Rock Island District / MississippiRiver / Recreation / Mississippi River Visitor Center

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Hours of Operation

Open Year-Round
Tuesday-Friday: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Holiday closings: Thanksgiving, Christmas and News Years Day. 

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Mississippi River Visitor Center at Locks & Dam 15

Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois

The Mississippi River Visitor Center is located on the Rock Island Arsenal in Rock Island, Illinois, overlooking Locks & Dam 15 on the Upper Mississippi River. Since the early 1800s the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has been instrumental in making the river navigable for both commercial and recreational vessels. From mid-March through mid-December visitors can watch boats pass through the locks. From January to March each year visitors come from all around to see the many Bald Eagles that flock to the locks and dams on the Mississippi during the winter months to feed. In early spring the river opens to commercial navigation. 

The visitor center welcomes thousands of people annually and is handicap accessible. 

Directions & Rock Island Arsenal Access

The Mississippi River Visitor Center overlooking Locks and Dam 15 is located on the western end of the U.S. Army installation, the Rock Island Arsenal. All visitors must go to the Rock Island Arsenal Visitor Welcome Center located at 23 Prospect Dr, Moline, IL 61265 to receive a rapid background check and be issued a pass before traveling to the Mississippi River Visitor Center.  Click HERE to learn about this process.

Once you have passed through the security gate, continue on Rodman Avenue for approximately 3 miles. The Mississippi River Visitor Center is last building on the right, across from a large, stone Clock Tower Building. The physical address is 328 Rodman Avenue, Rock Island, IL 61201.

If you have questions about accessing the installation, contact the Rock Island Arsenal Visitor Welcome Center at: 309-782-1337.