Mississippi Gorge Regional Park — Attraction in Minneapolis

Mississippi Gorge could be a great park if the city did a better job keeping it clean, controlling erosion, and removing invasive species of plants. Often a dumping ground for large unwanted items and a homeless encampment, raw sewage was flowing only a couple of years ago into the gorge from the neighborhood. Considerable effort by local volunteers has improved the native species of plants, but buckthorn can still be encountered on slopes. The annual Earth Day cleanup organized by Friends of the Mississippi River has become essential spring cleaning for its upkeep. The river is not really accessible as it should be to connect with...

A very popular riverfront park in the heart of the city, and if part of the trail weren't paved you'd swear you were out in the wilderness. Those who are bolder and in good shape can go deeper into the wild on natural dirt trails, the lowest of which is only suitable for rugged hikers. In the autumn the trees along the river are brilliant golds and reds with inviting frequent photo ops. Known to the locals, we live farther away and weren't aware of how much we were missing even though we drive the river road frequently. We will definitely...

The Mississippi bluff along West River Road is a great place to walk, run, bicycle, and skate. The paved paths are accessible with gentle, long wheelchair ramps at every intersection and parking lot.

Leaving the paved paths down any of the dirt trails (inaccessible for people limited abilities) into the woods is wonderful. There are birds, animals, shade, and unmaintained, black diamond cross-country ski paths; even treacherous paths all the way down the gorge to the river bank for people with courage and/or...