Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park - Minnesota
Forestville Mystery Cave State Park contains the village of Forestville, Minnesota, which has been restored to a 19th-century appearance. Below ground the park contains Mystery Cave, the state's longest cave, which is open to the public. The cave includes stalactites, stalagmites, and underground pools, and is a constant 48 °F (9 °C). It has over 13 miles (21 km) of passages in two rock layers and is being resurveyed and remapped by volunteers.
Forestville/Mystery Cave SP
https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/park.html?id=spk00148#homepage
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forestville_Mystery_Cave_State_Park
Forestville Mystery Cave State Park contains the village of Forestville, Minnesota, which has been restored to a 19th-century appearance. Below ground the park contains Mystery Cave, the state's longest cave, which is open to the public. The cave includes stalactites, stalagmites, and underground pools, and is a constant 48 °F (9 °C). It has over 13 miles (21 km) of passages in two rock layers and is being resurveyed and remapped by volunteers.
© 2020, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
MAP AND GUIDE:
FORESTVILLE/MYSTERY
CAVE STATE PARK
21071 COUNTY 118
PRESTON, MN 55965
FILLMORE COUNTY
MAIN PARK: 507-352-5111
MYSTERY CAVE: 507-937-3251
VISITOR TIPS
• Stay on trails to help avoid ticks, poison
ivy and wild parsnip.
Forestville/ Mystery Cave State Park is one of the most
diverse state parks in Minnesota. The park protects striking
limestone bluffs and numerous karst features such as caves,
sinkholes and springs. Take trails through closed canopy
forests, oak woodlands and meadows. View remnant stands
of native white pine dotting the slopes and rare pockets of
balsam fir and Canada yew persevering on cool, north-facing
bluffs. Anglers will enjoy the three sparkling trout streams
that converge in the park. Tour an 1850s frontier village or
Minnesota’s longest known cave, both unique features for
which the park was named. Stop in for the day or stay awhile
by reserving a campsite, horse camp, group camp or camper
cabin. Return in winter to snowshoe, fish or ski on rustic
backcountry trails.
• Do not cross streams in high water.
• To prevent serious horse accidents, do not
bicycle on trails.
• Cell service is limited. Try high ground or
use courtesy phone at park office.
• Keep raccoons out of your food by storing
it in your locked vehicle.
• Special trout fishing regulations apply
within the park. Check current
regulations.
• In an emergency call 911.
• Non-emergency sheriff’s number:
507-765-3874.
ONLY HAVE AN HOUR?
• Park at the Palisade Trail lot and walk a
scenic one-mile loop below majestic
cliffs and along the South Branch Root
River.
• Park at the Historic Site lot. From there,
take a history tour with the Minnesota
Historical Society, or hike up the
Sandbank Trail for a scenic view of the
blufflands landscape.
• Take the Mystery Cave Scenic Tour.
• Picnic near the South Branch Root River,
famed for its feisty stream trout.
LOOKING FOR MORE TO EXPLORE DURING
YOUR STAY? VISIT: MNDNR.GOV/FORESTVILLE
SO EVERYONE CAN ENJOY
THE PARK...
ABOUT THE PARK
A FULL SET OF STATE PARK RULES AND REGULATIONS IS
AVAILABLE AT THE PARK OFFICE OR MNDNR.GOV.
PARK OPEN
8 a.m.–10 p.m. daily. Only registered campers allowed
after 10 p.m.
VEHICLE PERMITS
Permits required; purchase at park office or entrance kiosk.
PETS WELCOME
Keep on 6-foot leash; pick up after; attend at all times; not
allowed in buildings.
Anglers and visitors delight in the park’s
cool, clear streams.
FIREWOOD
Purchase only from park office or approved vendor; no
gathering firewood in the park.
TRAIL HIGHLIGHTS
Palisade Trail
1-mile loop
Some hills • Packed dirt • Grass
Walk down to valley elevation along the South Branch Root River as it flows past sheer limestone cliffs. Pass small
oxbow ponds with outstanding bird and amphibian habitat. Enjoy excellent access for trout angling.
Sandbank Trail to Scenic Overlook
1 mile one-way
Some hills • Crushed rock • Packed dirt
− CAMPGROUND QUIET HOURS
10 p.m.– 8 a.m.
HORSEBACK RIDERS
Help ensure the future of riding at Forestville:
Hike from Historic Forestville up a long gradual slope to a ridge with sweeping views of blufflands
landscape. Return the way you came or continue to the Oak Ridge Trail for a 3-mile loop.
• Ride only on designated horse trails.
Big Spring Trail
• Cross streams only at designated fords.
2 miles one-way
Steep terrain • Crushed rock • Wooden bridges • Stream crossing
From the angler’s lot, this trail drops into the valley and crosses the South Branch Root River. From there, follow Canfield
Creek upstream to its source: the Big Spring. The limestone escarpment above the spring is habitat for boreal plants like
balsam fir and other cold-loving species.
Maple Ridge Trail (Hiking Club Trail)
2-mile loop
Some hills • Crushed rock • Packed dirt
Hike from the amphitheater or angler’s lot to encounter a variety of woodland habitats, including a beautiful and
shaded maple forest.
TOURS AND PROGRAMS
MORE TO EXPLORE
• Discover Mystery Cave on a guided tour. Available
daily from early May to mid-October. Visit
mndnr.gov/mysterycave for more details and updated
schedules.
• Travel back to the 1800s when you tour the restored
village of Forestville with the Minnesota Historical
Society (May through October).
• Join a variety of free nature programs and hands-on
activities during summer weekends.
• Bring your fishing gear for some of Minnesota’s
finest trout angling.
• Bring your GPS to search for the park geocache.
• Fishing rods, GPS units, birding kits, and camping
activity kits can be checked out at the park office
when open.
• Enjoy the comfort of a camper cabin year-round.
• Drive to nearby communities to bike the scenic Root
River State Trail or paddle the Root River.
• Use switchbacks, don’t shortcut.
• Leave beverage containers at camp or pack out.
• Avoid riding along park roads.
• Save shade trees, use designated hitching areas.
CURIOUS ABOUT THE ROOT RIVER STATE WATER TRAIL?
GO TO: MNDNR.GOV/WATERTRAILS
MORE INFO
CAMPGROUND
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H29
H53
H33
H35
17
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to park
office
H39
H52
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15
H41
H50
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H40
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PRIMITIVE GROUP CAMP
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