Winter and summer, on the other hand, tend toward the extreme. Despite the attention Minnesota receives due to its cold winters, the average highs and lows during the coldest days of the winter in late January do not dip below 20 degrees F during the day and single digits at night. The presence of significant snowfall makes Minnesota a haven for winter sports lovers. Summer produces average highs in the mid-80's F during the hottest days of July and August. Evenings tend to be cooler with lows falling into the 50's and 60's.
Some parks provide winter activities and educational programs about the river.
Some facilities are open year round. Paul metropolitan area. A major airport, Amtrak, buses, and freeways serve the area. Rental cars, taxis, and buses provide transportation to sites within the area. Scheduled river tours are offered by commercial boat operators.