The Stone Arch Bridge is the signature walk of Minneapolis. James J. Hill’s Great Northern Railroad built it in 1883, and at its peak it carried eighty passenger trains a day into Union Station. Today it is a pedestrian and bicycle path across the Mississippi, a National Civil Engineering Landmark, linking Father Hennepin Bluff Park on the east bank with West River Parkway and Mill Ruins Park on the west. From the middle of the bridge you look straight at Saint Anthony Falls, the only major waterfall on the Mississippi, where the river’s power drew the sawmills and flour mills that made Minneapolis. The park board reports that repairs completed in 2024 and 2025 replaced rocks and stones and repointed the mortar across the whole bridge. The path is open from 6am to midnight, a pay parking lot is available, and the National Park Service offers tours on select days. It suits everyone: photographers, walkers, cyclists, history fans and anyone who wants the best free view in the city. The bridge is particularly beautiful at sunset, when the stone and the river glow, and the skyline appears behind the mill district.
Getting there and around
The bridge sits beside Mill City Museum, in the Mill District, and is an easy walk from many downtown hotels, including the Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel, The Depot and the Canopy hotel. The west end is at Mill Ruins Park, where excavated ruins of the old flour mills lie beside the river, and the east end leads to Father Hennepin Bluff Park and the Saint Anthony Main area.
The crossing is short and flat, so allow thirty minutes to walk it and look around, or longer if you add the ruins and a stop at the museum. Bicycles share the path, so keep to one side and watch for riders.
What to know
The park board states that restrooms at regional park facilities are closed for the season, so plan accordingly in the colder months. The bridge itself carries no closure notice, but maintenance projects occur, so check before you travel. In winter the span can be icy and exposed to wind, so wear grippy shoes and warm layers.
In summer it is crowded with walkers and cyclists, so go early in the morning if you want quiet. The National Park Service runs guided programmes on select days, and the calendar is linked from the park board page.
Making the most of it
Start at Mill City Museum, walk the ruins, cross the bridge and return by the other bank, with a coffee in Saint Anthony Main. If you are on the North Loop food tour, the bridge is a natural finish. Photographers should go at golden hour and bring a wide lens for the falls. The Stone Arch Bridge combines well with an evening at the Guthrie Theater nearby. Because it is free, flexible and short, it is the easiest way to add a landmark to a packed day.
If you have an hour to spare, the full loop is a rewarding way to see the river from both banks: cross the bridge, follow the east bank to the next crossing and return along West River Parkway, taking in the mill ruins and the old flour-milling buildings on the way. Allow extra time on summer weekends, when the path is shared by strollers, cyclists and photographers.
What to expect
The experience
A free pedestrian and bike crossing of the Mississippi on an 1883 railroad bridge, with views of Saint Anthony Falls.
Best time
Golden hour or early morning, and a clear winter day for crisp views.
How long
Thirty to sixty minutes, longer with Mill Ruins Park and Mill City Museum.
Tips
Wear grippy shoes in winter, share the path with cyclists and check for maintenance notices.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Photographers, history fans and first-time visitors.
- Families
- Short, flat and safe, though children should stay clear of the cycle traffic.
- Couples
- A sunset walk with the falls and the skyline is hard to beat for free.
- Pair with
- Mill City Museum, Mill Ruins Park and the North Loop food tour.
- Time needed
- Thirty to sixty minutes.
Good questions
Is the Stone Arch Bridge free?+
Yes. It is a free pedestrian and bicycle path, open from 6am to midnight.
When was it built?+
In 1883, by James J. Hill’s Great Northern Railroad.
Can I see Saint Anthony Falls from the bridge?+
Yes. The bridge offers views of Saint Anthony Falls and the old mill district.
Is there parking?+
A pay parking lot is available nearby, and many downtown hotels are within walking distance.
Are there guided tours?+
The National Park Service offers tours on select days, with dates on its calendar.
