Mississippi River, Beaver Island State Water Acc*

Beaver Island offers a concrete boat ramp approximately 12 feet wide for access to the Mississippi River in St. Cloud. The facility includes about 18 parking spots and serves as a popular launch point for fishing and recreational boating. The ramp is conveniently located near the Beaver Island Trail, an asphalt path suitable for hiking and biking, making it a good destination for combined water and land-based activities.

Paddlers and boaters should be aware that this section of the Mississippi River is a major waterway with significant flow—averaging over 685,000 cubic feet per second with velocities around 11 feet per second. The river here has a modest gradient of approximately 0.8 feet per mile. This is excellent smallmouth bass fishing habitat. Given the river's size and current, paddlers should have appropriate experience and equipment; this is best suited for recreational boaters and anglers rather than beginners. Contact the Minnesota DNR for current conditions and any seasonal access restrictions.