Forestville & Mystery Cave State Park, MN

Entry #1:  Forestville and Mystery Cave State Park, MN 

Trip Details:

Date:  May 2nd, 2015.  One overnight.
Drive Time: 2 Hour 15 Minute Drive SE of Minneapolis.
Overall Rating: High.  Good hiking trail along South Branch Root River and unique features not found anywhere else in the State.
Do Not Miss: Mystery Cave (geology, hydrology, bats, etc.) and Big Spring (river appears/daylights flowing out of 100' rock wall).

Summary Narrative: 
I selected Forestville and Mystery Cave State Park for two reasons:  1) I had never been to this park before and 2) my good friends, Mike and Patrick Sande, were trout fishing and camping.  I set off with out a lot of research and low expectations.  I left the Park with a great overall experience.  The Park is best broken down into two days OR one very long day.  With small children, I'd recommend breaking the visit up into 1)  Mystery Cave tour and 2) Forestville hiking/exploring.  Mystery Cave is about a 7 minute drive from the main Forestville Park located outside the main Forestville Park. Both have their own Visitor Centers.  The campground and hiking is located at Forestville.  Cave tours can be reserved online in 1 hour increments.  I reserved ahead of time--in May there was plenty of walk up availability--but this may not be the case on summer weekends.  Campsites can be reserved via the main DNR Reservation Site.  Trout fisherman already know of this Park or should know about the South Branch of the Root River.

Arrival Last Minute Needs: 

Local Groceries:  Sunshine Foods in Spring Valley.
Local Adult Beverages:  TJ's Liquor in Spring Valley.
Road Trip Fun Stop:  A&W in Spring Valley.

Camp Site Experience:

Camp Site #;  A21.  Campground Map
Camp Site Comments:  We elected to camp next to our friends, not for the best site.  Nice topography difference from neighbors, but headlights shine in camp when cars exit.  This was not our original selection.  A21 is not reservable online.
Camp Site Good Reservable Options:  A4, A6, A7, A25, A26
Camper Cabins Available:  YES.  See Campground Map including Camper Cabins HERE.
Hike In/Cart In:  Sadly NO.

Hiking/Exploring:

First, I'd classify myself as an advanced hiker with ability to hike long distances, including a heavy backpack.  This blog will generally be written through the lens of someone who views multiple hour hikes as the norm.  That said, I will do my best to help those newer to hikes better understand the likelihood that they can also complete/attempt certain hikes.  Asa and I ventured out on two different hikes--both I believe are requirements on any trip to Forestville. 

HIKE #1:  Campground A to Forestville & Return 2.5 Miles

The first hike we selected was from the campgrounds along the river to the abandoned town of Forestville and back.  We set off from the "A" campground trail along the River next to the A4 campsite.  We first set up camp around 6 PM then set off on this flat hike and made it back no problem around 8 on a leisure walk pace.  We hiked north for about 1/3 mile and found the forest floor covered with wildflowers in early May.  We heard owls, woodpeckers, and the rush of River.  A very busy beaver has had his way with many trees in this area.

We crossed the River on on the main road bridge then take a left into the parking lot and hike along the east bank the River until we arrived at the old Bridge and Forestville. This route is poorly signed with many criss cross paths likely created by fisherman.  It's probably about 2.5 miles roundtrip and very flat.   If you only have 3-4 hours and want a great experience, I'd select Hike #2 below instead.  If you have time for both, they are both worth doing.  The historic town and bridge are nice, but the Big Spring is stunning and not worth missing if time is short.  

HIKE #2:  Amphitheater/Angler Parking to Big Spring & Return 4.0 Miles

Big Spring

Big Spring Trail & White Pines

You can walk from any of the campgrounds to set out on this hike--but you also can save some time and drive to the "Angler Parking" or the Amphitheater Parking closer to the trail head which is across the street from the marked "Angler Parking."  You share the trail with horses, and cross Canfield Creek a few times before the final arrival at the "Big Spring." Seeing the creek sourced from a hole in a rock wall was an amazing site to see.  Definitely one of those--'Ah hah" moments where the hike/journey is nice, but the destination makes it.  

The Big Spring hike is tough on small children simply due to the length--I had to use my backpack for my 3 year old a few times.  This trail is also shared with horses for an added experience.  We passed 3 separate horse trail riding groups on a Sunday early afternoon.   Pack snacks/sandwiches, extra water, rain gear, and extra toddler clothes for accidents.

Mystery Cave

Mystery Cave Visitor Center

Cave Walls

Example of metal grates

Mystery Cave is way more than a tourist trap and worth the trip even for people who cannot stand to be in a tour.  The 1 hour hike departed from a new welcome center with restrooms and a small gift shop.  You must drive to this separate park--about 5-7 minutes from the Forestville entrance.  Tours typically leave on the hour and you can reserve online ahead of time--as we did.  The tour guide shared a wealth of information on the area's hydrology, geology, and history.  It was amazing to see fossil imprints on the cave walls and ceilings from when the area was the bottom of a shallow sea, still visible in the cave.  Bats were also visible hanging inside the cave.  I'd recommend wearing long pants and a jacket, even in the middle of a hot summer--especially for young children.  My 3 year old slipped on a wet iron grate covering an opening under the path and tore his knee open.  He probably could have avoided this had I made him wear pants despite the warm weather outside.     

Water Pool lit from inside

Brad's Final Take:

Forestville and Mystery Cave State Park is worth the 2+ hour drive from Minneapolis or the Twin Cities, even for an overnight, but preferably a 2 night stay.  There is a little for everyone--fly fishing for trout, good distance hikes, 19th Century history, geology/hydrology, wild flowers, bird viewing, plus the cave--unlike any other State Park in Minnesota.

North Branch Root River at Night

Asa in our old North Face Nebula Tent