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Forestville-Mystery Cave
Overview
Forestville-Mystery Cave State Park offers a unique blend of natural wonder and pioneer history within the scenic Driftless Area of southeastern Minnesota. This destination is renowned for its extensive cave system and a preserved 1890s village, making it a multifaceted stop for RVers exploring the region. Whether you are looking to dive into geological mysteries or step back in time, the park provides a tranquil setting for a memorable outdoor adventure.
Location & Surroundings
Situated near the charming town of Preston, MN, the park sits atop a fascinating karst landscape characterized by dramatic sinkholes and disappearing streams. The South Branch Root River winds through the property, carved deeply into limestone bluffs that define the area. The surrounding hardwood forests provide a vibrant canopy that offers shade in the summer and a brilliant display of color during the autumn months, creating a peaceful backdrop for your stay.
Amenities & Park Features
The park provides a variety of camping options, including 73 drive-in sites with several offering electrical hookups specifically designed for RVs. During the peak season, travelers have access to modern restrooms, hot showers, and a convenient dump station located near the park entrance. For those traveling with animals, the park is notably horse-friendly, featuring a dedicated equestrian campground and miles of well-maintained trails that accommodate riders and hikers alike.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
The primary draw is Mystery Cave, where guided tours lead visitors through underground passages to see stalactites, stalagmites, and crystal-clear pools. History enthusiasts should not miss Historic Forestville, a living history site operated by the Minnesota Historical Society where costumed interpreters bring a 19th-century town to life. Additionally, the river is a premier destination for fly-fishing, known for its healthy population of brown trout.
Who This Park Is Best For
This park is an ideal match for nature enthusiasts and families who prioritize educational experiences and outdoor recreation over commercial resort amenities. It is a fantastic choice for anglers and hikers seeking a quiet, rustic atmosphere with direct access to the water. RVers who appreciate a deep connection to local history and unique geological features will find the park's slower pace and natural beauty truly rewarding.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
- Hunting Nearby (within 20 miles)
User Reviews
Tom Davison
Beautiful park, secluded spots. No cell service no Wi-Fi, which was awesome.
Kyle Miller
Really liked this place with all the history of the town! Loved the mine there but no cell service there which I wasn’t used to. Staff was very friendly and helpful.
Amanda Voeltz
Our reservation got messed up and they put us in non electric. The staff in the campground were not friendly. The parking self is beautiful and the cave tour was great.
Shanae Al-Kordi
The Ranger and front desk personnel were very kind. We got a flat tire and although they were not able to directly assist with that issue, they were willing to drive us to the nearby campground to try to solve the problem. Everything ended up fine and the park is gorgeous!! We will be back
Suzanna Annis
Mystery cave is a must see, but the rest of the park has little to offer guests except some hiking. The one event that had been scheduled was cancelled, which was disappointing. The bridge was out as well so it is a 20 minute drive to Historic forestville and it was closed and buildings border up. You can self tour if you want, you just can't go in the buildings. Hopefully things go back to normal next year for them. Camp grounds were clean and well maintained.
Sarah Chernatinski
We decided to walk around at the main park for a bit before our cave tour. The cave is not at the main park so you will have to drive for about 7 minutes to get from the main park to the cave. The road has large brown signs that indicate where you need to go so even if you don't have the cave address or your GPS doesn't have signal, you can still find the cave by following the signs. The park was large and I believe I heard some say there are more than 16 miles of trails. Lots of room for campers and tent camping. We also noticed lots of spots in the parking lots of handicap parking. The historic town area has the bridge blocked off as they are working on repairs and historical preservation so to see the historical town, you'll need to drive to the other side which takes a while from what I saw. We did not end up going since we didn't have a lot of extra time. Park staff was very helpful and informative.
J M
We had a great scenic tour! I took my 5 kids and one in a stroller. The pathways are narrow so a double stroller or wide wheelchair will struggle to make it through. The welcome center has a learning center that is interesting for kids and adults. All around a great place with reasonable prices and options for those who want a more hands on cave experience. NO CELLPHONE SERVICE once you drive onto the park so make sure you remember which turns to take on the way out. It is a few minutes drive before cell service returns for GPS.
Nicole Nelsen
Signs to get to the right part of the park are fantastic in this area. If you need to get to the cave tours, just plug in the park to get to the general area and follow the signs after that. We took the 2 hour geology tour in the caves with my 8 and 9 yo, and it was a total blast with great information. Well worth the longer tour and slightly higher price. Easy hikes in the park with a great lookout point. Forestville ghost town has 1 hour tours that we really enjoyed to see how people loved during the 1800’s. Perfect family outing day when you do all three!!
Alysia Thomas
Why had I never heard of this place? It's awesome! Beautiful hiking, amazing wildflowers, cool historic ghost town. And the cave tour!? Awesome. Our guide, Trev, was so informative and very patient with my super curious ten year old who had a million questions. Then in the visitor center, Dan, at the information desk, was so kind to that same child and had a 15 minute conversation about becoming a geologist. My geology-loving daughter loved every minute and the rest of us enjoyed ourselves too. We'll definitely be back to do the other tours. Such a cool place!