Mississippi River Trail Maps and Route Tips

North 71 to Itasca State Park

Many cyclists have expressed interest in our route and asked us to share our experience.  Detailed daily route maps are outlined on the blog at the end of each day's summary.  The mileages may not be exact as the daily totals referenced on the blog include distances we travelled during side trips to stores, historic sites, viewpoints etc.

Cycle Tour Route Overview - Mississippi River Trail 

Natchez Trace Parkway

Based on the suggestion of another cyclist, we decided to try and navigate the trip without the use of GPS.  We relied on the old school map and compass.  Our intent was to interact with people along the way, and we discovered nothing is a better conversation ice breaker than 2 middle aged Canadian cyclists miles away from home standing on the roadside reviewing a map!  Although, we likely were lost more often than necessary and added numerous miles to our trip we would leave the GPS at home again!  Our fondest memories are of the people who stopped to help us when we were lost and needing help the most!

There are countless resources available on the web to help plan a cycle tour.  We found the following resources invaluable:

Bicycling Guide to the Mississippi River Trail - Bob Robinson

Mississippi River Trail

Adventure Cycling Association - Great Rivers South Map

Bike Louisiana

League of Illinois Bicyclists

State Department Of Transportation county maps

     Illinois Bike Maps by County
     Wisconsin County Bike Maps

Warm Showers - even if you don't plan to stay with a warm showers host, email them and ask for route guidance.  We found they were always happy to help.

Local Knowledge - you can't beat it for the inside scoop on routes, history, camping spots, road closures, eateries ....and colourful characters!

Ste. Genevieve Moduc Ferry Crossing - Flash lights for Service

Tips:

Detailed county maps were a huge help...especially when we were lost.  We had hoped to be able to pick these up at Visitor Centres along the way.  Unfortunately, we often arrived at the Centres during off hours.  We would suggest finding these maps prior to your trip.  These county maps were also valuable during the times we found errors on cue sheets and route maps.

Visitor Centre - Land Between Lakes, Tennessee

Don't discount old school navigation...the sun rises in the east, sets in the west and the compass points north.  During the many twists and turns of the mighty Mississippi River we found ourselves disoriented and had to  remind ourselves to look at the sun!

Challenges:

We discovered that road conditions varied by county.

Signage was often poor and we quickly learned that a change in road condition usually meant we had crossed a county line.   Road names and road numbers also changed by county and often the same road would have more than one name and/or number.  Additionally, often the back country roads weren't signed at all - so it was difficult to verify turns and keeping accurate mileage readings became crucial.

MRT sign and a Bike route sign....pure joy!

We were always thrilled and appreciative to be riding sections that were well signed!

Planning:

Planning is important.  Having said that, we found being flexible, adaptable and willing to change our route based on our own interests and road/weather conditions brought us many of our thrills and most memorable experiences.

River Crossing

Happy Cycling!

Roller Coaster Ride and we are not at Six Flags - Galena, Illinois

Day 12  Potosi (Grant River Recreation Area) to Savannah, Illinois (Palisades State Park) - 67.2 miles

Today was a shock to our systems....after enjoying the relatively flat route through Wisconsin, we received a wake up call.  We were faced with numerous steep climbs...one of them was a 15% grade.  Of course what goes up, must come down, so we were also treated to some incredibly long descents.  We found ourselves finding the precarious balance between building enough speed, but maintaining control as we screamed down the hills to make it at least half way up the next one.  I found myself actually talking to my bike on the downhills -  "Glide baby Glide!"

15% grade on Black Jack Road

On one of the steeper descents Rob was hurtling downhill, when he hit a pothole....the bump was big enough to send our camera flying off his bike to miraculously land on a bridge - the perfect Kodak moment!  Thank goodness we purchased the water proof, shock proof, come flying off you bike camera.

We had heard that Galena is one of the treasures of the Mississippi River Trail, so we planned to enjoy lunch and explore the town.  All of the historic buildings along Main Street have been maintained and are now a series of shops and restaurants.  We were fascinated by the huge floodgate at the end of town.  We learned that during a flood they will close the flood gate in order to save the historic part of town.  Unfortunately, that comes at the expense of people on the other side of the river.....a decision to close that gate must be a very difficult one!

It was a wonderful afternoon in Galena and we would encourage anyone travelling this way to make time to stop in.

Historic Galena

Giggle of the day:

We decided to visit Gobbies Sports Pub on Main Street in Galena.  The host took one look at us and gave us priority seating on the outdoor patio.  He thought we were involved in the local triathalon.....we went along with it....as we felt we deserved a seat and a piece of pizza!  We liked the pizza so much that Rob boxed up the leftovers.  I am sure people passing us later in the day, must have thought he was the world's slowest pizza delivery man!

Pizza Delivery? - Galena

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The Driftless area - or are we driftless??

Day 11 - Ferryville to Potosi (Grant River Recreation Area) 83.4 miles

Energized by Jean's coffee and the warm wishes of Mike, Joanne and Teresa we hit the road.  Conditions were absolutely perfect for riding - the rain let up, it was cool, they sky was grey and overcast...these were conditions we were familiar with!  Traffic was light and we enjoyed another morning cycling along the bluffs.  Today they seemed so close that we could almost touch them as we rode along.

Great River Road, Wisconsin

The eagles were soaring almost as if they were showing us the way.  Cardinals..more than we have ever seen, lined the route.  We were in Prairie de Chien (2nd oldest city in Wisconsin, 1673) before we knew it and settled in at the Hungry House Cafe for the Everything but the Kitchen Sink breakfast special!  Highly recommended we would like to add.

Fresh fruit at the Hungry House Cafe, Prairie de Chien, Wisconsin

Our afternoon route took us away from the  river, lots of rolling hills and a few tough climbs, but the panoramic views at the top were worth the climbs.  We were in what is called the driftless area, lots of deep valley ridges and bluffs.  

We ended our day at the Grant River Recreation Area (a US Army Corps. of Engineers site)just outside of Potosi, camped right beside the Mississippi River and enjoyed watching the sun set. 

Grant River Recreation Area on the Mississippi River

View of the Mississippi River from our tent

We met a group of kayakers who invited us to their campsite for a beer and to share stories.  They were getting ready to paddle the Grant River.

Giggle of the day:

Potosi is famous for having the LONGEST Main Street in the world without any intersections....and we rode the entire Main Street twice because we missed our turn.  Yes - we were lost again.  On the bright side, it was all uphill, but there was a beer store at the summit.

Does Budweiser make you wiser?

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Fame in Ferryville, WI

Day 10  Merrick State Park to Ferryville (Sugar Creek Park Campground)  82.5 miles

We would like to thank Bob Robinson author of Bicycling Guide to the Mississippi River Trail.  As Bob says the guidebook "is a collection of relevant materials for cyclists to use to create their own adventures."  We have been plotting many of our own routes, but today we sought Bob's advice and were thrilled with the route.  Thank you Bob!

This morning we were able to travel over 40 miles on dedicated bike trail....unbelievable.  We cycled through Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge....a conservationists dream!  We saw numerous birds - white pelicans, egrets....the list goes on and on.   

Entrance to Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge

Trampealeau, Wisconsin

After leaving Trempeleau, we joined the Great River Trail - over 20 miles of converted railway covered with crushed limestone.  The scenery was breathtaking.....although the pedalling was a little harder on the gravel - it was worth every minute we spent.  We saw marshland, prairie, trestle bridges, turtles and countless birds!

Great River Trail, Wisconsin

After leaving La Crosse, we were back on the Great River Road.....we were sad to be back on highway, but quickly got over it as we enjoyed the bluffs on one side and the river on the other.....and the Mississippi continues to grow.  It is hard to imagine that only a week ago we walked across her!

Giggle of the day.

We stopped for the night in Ferryville at the Sugar Creek Park Campground - one of the oldest campgrounds in the region.  As we were unloading our gear, we had the honour to meet Sherry and Larry Quamme.  They were incredibly warm and welcoming and shared the story of their son's trip from Canada to New Orleans.  He managed to do the trip in 18 days......legs of steel!

Sugar Creek Park Campground - Ferryville, Wisconsin

Larry and Sherry were busy getting ready for the  Rummage Along the River event.....a giant garage sale spanning 70 miles.  They warned us that we may be woken up in the morning with folks setting up for the event!

Before they left they took our picture of the Ferryville facebook page.....who knows - a star is born?

A storm rolled in overnight...rain, thunder and lighting so we were a little late getting out of bed.  We were savouring our morning coffee and oatmeal, when Jean arrived to set up for the Rummage Along the River event.  She kindly made us a cup of fresh brew....we were just finishing up when Mike and Joanne arrived with a hearty Ferryville welcome, soon to be joined by Teresa.  A friendlier, more welcoming bunch you will never meet.  They talk about southern hospitality, but we think Ferryville has a brand of hospitality all of its own.  Thank you Ferryville.

Should you be planning a trip down the MRT - be sure to check out Ferryville...you won't be disappointed.

www.visitferryville.com

 or find them on Facebook - ferryvillewitourism

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Hello Wisconsin

Day 9 - Afton State Park to Merrick State Park - Fountain City Wisconsin

90.2 miles

Today was a great day....we started early in the morning and enjoyed a picnic breaky at St. Croix State Park.  We rode through Prescott and made our way to the eastern bank of the Mississippi River.....it was great to see the river again after our evening in St. Paul.

Prescott, Wisconsin

We followed the Great River Road for miles, visiting numerous historic sites.  The route is beautiful....bluffs on one side and the river on the other.  Eagles soared above the bluffs.  Our route took us past Lake Pepin, a 28 mile stretch.

Lake Pepin, Wisconsin

Great River Road, Wisconsin

We stopped for a rest break just outside of Pepin.  We were sprawled on a picnic table trying to rid ourselves of the days aches and pains when along came Noel.  Noel noticed our gear and took great delight in talking about his trip down the river to New Orleans some 20 years ago.  He was out training for the Lake Pepin 3 Speed Tour...the goal...go as slow as possible and visit as many coffee shops and bakeries as you can along the way - no lycra allowed!  He invited us to join the other 90 riders for the weekend event.

Dinner was at the Alma bar and cafe just across from Lock #4.  When the gang in the restaurant learned we were from Canada they quickly tested our french as they said we would need it in Canjun country.  We giggled as they taught us how to say bonjour!

We were excited to get to our campsite at Merrick State Park....it is a beautiful spot right on the river...but, before we could enjoy the view we enjoyed a HOT SHOWER.....and that's where we met Kurt and Betty.  They kindly told Rob where to find the good water....DON'T DRINK THE STUFF FROM THE FOUNTAIN - IT'S SWAMP WATER!  They were busy settling in to their campsite, hanging up fruit for the birds and lining their entrance way with American flags.  Rob and I wondered if they would notice the fruit missing?  We have really struggled to buy fresh fruit and veggies.....

Giggle of the day:

We woke up at 5am to the sound of  gobble gobble outside our tent.  Two wild turkeys were challenging us to a Turkey Territory battle.    Wild turkeys at 5am - WHO KNEW?

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