Forestville/Mystery Cave

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Visit Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park to see natural wonders above and below ground. In the summer, beat the heat with a visit below ground. Explore the world of Mystery Cave with its stalactites, stalagmites, and underground pools. Park naturalists provide tours of the cave throughout the summer and on weekends in the spring and fall. The temperature stays at a constant 48 degrees Fahrenheit. Above ground, stop by Historic Forestville, a restored 1800s village operated by the Minnesota Historical Society (MHS).

Fish three blue-ribbon trout streams for brown trout. Take in the soft pastels of wildflowers in spring or listen to ruffed grouse drumming and wild turkeys gobbling. Hike or bring your horse to ride the ridge tops and stream valleys. Observe interesting geologic features along the way including sinkholes and dramatic Big Spring. In the fall, don't miss the bold colors of the forest. Winter invites visitors to ski or snowmobile the Bluff Country.

Tell me more about this park's wildlife, history, geology and landscape.

Visitor Alert!

I Can Camp!

Camping challenged? Not after you attend our overnight I Can Camp! workshop August 12! Learn more or book now.

Road Construction

Road work has begun near Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park, but the park will remain open during the project. Detour Map

Reconstruction of County State Aid Highway 5 between County State Aid Highway 12 and Minnesota Trunk Highway 16 near Wykoff will resume this spring.

Visitors coming from the north and west (including visitors from the Twin Cities, Austin and Rochester) are urged to use U.S. Highway 63 /Minnesota Highway 16 to Spring Valley. Detour signs will be posted from Spring Valley.
Visitors coming from the east and southeast via U.S. Highway 52 will find detour signs near the city of Preston.
Visitors coming from Iowa on U.S. Highway 63 will be able to access the park in the usual fashion using Fillmore County 14.

For additional details, please contact the park at (507) 352-5111.

Campground Improvements

At the request of visitors, many campsite spurs in the main campground are being lengthened and leveled this summer. Legacy funds have allowed the purchase of crushed rock. Park crews will perform intermittent work on weekdays when time and campsite vacancies permit. Work will be conducted primarily between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Please excuse the construction activity as we improve the function of the campsites.

Bridge Closed

The historic bridge near Historic Forestville is closed to motorized vehicles due to flood damage. Pedestrian traffic is permitted.

Park Notes

Tours:

One Hour Tour - This guided tour provides the best overall cave experience. You'll see excellent examples of cave formations along with pools and dramatic linear passageways. This tour involves 3/4 mile of walking on paved trails and bridges. Tour is ADA accessible. For more information, visit One Hour Tour info.

Two Hour Tour - Experience a rustic, flashlight tour with a focus on cave geology. This tour is more physically challenging than the one-hour tour and is not available to children four and under. Please visit, Two Hour Tour info.

Virtual Photo Tour: See the sights from underground lakes to historic towns and find nature all-around. Video | HD | Captioned Video

Wild Caving Tour - This is the real thing - caving! You will be crawling and squeezing through undeveloped portions of Mystery Cave. Please plan about four hours, with two to three hours underground. Check it out - Wild Caving Tour info.

For additional Mystery Cave Tours, visit Mystery Cave Tours.

Tour brochure

Gift Cards:

Purchase a Minnesota State Parks Gift Card.

Horse Trail:

The horse trail through the park will open May 1 through November 1, 2010.

Firewood Restrictions Information:

Minnesota has enacted legislation that restricts firewood being brought to or used on DNR lands. Learn more and review vendor lists.

Park Activities:

Trout Fishing: The regular trout season runs from mid-April through mid-September. The catch and release season runs from January 1 until mid-April, and again from mid-September through September 30. A fishing license and trout stamp is required in the park.

Camping: Camping is available. Seasonal camping information.

Horse Riding:The Minnesota Horse Pass is required for equestrians at Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park. These may be purchased from any ELS license agent prior to your visit.
-Trails are surfaced with crushed rock.
- Shod horses are strongly recommended.

Birders:

Bird Checklist at Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park.

Park Highlights

Tours of Mystery Cave	Historic Forestville Tours
Trout Streams	Camping
Great Hiking/Horseback Trails	Spring Flowers

Hours

Summer: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sun. - Weds.; 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thurs. through Sat.

Winter: hours limited due to staffing, but generally 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Office hours may vary. Leave a message, 507-352-5111.

Contact

21071 County 118
Preston, MN 55965

tel: Main Park: 507-352-5111
Mystery Cave: 507-937-3251

fax: 507-352-5113

Getting There

Approximately 6 miles south of Wykoff. Entrance to the park is 4 miles south of State Highway 16 on Fillmore County Highway 5, then 2 miles east on Fillmore County 118.