Top Stops Along the River Road Route

The mighty Mississippi River is a defining feature of the U.S. landscape. It’s also a central character in many of its best stories. Following this massive river on a trip down Great River Road is as romantic a notion as anything Huck Finn could cook up for a rafting adventure down the big muddy.

Great River Road is actually a series of state highways that follow the river along the east and west banks of the Mississippi. Designated and marked with official signs, some parts of the road are listed as a National Scenic Byway. In total, approximately 3,000 miles of road follow the river's course through 10 states.

The 36-hour trip is one of inspiring beauty, rich history and a wide range of American culture. From Norwegian-American towns in the north, to Cajun country in the south, the River Road Route is a must-see experience. Here are our highlights.

Itasca State Park

Where does the Mississippi River begin? It all starts at Lake Itasca in northern Minnesota where the banks of the lake flow over a ridge of rocks on its northern edge. Hop the rocks or wade the 20 feet across the river at its origins – a big draw for visitors – to take an Insta-worthy photo next to the headwaters monument that marks the spot.

Explore more of the mighty river's modest beginnings at the 32,000-acre Itasca State Park, the oldest state park in Minnesota, where you can hike 49 miles of trails through old-growth red pine forests. Campsites and cabins are available overnight, and you can rent a range of watercraft, from pontoons to kayaks and canoes, to explore the park's 100-plus lakes.

Stonefield Historic Site

From St. Paul, Minnesota, head south on Hwy 35 along the Wisconsin border. The Mississippi on this stretch is filled with bluff-top views of beautiful waterscapes and wooded islands that dot the river. At Wyalusing State Park, stand at the confluence of the Wisconsin and Mississippi. You’ll be at the same spot as Marquette and Joliet, the first explorers to navigate the river in 1673.

A few miles south, stop at Nelson Dewey State Park. This scenic park is home to the Stonefield Historic Site, the former estate of Wisconsin’s first governor, Nelson Dewey. The Stonefield village is a replica of a late-1800s farmstead community with more than 30 buildings, including a general store, blacksmith shop, schoolhouse and other social institutions. Pick up a plow and try to imagine what early farming life was like along the river.

Galena

As you cross into Illinois on Highway 20, be sure to check out the storybook town of Galena, one of the most charming on the Great River Road route. Tall bluffs surround well-preserved historic buildings that date to the mid-19th century.

The 1826 Dowling House is the town's oldest building and first trading post that now serves as a museum with tours – so be sure to check their schedule. Visit the home of Ulysses S. Grant, a gift to the Civil War general and president from the townspeople. For spectacular views of the river and three states, climb Horseshoe Mound on the outskirts of town.
 

Great Rivers Museum

Just north of St. Louis, stop for a tour of National Great Rivers Museum in Alton, Illinois. Learn about the ecology and commerce of the Mississippi and take advantage of the pilot house simulator to experience a working model of the system of locks and dams that make river traffic possible.

If you’d prefer to take your time admiring the Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway, why not pedal down the Sam Vadalabene Bike Trail? The 20-mile route runs parallel to the river along IL Route 100. The trail ends at Pere Marquette State Park, the largest state park in Illinois and a winter home to bald eagles.

Cahokia Mounds

Veer a few miles east to Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site just outside St. Louis. The World Heritage Site consists of 80 earthen mounds that were part of a bustling native American civilization of about 20,000 inhabitants that lived in the area from AD 700 to 1400. Learn about these early people, their customs, daily life and the Mississippian culture of the region.

Excavations are ongoing at the site, and the Cahokia Museum and Interpretive Center will be closed for renovation until spring 2023. However, visitors can still explore the hiking trails and climb the steps of Monks Mound, the largest of its kind in North America, to enjoy sweeping views of the ancient settlement.

Delta Blues

Head south from Memphis into the state of Mississippi to enter ‘blues alley’ in Delta blues country – the blues style known for its soulful slide guitar and harmonica, a big part of the river region's culture in the early 1900s. Explore formative music and life in the delta at Delta Blues Museum in Clarksdale, Mississippi, housed in a historic railroad depot. Exhibits include the childhood shack of blues legend Muddy Waters and guitars belonging to greats B.B. King and John Lee Hooker.
 

The beauty and variety found along Great River Road is unrivaled and more than photo-worthy. Share your own river adventure photos with us on Instagram.