The Mississippi River Trail
December 9, 2008 by Darren Alff
The following is a guest article by Bob Robinson, author of the “Bicycling Guide to the Mississippi River Trail.”
This is the time when cyclists start planning their tours for the coming year. Some will be looking to depart on an extended cross-country adventure, while others search for an exciting multi-day tour. But before you make any plans, consider a new bike route, which accommodates all types of riders.
As it follows the Mississippi River corridor from its headwaters in northern Minnesota to the southernmost point in Louisiana, the Mississippi River Trail (MRT) provides a 3,000-plus-mile ride through America’s heartland. For those cyclists looking for an enjoyable multi-day tour—by crossing the river on one of the many biker friendly bridges, or via a ferry ride—the options for extended multi-day loop tours are unlimited.
Although the Mississippi River Trail Project was first conceived in 1996, it wasn’t until this year that a designated bike route along the entire length of the Mississippi River had been established. It was not until the publication of Bicycling Guide to the Mississippi River Trail in August of this year that the entire route had been fully documented, including maps, turn-by-turn directions, points of interest, and services. From the ankle deep headwaters of the Mississippi River, as it flows over the natural rock spillway of Lake Itasca, to when it empties into the Gulf of Mexico, the MRT does a great job of following the corridor of this mighty waterway. The route planners utilized existing roadways, and where available bike/pedestrian pathways, to guide cyclists to the many recreational and historical destinations along the corridor. Since early explorers, the Mississippi River was a major means of transportation; therefore, many of the communities have been accommodating travelers for generations and are adjusting to serve the needs of two wheeled travelers.
The Mississippi River starts out as a small narrow stream, linking many of the lakes in northern Minnesota. The early miles of the MRT follow rural roads, crisscrossing the river as cyclists tour the state’s lake resort region. In the twin cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, the route follows the Grand Rounds Scenic Byway along the Mississippi River banks past St. Anthony Falls, the only falls on the river. As the route continues south to Hastings, you have the option of crossing the river to ride Wisconsin’s MRT. If you choose to ride in Wisconsin, be sure to visit the Great River Road Visitor and Learning Center in Prescott. There are interesting displays related to the area’s history and the location high atop the bluff provides a unique view of the confluence of the St. Croix River as its blue waters merge with the brown waters of the Mississippi River. Both Minnesota and Wisconsin have their own unique features that make for an interesting bike tour. Cyclists can’t go wrong when choosing which bank of the river to follow.
History along the Mississippi River did not begin with the arrival of European explorers. All along the length of the river cyclists pass remnants of early Native American cultures. Iowa has a must stop for cyclists at the Effigy Mounds National Monument. Park your bike at the visitor center and hike the Fire Point Trail and see mounds built 1,400 years ago that are in the shape of a bear. There are also the Winterville Mounds State Park and Emerald Mound Site in Mississippi. The MRT also passes Mastodon State Historical Site in Missouri, where you can see a replica of a male adult mastodon.
Along with exhibits about Native American history, as you ride the MRT you will also see evidence of early European influence. In Ste. Genevieve, MO, the Bolduc House, with its vertical-log walls, is regarded as one of the most authentically restored Creole houses in the nation. (I asked the tour guide why the vertical-logs? She just shrugged and said, “What can I say, they’re French.”) Also in Missouri, Kaskaskia was once the center of French colonial administration for the Middle Mississippi River. It was called “The Paris of the West.”
Cyclists will visit places along the entire length of the MRT that they will remember from their early American history classes, such as the explorations of Lewis and Clark. There are exhibits in Charleston, MO where the explorers camped as they trained their party on the skills they would need on their voyage. The MRT also passes by the Lewis and Clark State Historic Site in Illinois. This is a modern museum with many interactive displays that focus on the adventures of the explorers. On its southern section, the MRT passes through the cities of Vicksburg and Natchez where the Civil War comes to life as the result of their preservation efforts. Who would have thought riding a bicycle across the country could be so educational?
In southern Missouri the MRT reaches the northernmost regions of the Mississippi alluvial plain. If you had been standing in this area 12,000 years ago you would have been underwater in the Gulf of Mexico. As the gulf waters receded the Mississippi Delta was formed. As you ride along the MRT through the delta regions in Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana you pass rich bottom farmland and an abundance of wildlife. The crescent shaped oxbow lakes you’ll ride past create habitats that lure waterfowl from across the country. At times the MRT routes cyclists along the top of the river levee. As you ride along the top of these enormous levees, with the mile-wide Mississippi River at your side, reflect back to the small stream you waded across at the beginning of your journey. You and the river have come a long way during your MRT adventure.
MRT, Inc. is the governing body behind the creation of the Mississippi River Trail. The board members and management staff have unselfishly contributed to making the MRT a reality. It is their goal to make this a world-class bicycling route that will guide cyclists through the 10 states that border the Mississippi River. To accomplish this goal they work diligently to encourage use of the MRT. One means of encouraging cyclists to ride the route is to offer those who have ridden the length of the MRT, either as a cross-country ride, or a series of multi-day tours, an official Certificate of Completion award. This award will be signed by the Executive Director of MRT, Inc. and include a serial number reflecting the order in which the recipient has completed the ride in relation to other cyclists. So when compiling your New Year’s resolutions, add obtaining your Certificate of Completion to the list.
About The Author, Bob Robinson:
When I first began planning my ride on the Mississippi River Trail, the route was somewhat difficult to determine. Working closely with the executive director of the MRT, Inc., Terry Eastin, I collected contacts with the various organizations that contributed to the path the route follows through the 10 states that it crosses. With the help of these contacts (wonderful people who I thank dearly), I was able to trace the entire designated route of the MRT. As one of those people who like to know something about the area I am riding through, I began researching the surrounding environment of the Mississippi River corridor. The more I learned about the history of the Mississippi River and the communities along the river the more I was drawn into its story. The end result of this research and the ride is my “Bicycling Guide to the Mississippi River Trail.” As I explain in the book, it is not intended as a personal journal of my adventures while riding the MRT. The guide is a collection of relevant materials for cyclists to use to create their own adventures. My intention was to create a guidebook that would include all necessary information that cyclists need to plan and ride the MRT, and still limit the book to a manageable size that would be convenient for cyclists to carry with them. To learn more about the Mississippi River Trail go to www.mississippirivertrail.org, where you can also order a copy of the guidebook.
That sounds like a great trail. What is the trail itself like? Does it share the road with cars?
Is that the same as the Great Rivers trail that I heard Adventure Cycling talking about? It sounds similar, but I think they mentioned it going through Nashville.
Trevor, the MRT is a designated bicycle route. Where available it does follow existing separated bicycle trails, however most of the route utilizes highways that follow the Mississippi River corridor. It is a great ride. There is awesome scenery, wildlife, and history that make it interesting and fun.
Karen, while researching the Mississippi River Trail (MRT) I saw the Great Rivers (GR) route discussed by Adventure Cycling. The two routes do overlap in some areas in the midsection of the country, however from what I could tell the GR doesn’t begin at the Mississippi River headwaters in Minnesota. Also, the GR veers eastward in Kentucky then angles across the state of Mississippi, and the GR doesn’t follow the Mississippi River to its southern most point in Louisiana, where it empties into the Gulf of Mexico. I’m sure the GR is an enjoyable ride, because Adventure Cycling does some great rides, but to really experience the Mississippi River adventure I think you need to follow the river corridor like the MRT does.
So glad to see this article and will order the book. I’m thinking seriously about riding the full route this spring-summer and have been combing the web for information. Would love to hear from anyone who has done this trip. Also interested in group tours. I’ve found a couple, but none scheduled for 2009.
Over the past few years I have ridden a lot of the MRT as mini-tours. I like to ride sections that have the route on both sides of the river so I can make a loop out of it and not have to arrange shuttles. This past fall I had the new guide book and it was a lot easier to follow the route. The directions on the MRT website were incomplete.
It has been an enjoyable ride. I hope to finish it completely someday and get my certificate of completion.
Bob, if you had time to only ride for two weeks, what part of the trail would you cover?
That’s a really tough question to answer. When I rode the MRT people would ask me my favorite sections and I’d always answer, “whatever part I’m riding.” But if I only had a couple weeks to ride, I would start at the headwaters at Lake Itasca and follow the MRT south as far as I had time for. You should really enjoy riding the rural roads the route follows in northern Minnesota as it follows the Mississippi River. You’ll pass a lot of lakes, state parks, and forests. Then you’ll ride through the Minneapolis and St. Paul areas on some really nice separated bike paths. The paths run right along the river bank, with a lot of historic displays about the river and the area.
South of the twin cities I recommend crossing the Mississippi River at Hastings, into Prescott, Wisconsin. It’s not that there isn’t a lot to see in Minnesota after Hastings, but unless you are going to ride the MRT on both sides of the river, I would ride in Wisconsin here. It’s a really smooth highway through here with some really great views of the river. You’ll also get to ride the Great River Trail taking this route. The trail is crushed limestone, but I didn’t have any problems with 700/32 tires.
Everyone’s daily mileage is different, so I’m not sure how far you’d get in two weeks, but if you still have a couple days remaining when you reach La Crosse, I recommend crossing the river back into Minnesota. This will put you on a course to cross into Iowa to see Effigy Mounds National Monument.
Yes, I think this would be a great route. However, if you stop here you’re going to miss a lot of picturesque river towns in Iowa and Missouri, plus the 100 hundred miles of scenic separated bike paths in Illinois. Then there’s the Chain of Rocks Bridge that was part of the famous Route 66. You’ll also miss the opportunity to layover in Memphis and New Orleans a couple days to enjoy some great food and music. And you’re going to miss out on the “delta” experience. So I guess you’re going to have to come back and ride the entire MRT.
Enjoy!
Bob,
Any thoughts on the tradeoffs of doing the MRT from South to North vs. N to S?
N to S seems more in keeping with the “natural” order of things, but S to N seems like it may offer weather advantages for a Spring/early Summer start. [Such as South winds [?] & escaping from the hot, humid segments early in the tour ]….
Looking forward to reading the book; thanks for making it available !
Clint
I apologize for not responding to you sooner.
When I rode the MRT for the guidebook I went north to south because, like you said, it just seems like the natural direction to follow. I liked the idea of witnessing the transformation of the river from a small stream to the huge river it becomes. As I rode south my affection for the river grew and continued to build the further south I went until the climax with reaching the sign at the Southernmost Point in Louisiana. I don’t know if following a south to north route would result in those same feelings. Finishing at the headwaters, at the point of its origination, might make you appreciate the river even more. That is food for thought. When anyone does finish a south to north ride please let me know about your experience.
You are right, overall the wind does favor a south to north ride. I don’t feel it is enough to plan your entire trip around it. And if you are beginning your ride in the spring you should start in the south. As warm as it can be in Louisiana you could begin in the winter. I’ve ridden my bike in February down there when it was in the upper 70’s. I know that the MRT in Mississippi and Louisiana is a popular bike tour during Spring Break.
Thanks for your interest. Enjoy you MRT adventure.
Bob Robinson, the author of “Bicycling Guide to the Mississippi River Trail” just emailed me to let me know about his new website at: http://www.spiritscreek.com that is intended to be used as a communication tool for cyclists riding the MRT. The site is in the early stages, but it might provide some extra support for those wanting more information about this specific route.
Bob,
I’m planning a trip from Fayetteville, AR to Atlanta, GA. I am having trouble finding bicycle friendly crossings of the Mississippi River. It looks as if Hwy 49 around Helena may be a possibility but are there are any north of Memphis?
Thanks,
Philip
We just hatched the absurdly exciting idea of taking our family on the MRT for the last half of summer and into autumn, making the whole trek on bike. We have 5 kids, ages 11 years on down to 1 year, and would tent camp the majority of nights. Is there anyone who has ventured out on the trail with children? Are we nuts??
I don’t think taking your family down the Mississippi is a crazy idea at all. In fact, I think it’s a great idea!
When I rode my my bike down the Great Rivers Route in 2004, I came across a group of “blind bikers”. These blind bikers were kids between the age of 14 and 17 who were physcially blind. They could not see. And they were riding on tandem bicycles (with a seeing person in the front) down the Natchez Trace for three days straight.
The best part about the Mississippi River Train and that whole area is that it is relatively flat. There aren’t a lot of hills and the roads are mainly free of cars.
Teri, you should have a great time on your travels. And your family should have a great time as well. Just be as safe as you can. Maybe consider getting a mirror so you and the kids can see behind themselves at all times (http://www.bicycletouringpro.com/store/products/mirrors/index.php)… and enjoy every moment!
i plan on riding the southern tier route from san diego, ca to st. augustine, fl., but plan on doing the mrt first. i have always been awed by the magnificent mississippi river. i plan on going from north to south. any takers wanna go with me? i am a “rookie” at this but have done a few centuries in 9 hours. i plan on doing this to see america, not be a greg lemond. takers?
im riding the mrt. im gonna start in chicago take the american discovery trail west til i get to port byron, from there heading south til whenever i feel is time to come back home. this will be my first tour. i hope everything goes well. anybody got any advice. im leaving october 4th…