Minnesota’s Rivers

The crisp, clear rivers are among Minnesota’s most precious natural resources. What start as small streams swell into grand rivers, supplying community after community with fresh drinking water, places to recreate, and stunning habitat for birds, fish, and other wildlife. 

But in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, rivers like the iconic Mississippi, Minnesota, and St. Croix have historically been utilized for commerce and industrial use, rather than recreation like their lake counterparts. These industries left many rivers and their tributaries as dumping grounds for waste and pollution, or primarily viewed as prime locations for development. 

Today, Minnesotans want to enjoy and recreate on the natural lands that make these rivers so special. Trust for Public Land is working with local communities from Lake Itasca to the Twin Cities to the Wisconsin and Iowa borders to reconnect people to the landscapes along these beautiful waterways. From swimming and canoeing on a hot summer’s day, or ice fishing and cross-country skiing during subzero temperatures, these rivers and protected lands along them are favorited for rest, retreat, and recreation for millions of Minnesotans and visitors alike. 

Some of our state’s river systems hold cultural significance and meaning to local tribes and Indigenous communities. We’re partnering together to recover, restore, and protect the spaces they hold sacred, ensuring access and preservation forever. 

Fragmented ownership impedes public access, development and agricultural conversion wipes out nearby forests and degrades water quality, and a rapidly changing climate puts public access, critical habitat, and many recreational benefits at risk. Together, we can protect these rivers, the lands surrounding them, and create access points so everyone can enjoy these majestic places for generations to come. 

Download the One-Pager