Guided Minneapolis Riverfront Walking Tours with Bill Idzorek, National Park Ranger

National Park Ranger Bill Idzorek

The Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, our local National Park, provides a unique blend of urban and natural experiences, connecting visitors to the ecological, historical, and cultural significance of the Mississippi River, many taking place right here in Minneapolis. Mississippi Park Connection, the nonprofit partner of the park, coordinates and provides a multitude of opportunities for people to get to and on the river - and have a national park experience in the Twin Cities. We wanted to know more about the guided walking tours, and a discussion with Bill Idzorek, Park Ranger and Minnesota Master Naturalist, gave us a thorough understanding of what we might see and experience in the free walking programs - abundant wildlife, old mill foundations, indigenous landmarks and more. See the calendar here and register for a fabulous – did I mention it’s free of cost? - event in our backyard.

Q:  How do you decide which stories to include on a walking tour?

A:  Our guided walking tours along the Mississippi River focus on stories that are well researched, meaningful to the places visitors encounter, and reflective of the river’s natural, cultural, and historical significance. Rangers shape their program around their expertise and interests, often weaving geology, ecology, Indigenous histories, and the industrial heritage that transformed Minneapolis and contributed to our nation’s story.

Q:  Many people think of Minneapolis as the City of Lakes. How has the Mississippi River shaped the city's history?

A:  While many people think first of Minneapolis as a city of lakes, the Mississippi River - especially Owamniyomni/St. Anthony Falls - is the reason the city exists. Its power fueled lumber and flour milling, sparked rapid population growth, and shaped transportation routes, while continuing to influence the region’s (and country’s) economy, identity, and landscape today.

Q:  What are some surprising facts about the river that even longtime Minneapolis residents may not know?

A:  Visitors - and residents - are often surprised to learn how dynamic the river has been over time: from its small beginnings at Lake Itasca to the fact that St. Anthony Falls is the river’s only major natural waterfall. Many don’t realize how severely polluted the river once was, or how dramatically it has rebounded. Today, it supports bald eagles, great blue herons, cormorants, otters, fish, and mussels in the heart of the city. They’re also surprised that the Mississippi isn’t North America’s longest river; the Missouri is slightly longer, though the Mississippi watershed is the continent’s largest.

Above and below, Idzorek leads a tour across the Stone Arch Bridge and Father Hennepin Bluff Park

Q:  What evidence of Minneapolis' river history can visitors still see today?

A:  The Stone Arch Bridge, historic mill ruins, preserved industrial buildings, and the falls engineered spillway all reveal how the city developed around the river. Often-overlooked details - limestone cliffs, remnants of rail lines, old mill foundations, interpretive signs, and the shifted location of the falls due to erosion - offer glimpses into the landscape’s deep past.

Q:  What wildlife do participants commonly spot during your walking tours?

A:  Participants commonly spot a variety of urban wildlife. Bald eagles, great blue herons, double-crested cormorants, ducks, gulls, and migrating songbirds are frequently seen along the river and near St. Anthony Falls. Visitors often notice turtles basking on logs, fish in the water below. On lucky days, they may spot mammals such as muskrats, beavers, or even river otters near the base of the falls. These sightings highlight the river’s surprising richness as an urban habitat.

Q:  How do your tours incorporate the history and perspectives of the Indigenous peoples who have lived along the river for thousands of years?

A:  Our tours highlight thousands of years of Dakota history and relationships with the river. We share the cultural significance of Owamniyomni and Spirit Island, drawing on Indigenous voices and partnerships to ensure these perspectives are presented respectfully and accurately.

Q:  Are there architectural details, historic markers, or natural features that people often walk past without noticing?

A:  Historic mill foundations, remnants of old rail lines, carved stonework, plaques, and the exposed limestone cliffs all reveal how the river shaped Minneapolis’ industrial beginnings and the landscape that existed long before the city. Even the engineered spillway protecting the falls and the native plants along the riverbanks tell parts of this story. One striking example is the location of St. Anthony Falls itself. When Father Hennepin first saw it, the falls were near where the Stone Arch Bridge stands today. Centuries of erosion caused the falls to retreat to their current position, a reminder of how dynamic this riverfront has always been.

Q:  What's something you've learned as a ranger that changed the way you personally see the Mississippi River?

A:  As rangers, we’re continually learning from the river. Understanding how geology, ecology, engineering, and human histories intersect here changes the way we see this place: not just as a scenic riverfront, but as a living landscape that continues to evolve.

Q:  Are there any new walking tours or programs planned this season? How is the park working to make walking tours more accessible and inclusive?

A:  New programs are introduced periodically based on market research, data, and visitor feedback. This year, we are piloting two new Paddle with a Ranger routes in the cities of Ramsey and Cottage Grove while additional locations for riverfront walking tours are being considered. All our public programs are free and scheduled across weekdays and weekends to increase accessibility. The National Park Service works to make tours inclusive by reducing barriers, welcoming visitors of all backgrounds and abilities, and integrating diverse perspectives into interpretation.

Q:  If you could leave people with one new appreciation about the Mississippi River after a walking tour, what would it be?

A:  If visitors leave with one new appreciation, we hope it’s that the Mississippi River is far more than a backdrop. It is an enduring, living force, shaped by nature, sustained by Indigenous communities, transformed by industry, and still full of stories that connect past, present, and future.