The Great River Road is longest designated scenic drive in Minnesota. Established in 1938 as the national parkway of the Mississippi River, the Great River Road travels nearly 3,000 miles through 10 states. In Minnesota, it runs for more than 500 miles along the Mississippi River, from the pristine headwaters of the Mississippi in Itasca State Park past verdant forests and the central lakes region, through the “twin” metros of Minneapolis and St. Paul, to the splendid bluffs of Minnesota’s southeastern border. Seven other scenic drives connect to Minnesota's Great River Road.
The northern section of the national Great River Road includes three state historic sites: Forest History Center in Grand Rapids, Charles Lindbergh boyhood home and museum in Little Falls, and Oliver H. Kelley Farm in Elk River. The route also includes the Paul Bunyan Playhouse and a sculpture walk in Bemidji, and the Munsinger Gardens in St. Cloud
Six distinct regions with unique travel experiences have been designated along the Minnesota Great River Road. Travelers may choose one segment for a day or two, or take in the entire Minnesota route over a week’s time.
More info: 763-212-2560, Mississippi Parkway Commission; www.MnMississippiRiver.com
Ideas for Exploring the Great River Road Byway - Northern Minnesota