The Mississippi River Challenge route features both the Minnesota and Mississippi rivers this year.

Photo: Matt Holland

Due the recent discovery of Asian carp in Winona, Minn., FMR is choosing to alter the Mississippi River Challenge route to avoid going through the locks and do our part to help slow the spread of Asian carp in the Upper Mississippi River. While the second day of the Mississippi River Challenge will remain the same (paddlers travel from Fort Snelling State Park to Grey Cloud Island), the first day will take paddlers on the Minnesota River this year, launching from Bloomington Ferry Park. Lunch will take place at the Russell A. Sorenson Landing, where the half-day paddlers will join the rest of the crew for the remainder of the first day. After a brief, secluded rest stop in the afternoon, paddlers will end at Ft. Snelling State Park for the Night at the Fort festivities.

The new route will take paddlers through the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge and Fort Snelling State Park. Both parks are incredible recreational assets in the metro area, presenting a unique opportunity to get to know a valuable tributary of the Mississippi River. Along the route, paddlers will encounter stunning floodplain forest, have opportunities to view wildlife, hear about FMR’s important work on water quality, enjoy the company of fellow paddlers, encounter new places, and still enjoy the great celebration at Historic Fort Snelling!

Because we’re entering new territory, we need even more volunteers for the Riverfront Support Crew this year. From serving food to handling boats to administering first aid, support crew volunteers perform a variety of essential roles at beautiful riverfront locations. If you’re paddling, please recommend volunteering to friends and family — it’s a great way to guarantee that you’ll see one another during the event, plus if they sign up for more than one 2- or 3-hour volunteer shift they’ll be invited to join you for the Night at the Fort festivities free of charge!

For more information

• For more information on the event or the new route, please contact Adam via email or at 651-222-2193 x30.
• If you’re interested in volunteering, please let us know through the Riverfront Support Crew contact form, or contact Katie at 651-222-2193 x23.
• To register or make a pledge of support, please visit MississippiRiverChallenge.org.