® RECREATION

US ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS  MISSISSIPPI VALLEY DIVISION  BUILDING STRONG®

INTRODUCTION

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is the largest provider of 

water-based outdoor recreation in the nation. Its 422 lake and 

river projects in 43 states provide a diverse range of recreational 

opportunities. 

Visitors of all ages can enjoy traditional activities like hiking, 

boating, fishing, camping and hunting, and for those slightly 

more adventurous there is snorkeling, windsurfing, whitewater 

rafting, mountain biking and geo-caching. Regardless of your 

favorite outdoor activity one thing is certain, recreation enriches 

people's lives. A visit to an Army Corps of Engineers' recreation 

area can strengthen family ties and friendships, create 

unforgettable memories and connect people to nature that will 

last a lifetime.

Did you know:

• The U.S. Army Corps of 

Engineers is one of the 

nation's leading federal 

providers of outdoor recreation 

with more than 400 lake and 

river projects in 43 states.

• USACE-managed waters 

provide 18 percent of all U.S. 

freshwater fishing.

• 45,104 volunteers work 1.56 

million hours annually at 

USACE projects.

• Seven of the top 10 migratory 

bird flyways in the U.S. 

crossover USACE-managed 

waters. 

• USACE manages 12 million 

acres of public lands and 

waters nationwide.

• A visitor to USACE recreation 

areas can find 55,390 miles of 

shoreline; 7,892 miles of trails; 

93,101 campsites and 3,748 

boat ramps nationally.
BUSINESS FUNCTIONS AND CUSTOMERS

• Flood risk management: adjacent and 

downstream land owners.

• Water supply: cities and rural water districts.

• Hydropower: Southwestern Power 

Administration.

• Recreation: boaters, fishermen, water skiers, 

hikers, cyclists, equestrians, swimmers, 

campers, hunters, naturalists, picnickers, 

sightseers, etc.

• Environmental stewardship: present and future 

generations.

• Navigation: commercial towing and recreational 

boaters.

CHALLENGES

1. Park modernization

• Flood resistant designs

• Lease parks for increased service

• Increasing demands and flat line resources

• Modern equipment – 50 amp service, water & 

sewer hook-ups, etc. 

2. Ranger safety 

• Contracts with local law 

enforcement agencies for 

services

• Pepper spray & personal 

protection training

3. Aging infrastructure

• Utility systems

• Site amenities 

• Roads

• Buildings

Old, rusted & 

deteriorating 

sewage treatment 

plants. 

Parts are 

obsolete.
MISSISSIPPI VALLEY DIVISION ASSETS

• 2+ million acres

• 46 lakes

• 875 recreation areas 

• 3,627 picnic sites 

• 11,775 camping sites 

• 304 playgrounds 

• 112 swimming areas 

• 397 number of trails 

• 1,161 trail miles 

• 33 fishing docks 

• 563 boat ramps 

• 11,743 marina slips 

• 27+ million visitors each year

• $986 million in visitor spending 

• $257 million in labor income

• $385 million in value added (wages/salaries, 

payroll benefits, profits, rents, etc.)

DISTRICT ASSETS

St. Paul District

• 646,929 acres

• 13 lakes

• 102 recreation areas 

• 435 picnic sites 

• 1,189 camping sites 

• 39 playgrounds 

• 15 swimming areas 

• 29 number of trails 

• 88 trail miles 

• 17 fishing docks 

• 75 boat ramps 

• 1,176 marina slips

• 2.3 million visitors each year

Rock Island District

• 374,061 acres

• 5 lakes

• 196 recreation areas 

• 451 picnic sites 

• 2,817 camping sites 

• 84 playgrounds 

• 11 swimming areas 

• 77 number of trails 

• 213 trail miles 

• 1 fishing dock 

• 136 boat ramps 

• 2,146 marina slips

• 6.6 million visitors each year
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers  1400 Walnut Street, Vicksburg, MS 39180  www.mvd.usace.army.mil

May 2019

St. Louis District

• 422,580 acres

• 9 lakes

• 317 recreation areas 

• 875 picnic sites 

• 3,737 camping sites 

• 98 playgrounds 

• 27 swimming areas 

• 90 number of trails 

• 255 trail miles 

• 4 fishing docks 

• 179 boat ramps 

• 3,461 marina slips

• 8 million visitors each year

Vicksburg District

• 516,518 acres

• 15 lakes

• 246 recreation areas 

• 1,846 picnic sites 

• 4,002 camping sites 

• 82 playgrounds 

• 59 swimming areas 

• 87 number of trails 

• 327 trail miles 

• 4 fishing docks 

• 158 boat ramps 

• 4,960 marina slips

• 7.8 million visitors each year

New Orleans District

• 403,744 acres

• 14 recreation areas 

• 20 picnic sites 

• 30 camping sites 

• 1 playground

• 35 number of trails 

• 96 trail miles

• 7 fishing docks 

• 15 boat ramps 

• 2.9 million visitors 

each year

Recreation Activities: 

• Hunting • ATV riding • Hiking

• Fishing • Biking • Horseback riding

• Boating • Camping • Birding

• Canoeing • Flying model planes