Forestville Mystery Cave
State Park

Forestville Mystery Cave State Park is located in the Prairie region of southern Minnesota near Lanesboro.

How to Get to Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park: Drive north from Preston on Lafayette Freeway for 1 mile to County Road 16. Turn left and drive for 8 miles. Turn left onto Township Road 349. Drive 1 mile, then take the second left onto Township Road 347. Drive for 2.5 miles to County Road 118 and turn right. The park office is 1.3 miles ahead.

Park Highlights:

• The historic town of Forestville has been restored by the Minnesota Historic Society and offers living history tours by costumed interpreters in summer. There is also an outdoor amphitheater. Other tours include the old cemetery, school house and grist mill.
• Mystery Cave, with its stalactites, stalagmites, and underground pools, is the longest cave in the state with 13 miles of passages. Park naturalists provide tours of the cave throughout the summer and on weekends in the spring and fall.

Forestville/Mystery Cave's Natural Attractions: The forest, for which the park is named, is dense except for in the campground area. You have the opportunity to see an amazing variety of wildlife here. At night you could hear the howl of a coyote and the hoot of a barred owl. You might see a hawk or turkey vulture soar above you, scare up a ruffed grouse or wild turkey and hear the songs of any of 175 types of songbirds.

The area is also home to deer, raccoon, beaver and woodchucks. This is one of the few places in Minnesota where there are timber rattlesnakes. Don't let that deter your visit; if you see one report it at the park office.

Things to Do in Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park: Fish in three of Minnesota's best trout streams: Canfield Creek, Forestville Creek and the South Branch of the Root River. Spelunking in the caves is a popular pastime for some. There are 17 miles of hiking trails in the park, 15 miles of trail for horseback riders and 11 miles of cross-country ski trails in winter.

Forestville Mystery Cave State Park Camping

Camping in Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park: There are three campground loops and a total of 73 campsites. 23 sites have electrical hookups. There is also a horse camp with 60 sites; 24 are electric and 2 group camp sites near the Root River. Each group site accommodates up to 50 people. Fire rings, drinking water, flush and vault toilets are available.

More Attractions near Forestville Mystery Cave State Park: Visit Lanesboro, often called “Minnesota's loveliest town.” Stop in at the Lanesboro Historical Museum, the Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center and the Cornucopia Art Center. Go back in time with an Amish tour. Come the first week in August for the town's biggest festival, Buffalo Bill Days. 

Visit Harmony Minnesota for amazing shopping, a cave visit and Amish tours.

Other State Parks in This Region of Minnesota: Lake Louise State Park > Myre Big Island State Park > Beaver Creek Valley State Park

Contact:

21071 County 118
Preston, MN 55965
Phone: Main Park: 507-352-5111
Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park: 507-937-3251
Fax: 507-352-5113
Email: forestville.statepark@state.mn.us

Related Pages:

Minnesota Camping

Minnesota State Parks Maps, Reservations and Reviews

Campgrounds in Minnesota

Minnesota Campgrounds

Minnesota RV Campgrounds

Minnesota Campground Directory

Camping List

Back to Minnesota State Parks

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