI T TLE FA LLS
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF ROUTE
Telef Paulson WMA
Russel
Lake
County Road
W.M.A. = Wildlife Management Area
S.N.A. = Scientific and Natural Area
4 kilometers
Creek
k
3
148
gh
Hi
O
Cr
ee
2
24
25
1
37
r
1
y
wa
ve
0
Poor Farm
WMA
117
21
Stanchfield Lake WMA
4 miles
3
Kiwanis Park
1000
Ri
North
2
18
Ray Cook
WMA
River
1
First
Island
48
Crow Wing
State Park
r
ve
0
State Highway
U.S. Highway
Lum Park
210
Phillbrook WMA
Interstate Highway
Rice Lake Access
Brainerd
alo
Portage Right - 126.5 yards
159
e
Evergreen
Landing
Baxter
Baxter Canoe
Campsite
Ri
Designated Public
Land
Wing
River Mile
Interpretive
Lake WMACenter
Lawrence
Safe Refuge is shelter with
access to a telephone
Fishing Pier
Motley
TY
CASS COUN
20
25
La
k
g
Trailer Access
Hospital
ek
ce
R
Lo
n
Campground
ow
Cr
210
Drinking Water
Carry-in Access
Cre
CASS COUNTY
CROW WING COUNTY
ile
Gu
ll
M
210
Portage Right • 201 yards
1005
Ri
3
White
Sand
Lake
Ri
ve
1
21
Potlatch Dam
160
18
210
t
ber
Gil ake
L
So
83
35
371
Pe
rch
La
ke
33
Green Oak
Landing
Mosquito
9
3
Staples
Dower Lake
WMA
en
10
Marsh’s
Landing
77
S ev
102
WADENA COUNTY
TODD COUNTY
49
r
30
55
French
Rapids
70
Cr
eek
2
26
Gull
Lake
34
Pil
l
La ager
ke
2
34
La
ke
Orville’s
Landing
Loerch WMA
ake
zL
r
Pie
Popple Lake WMA
Rice-Skunk WMA
Rice Lake
27
Genola
25
STATE WATER TRAIL MAP
A
Mississippi River
STATE
WATER
TRAIL
GUIDE
TO
Brainerd to Little Falls - Map 5 of 9
THE
MISSISSIPPI
RIVER
“The Mississippi here traverses the immense plains which
extend to the Missouri, and which present to the eye a
spectacle at once interesting and fatiguing. Scarcely the
slightest variation in the surface occurs, and they are
entirely destitute of timber. In this debatable land, the
game is very abundant; buffaloes, elks and deer range
unharmed and unconscious of harm.”
Lewis Cass, 1820
HEADWATERS RIVER TRAIL
BELTRAMI
Turtle River
Lake Bemidji
ITASCA
le River
Turt
ie
Lake Winnibigoshish
Cass Lake
ch
Lake
er
Riv
Lake George
HUBBARD
Deer River
Cohasset
Grand Rapids
Vermillion
River
Walker
Swan River
Scho
Lake Itasca
olcr
aft
River
Ball Club
Lee
Pokegama
Lake
Remer
Splithand
River
W
illo
w
CASS
CROW WING
Crow
e
in
Big Sandy
Lake
Palisade
Cross Lake
Pin
W
Jacobson
Riv
er
g
Riv
er
McGregor
River
Crosby
Aitkin
Deerwood
Riverton
AITKIN
Gull Lake
Pillager
Riv
er
Brainerd
pi
asip
Nok
Fort Ripley
Lit
tle
Randall
Elk
Riv
er
MORRISON
Little Falls
an Riv
er
Sw
Royalton
Sartell
St. Cloud
“The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
is an Equal Opportunity Employer”
This information is available in alternative
format upon request.
Online water trail information and
maps can be found at
mndnr.gov/watertrails
SSISSIP PI RIV
MI
1601 Minnesota Drive
Brainerd, MN 56401
218-828-2619
ER
PROTEC
TI
HE FIRST 400 M
NGT
ILES
Minnesota State Parks and
Trails Regional Unit
OF TH
E
Mississippi Headwaters
Board
P.O. Box 3000, Walker, MN 56484
218-547-7263
mhbriverwatch.dst.mn.us
This Publication was produced by the Mississippi Headwaters board in
cooperation with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Financial
support was provided by the folowing organizations.
Minnesota Power
REI/National Rivers Coalition
Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board
Itasca Trails Task Force
McKnight Foundation
National Forest Foundation
DNR Information Center
The DNR’s Information Center is available to provide free
publications of facilities and services as well as answers questions
pertaining to DNR recreational opportunities in Minnesota.
500 Lafayette Road
St. Paul, MN 55155-4040
651-296-6157 Metro Area
1-888-646-6367 MN Toll-Free
mndnr.gov
The Mississippi River makes a question mark shape
on the land as it travels from Lake Itasca to St. Cloud.
You are invited to follow the Headwaters River Trail
down the first 420 miles of the Mississippi River. At
Lake Itasca, the Headwaters trickle over a stone ledge,
where you can wade across the mighty river. Tributaries
add momentum for the 2,348 mile trek to the Gulf of
Mexico; groundwater contributes two-thirds of the
Mississippi River’s initial flow. From the Headwaters,
the river flows through nine lakes. Glacial hills, called
moraines, and glacial depressions, now lakes and
wetlands, create scenic views. Wetlands, marshes, and
oxbows act as natural filtration systems, preserving water
quality. Rapids and riffles dot the entire river. Fishing is
great!
River elevation drops 500 feet from Itasca to St.
Cloud. Hydropower and water control dams require
portages. A braided river pattern joins the Mesabi and
Cuyuna Iron Ranges — 100 miles apart by road and 200
miles by river. The Cuyuna Range is the most rugged
area of the Headwaters. Near Brainerd, development and
agriculture increase with a more defined channel; natural
characteristics are preserved.
The Mississippi Headwaters Board is an
eight-county joint powers board organized to protect the
natural, cultural, scenic, scientific and recreational values
identified in the Mississippi Headwaters Guide Book.
The Headwaters is an extraordinary place for wildlife
and rare plants. Citizens protect the Mississippi River at
its Headwaters to help provide safe drinking water to
millions of people downstream in St. Cloud and the Twin
Cities, and in Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri,
Kentucky, Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana.
Choose a wilderness experience or visit parks with a
variety of facilities. Either way you will see a unique
place and meet the people who live here. The Mississippi
River is a fun place to visit.
Trip Planning
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Travel with a companion or group. Plan your trip
with a map before you depart and advise someone of
your plans including planned departure and arrival
times.
Most people paddle two to three river miles per hour.
Lake Bemidji, Cass Lake and Lake Winnibigoshish
can be dangerous; stay within swimming distance of
shore. If you are uncomfortable with large open
water, plan to use a vehicle to portage around the
lakes.
Bring a first aid kit that includes waterproof
matches.
Be cautious of river obstructions, such as
overhanging and dead trees in the river.
You must pack out all trash.
Leave only footprints; take only photographs!
Rest Areas and
Camping Sites
•
•
•
•
•
Public rest areas are
available along the route
to rest, picnic and explore.
Camp only in designated
campsites, which are
available on a first
come-first served basis.
Bring drinking water. It is
only available at a limited
number of rest areas.
Drinking river water is not
recommended, but if you
do it must be treated.
Respect private property.
Stop only at designated
sites; much of the
shoreland is private property.
Be sanitary! Use designated toilet facilities or bury
human waste away from the river.
Boating Information
•
•
•
•
Photos: Peter Card II
© 2016 Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
ABOUT THIS RIVER SECTION
Brainerd to Little Falls
A successful river trip is safe. To enjoy a safe journey,
you should be prepared. You should be acquainted with
your route. Choose a distance that is comfortable for you.
Water levels can speed you or slow you: get information
about water levels from the regional DNR office, or
check the river level gauges listed in the route
description section of this map. Protect the water and
shorelands and leave nothing behind you except
footprints. Remember that much of the shorelands are
privately owned.
Riv
er
Lake
Andrusia
Cass Lake
Bemidji
Pr
air
CLEARWATER
PLANNING A SAFE RIVER TRIP
Wear a U. S. Coast Guard approved personal
flotation device.
Bring an extra paddle.
Not all portions of this water trail are suitable for
motor use.
Register your watercraft. All watercraft more than 9
feet in length, including nonmotorized canoes and
kayaks, must be registered in Minnesota or your
state of residence.
The Mississippi River completes its circuit around
the high lands of northern Minnesota as it approaches
Brainerd from the northeast. The river flows out of the
forest and wetlands of northern Minnesota and into a
narrow valley, bounded by broad sandplains. The main
channel is quite broad, but broken up by islands.
The Crow Wing River flows southeasterly to the
Mississippi from a system of lakes lying east of the
Mississippi headwaters at Lake Itasca. Minnesota’s
eastern forests and western prairies intersect at the
confluence of these two rivers.
The Nokasippi River drains the lowlands of Crow
Wing County from just east of Mille Lacs Lake. Below
the confluence with the Nokasippi River, the Mississippi
flows through a flat valley formed by glacial outwash
material that is now bounded by hills on either side. The
shoreline is vegetated, and the lands just
beyond are cultivated for farming. The water
table is very shallow, making the sandplain
area quite productive. Local farmers draw
water from the Mississippi for irrigation and
a gravel operation also taps this resource.
The Mississippi’s channel is underlain
by rocky bars that create riffles and make
navigation difficult for even the smallest
boat’s motor. These riffles create small
standing waves in the channel. The system
of riffles begins at Pipe Island, about three
river miles below the Nokasippi, and continues down
river to the State Highway 115 bridge, the southern
boundary of Camp Ripley. Good water quality supports
an excellent game fish population including muskie,
walleye, smallmouth bass and northern pike.
The original prairies bordering the Mississippi were
three to five miles long and one mile wide. These sand
plains were covered in prairie plants, which adapted to
open and dry areas. The prairie vole and the upland
sandpiper live here. Watch for deer, raccoon, bear,
muskrat, beaver, turtles, waterfowl, hawks and eagles
along the shore.
A prominent glacial feature of this section is the
Ripley esker, lying just east of the Mississippi. This
sinuous ridge was created by the deposit of sediments
where a stream once ran under a glacier. The ridge’s west
slope is mostly open and dominated by a remnant oak
savanna and dry prairie. In contrast, the east slope
supports a diverse deciduous woods, including maple
and basswood. The actual esker is about three miles long.
A section of the esker is owned by the Nature
Conservancy and is protected as a Minnesota Scientific
and Natural Area.
Camp Ripley Military Reservation is located on the
river’s west bank. It extends 18 river miles downstream
from the confluence with the Crow Wing River. The land
is owned by the State of Minnesota and managed by the
Minnesota Department of Military Affairs. The Camp
covers 53,000 acres and serves as a training facility for
National Guard and MNDNR units. Camp Ripley
supports numerous environmental programs, and special
uses of its lands, such as deer hunting for disabled
veterans. Timberwolves have made a comeback here.
The Camp is known today for its winter training
programs, and hosts troops from around the world.
Troops have been stationed here since the early 19th
century.
Downstream of Camp Ripley, the Mississippi’s
channel is broken by the Thousand Islands, created about
100 years ago when logs jammed the shallow river. The
largest log jam in the world formed north of Little Falls
in 1893-4. It started at the Northern Pacific railroad
bridge and extended up the Mississippi some 6-1/2 miles
long, 1/2 mile wide and 30 to 60 feet deep. There were
about 4-1/2 billion board feet of lumber in the jam. It
took 150 men, five teams of horses, and one steam
engine about six months to break it up. Some logs
remained in place, gathering sediment and eventually
becoming the islands that break the river’s path today.
Just upstream of Little Falls, Belle Prairie Park
offers day use. A Catholic mission was established here
in the 19th century, led by Father Pierz, who traveled
extensively throughout the lands held by Ojibwe people.
A stand of virgin white pine is tended by the Franciscan
Sisters who operate a convent and boarding school east
of the river. A replica of the original log cabin convent
can be seen next to the Belle Prairie
church. Belle Prairie Park contains
a remnant of the Red River Ox Cart
Trail, which linked fur trading posts
in the Red River Valley with St.
Paul, before the Civil War.
The confluence of the
Mississippi and the Little Elk River,
just north of Little Falls, is the site
of Fort Duquesne, a colonial
outpostbuilt by the Marins, an
influential family who controlled the French interest west
of Green Bay in the early 1750s. The area was also home
to Ojibway leader Hole-In-The-Day, the site of a church
mission and an early town site.
HEADWATERS RESOURCES
MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
1601 Minnesota Drive, Brainerd, MN 56401
(218) 833-8715
CROW WING STATE PARK
7100 State Park Rd. SW, Brainerd, MN 56401
(218) 825-3075
BRAINERD LAKES AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
6th & Washington Sts. PO Box 356,
Brainerd, MN 56401-0356
(218) 829-2838 • 1(800) 450-2838
LITTLE FALLS AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
200 1st St. NW, Little Falls, MN 56345-1365
(320) 632-5155
SUSTAINABLE ECOSYSTEMS
Outdoor recreation is dependent on a healthy and
attractive natural environment. Sustainable outdoor
recreation enables people to enjoy the outdoors without
negative impacts on the environment. Communities
working together can improve water resources by
promoting environmentally sensitive land-use practices
along rivers and throughout watersheds. Natural
shoreline buffers improve water quality by filtering out
pollutants and sediments. Healthy and diverse native
shoreline plant
communities are
attractive and provide
important habitat for
birds and wildlife.