Regional Parks in Fillmore County, Minnesota
Explore the Driftless Area’s Natural Beauty – Caves, Bluffs, Trails & Historic Sites
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Claim Your Free Consultation →Fillmore County Parks & Recreation Overview
Fillmore County, located in the heart of Minnesota’s Driftless Area, offers a spectacular blend of geological wonders, pristine trout streams, and extensive trail systems. This southeastern Minnesota county is home to the state’s longest cave system, historic sites, and over 60 miles of paved recreational trails connecting charming small towns. The unique karst topography creates dramatic bluffs, sinkholes, and spring-fed streams that support world-class trout fishing and rare wildlife species.
13+
Miles of Cave Passages
60+
Miles of Paved Trails
2
Major State Parks
300ft
Limestone Bluff Heights
Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park
Official DNR Site →📍 Location & Contact
- 21071 County Road 118, Preston, MN 55965
- Between Spring Valley and Preston
- Main Park Office: (507) 352-5111
- Mystery Cave: (507) 937-3251
- Historic Forestville: (507) 765-2785
- Park Size: 3,170 acres
🦇 Mystery Cave Features
- Minnesota’s longest cave – 13+ miles of passages
- Constant 48°F temperature year-round
- Stalactites, stalagmites, and flowstone formations
- Underground pools including Turquoise Lake
- Multiple tour options:
- • Scenic Tour (1 hour, wheelchair accessible)
- • Lantern Tour (1 hour, historic experience)
- • Wild Caving Tour (2+ hours, crawling required)
- • Photography & Geology Tours
- Tours daily Memorial Day – Labor Day
- Weekend tours in spring and fall
🏛️ Historic Forestville
- 1800s living history village
- Operated by Minnesota Historical Society
- Carnegie Steel Bridge entrance
- Meighen Store with original 19th-century merchandise
- Historic farm and homestead tours
- Weekend programs during summer
🎯 Park Activities
- 20 miles of hiking trails
- 17 miles of horseback riding trails
- 15 miles of horse camp trails
- Trout fishing in three spring-fed streams
- 100+ camping sites (electric & non-electric)
- Camper cabins and group camps
- Cross-country skiing (ungroomed trails)
- Snowshoeing anywhere in park
- Wildlife viewing and birdwatching
🦇 Cave Tours
🏛️ Historic Village
🐎 Horse Trails
🎣 Trout Fishing
⛺ Camping
🥾 20 Miles Hiking
❄️ Winter Activities
♿ Accessible Tours
Important Information
White-nose Syndrome protocols in effect – shoe decontamination mats required for cave tours
State park vehicle permit required: $7 daily or $35 annual
Minnesota Horse Pass required for equestrian use – purchase before arrival
Park has two separate areas: Main campground and Mystery Cave (6 miles apart)
Beaver Creek Valley State Park
Official DNR Site →📍 Location & Access
- 15954 County 1, Caledonia, MN 55921
- 5 miles west of Caledonia
- Phone: (507) 724-2107
- Nestled in a valley up to 250 feet deep
- Part of Minnesota’s Driftless Area
- From I-90: Highway 76 south 24 miles, then County 1 west 4 miles
🐟 Natural Features
- Spring-fed East Beaver Creek
- “Big Spring” – primary water source
- Native brook trout population
- Brown trout (blue-ribbon stream)
- Clear, cold water ideal for trout
- Limestone bluffs and rock formations
- Hole-in-Rock natural arch formation
🦜 Wildlife & Birdwatching
- Rare Acadian flycatcher nesting site
- Louisiana waterthrush habitat
- Cerulean warbler sightings
- 50+ bird species documented
- Deer, raccoon, mink, beaver
- Red and gray foxes
- Wild turkeys
- Timber rattlesnakes (rarely seen)
🏕️ Activities & Amenities
- 8 miles of hiking trails
- Switchback Trail for scenic views
- Valley floor to blufftop trails
- 16 drive-in sites with electricity
- 6 walk-in tent sites
- 1 camper cabin
- 3 group camp sites
- Picnic areas with fire rings
- Spring wildflower viewing
- Photography opportunities
🎣 Trout Fishing
🦜 Rare Birds
🌸 Spring Wildflowers
🏕️ Creek-side Camping
🥾 8 Miles Trails
🏔️ Limestone Bluffs
📸 Photography
🌲 Old-Growth Forest
Visitor Tips
Best visited in spring for wildflowers and migrating songbirds
Campsites near creek can be close together – limited privacy in peak season
2-mile uphill climb out of valley – challenging for cyclists with gear
Historic Schech Mill nearby – last water-powered mill in MN (privately owned)
Root River State Trail
Trail Information →🚴 Trail Overview
- 42 miles of paved trail
- Fountain to Houston route
- Built on abandoned railroad grade
- Generally level and wheelchair accessible
- Steep half-mile segment near Houston
- 300-foot limestone bluffs along route
- Follows the scenic Root River
- Part of Blufflands Trail System
🏘️ Trail Towns (West to East)
- Fountain: Western terminus, museum, restaurants
- Lanesboro: Trail hub, historic downtown, arts district
- Whalan: Smallest trail town, riverside rest stop
- Peterson: River access, camping, museum
- Rushford: Historic depot, midway services
- Houston: Eastern terminus, nature center
🎿 Trail Activities
- Bicycling (most popular use)
- Walking and running
- In-line skating
- Cross-country skiing (winter)
- 30 miles groomed ski track
- Minnesota Ski Pass required for skiing
- No snowmobiling on trail
- Wildlife viewing opportunities
🅿️ Parking & Access Points
- Fountain: Near city park/softball field
- Lanesboro: Bass Pond lot, Community Center
- Whalan: Street parking downtown
- Peterson: City campground/softball field
- Rushford: Historic depot on Elm Street
- Houston: Nature Center on Plum Street
- No fees required (except ski pass)
🚧 2024-2025 Trail Updates
Construction scheduled between Jade Road and County Road 17 (Sept-Oct). Check DNR website for current closures. New Preston-to-Carimona extension in planning phase with $2 million allocated for design.
🚴 42 Miles Paved
♿ Wheelchair Accessible
🏘️ 6 Trail Towns
🎿 Winter Skiing
🦃 Wildlife Viewing
🏔️ Bluff Views
🏛️ Historic Sites
🍂 Four Seasons
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⭐ Serving Preston, Harmony, Lanesboro, Rushford, Spring Valley & All of Fillmore County
Get Started Today →Harmony-Preston Valley State Trail
Trail Details →🚴 Trail Information
- 18 miles of paved trail
- Connects to Root River Trail at junction (5.5 miles from Preston)
- Links Harmony, Preston, and trail junction
- Built on former railroad corridor
- Scenic rural landscapes and farmland
- Less crowded than Root River Trail
- Perfect for family cycling
🆕 Trail Extension Project (2024-2025)
- $4 million extension from Harmony to Iowa border
- New connection to Niagara Cave
- First major trail expansion in 25 years
- Expected completion in 2025
- Will connect to potential Iowa trail system
- Future vision: Interstate trail to Decorah, Iowa
🏔️ Niagara Cave Connection
- Privately owned commercial cave near Harmony
- Underground waterfall and formations
- One of two publicly accessible caves in Minnesota
- Discovered in 1924, tours since 1934
- New trail will provide safe bike access
🚴 18 Miles Paved
🔗 Connects to Root River
🌾 Rural Scenery
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
🆕 Extension Coming
🦇 Cave Access
Outdoor Activities & Recreation
🎣 Fishing Opportunities
- World-class trout streams throughout county
- South Branch Root River (Forestville area)
- Beaver Creek (native brook & brown trout)
- Canfield Creek
- Camp Creek
- Designated trout streams with special regulations
- Winter angling opportunities
- Catch-and-release areas
🏕️ Camping Options
- Forestville: 100+ sites, cabins, horse camps
- Beaver Creek: 16 electric, 6 walk-in sites
- Eagle Cliff Campground (Lanesboro)
- Sylvan Park Campground (Lanesboro)
- Houston Nature Center camping
- Private campgrounds throughout county
- Primitive to full hookup options
🚣 Water Activities
- Root River canoeing and kayaking
- Tubing popular near Lanesboro
- Multiple outfitters for rentals
- Shuttle services available
- Scenic float trips
- Beginner-friendly water levels
❄️ Winter Recreation
- Cross-country skiing on state trails
- 30 miles of groomed ski tracks
- Snowshoeing in state parks
- Fat tire biking (select areas)
- Ice fishing opportunities
- Sledding hills in parks
- Winter wildlife tracking
Visitor Services
Bike rentals available in Lanesboro, Preston, and Rushford
Numerous B&Bs, hotels, and vacation rentals in trail towns
Lanesboro Arts District: Galleries, theater, and music venues
Harmony Visitor Center: Year-round information and maps
Special Attractions & Points of Interest
🏛️ Cultural & Historic Sites
- Historic Forestville – 1800s living history village
- Lanesboro Historic Downtown (National Register)
- Fillmore County Historical Museum (Fountain)
- Root River Trail Towns – each with unique character
- Amish communities near Harmony and Canton
- Historic mills and bridges throughout county
🌄 Geological Features
- Driftless Area – unglaciated landscape
- Karst topography with sinkholes and springs
- Mystery Cave – 13+ miles of passages
- Niagara Cave – underground waterfall
- Limestone bluffs up to 300 feet high
- Spring-fed trout streams
- Unique plant communities on bluff prairies
🎉 Annual Events
- Buffalo Bill Days (Lanesboro) – July
- Rhubarb Festival (Lanesboro) – June
- Stand Still Parade (Whalan) – Memorial Day
- Fillmore County Fair (Preston) – July
- Art in the Park events
- Root River Trail Tour bike ride
- Holiday celebrations in trail towns
Important Contacts & Resources
📞 Park Contacts
- Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park:
- Main Office: (507) 352-5111
- Mystery Cave Tours: (507) 937-3251
- Historic Forestville: (507) 765-2785
- Beaver Creek Valley State Park: (507) 724-2107
- MN DNR Information: 1-888-646-6367
- State Park Reservations: 1-866-857-2757
🌐 Visitor Centers
- Lanesboro Chamber: (507) 467-2696
- Preston Tourism: (507) 765-2153
- Harmony Visitor Center: (877) 251-0606
- Rushford-Peterson Chamber: (507) 864-3338
- Houston Chamber: (507) 896-4033
💰 Fees & Permits
- State Park Vehicle Permit:
- Daily: $7
- Annual: $35
- Second Vehicle: $26
- Mystery Cave Tours: Varies by tour type
- Camping: $15-35/night depending on site
- Minnesota Ski Pass: Required for groomed trails
- Horse Pass: Required for equestrian trails
- Root River Trail: FREE (no fee required)
🗺️ Online Resources
- MN DNR: www.dnr.state.mn.us
- Root River Trail: www.rootrivertrail.org
- Lanesboro Tourism: www.lanesboro.com
- Explore Minnesota: www.exploreminnesota.com
- Historic Forestville: www.mnhs.org/forestville
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