Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park sits in the rolling bluffs of Fillmore County in southeastern Minnesota, where two distinct attractions share one remarkable landscape across 3,163 acres. Below ground, Mystery Cave stretches over 13 miles as Minnesota’s longest cave, featuring stalactites, stalagmites, and underground pools fed by the South Branch of the Root River. Above ground, the restored 1899 village of Historic Forestville offers a living-history experience where costumed interpreters bring the late 19th century to life.

The Root River and its tributaries cut through the park’s karst topography, creating prime habitat for brown and brook trout. Anglers wade cold, spring-fed streams shaded by hardwood forest, while hikers explore 16 miles of trails winding through bluffs, prairies, and deep valleys. In winter, those same trails welcome cross-country skiers and snowshoers. Horseback riders have access to dedicated equestrian trails and a campground with hitching posts.

The park offers both drive-in and walk-in campsites, plus the equestrian camp for riders. Sites are shaded and well-spaced, though summer weekends fill quickly — reservations are strongly recommended from June through August.

Visit in late September or early October when the bluff country erupts in fall color. Spring brings wildflower displays and reliable trout fishing as snowmelt feeds the streams. Cave tours run seasonally, typically May through October, with both standard and lantern-lit options available.

This is one of Minnesota’s most layered parks — geology, history, and backcountry beauty packed into a single destination.

Explore Nearby

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• Wisconsin River Islands — Public Land in Wisconsin