Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park — Attraction in Cresco

A hidden gem in SE MN. Located in a karst region, you quickly move from flat farmland to "hills and valleys" characteristic of this geology. The park is located within this area making for some dramatic vistas and varying topology.

Because of this variation, cellular service is unreliable until you get out of the lower elevations. Keep this in mind. Geo maps, compass or weather radio are your best friends here.

There are three campground loops but most are non-electric. Most sites are fully or partially tree-covered which helps to shade but can hinder the breeze.

Biting black flies are bad at this park. Raccoons too. Absolute must to keep all food enclosed and secured in vehicle or trailer to discourage the bandit visitors from visiting your camp.

This is a big park with lots to do. Hiking is nice but not noteworthy. Many are shared horse trails and clearly very popular with riders; you may spend more time looking down to avoid "land-mines" than looking around the trails and views.

The picnic area situated along the South Branch of the Root River is fantastic and shaded by some of the largest and oldest elm trees left in the state. The shelter building is great as well, with bathrooms located within.

A short walk from the picnic area is the historic town of Forestville. Operated by the MN Historical Society, its a nice afternoon activity to explore the area, talk with some of the historians and peruse the General Store - the center of activity during the life of the town. Approximately 70% of the items inside are original to the site and were left when the store closed, offering a rare look into life from a different time.

Another great activity, especially to beat the summer heat, is to tour nearby Mystery Cave, and learn what makes the SE region of MN so geologically different from the rest...

This is a great place to stop if in the area, but it wouldn't be a final destination point. The Palisades Trail is the best trail in the park. It has beautiful views. The information boards along the trails didn't say "you are here," so it was hard to figure out exactly where we were at times. The map is on a rough scale, so it is difficult to figure out where we wanted to go next. The cemetery was on the map but didn't exist on the trail for a #3, which is what it was labeled as. We backtracked to try and find it. The bathrooms were clean. Historic Forestville was nice. Overall, it's a great place to get your steps in, but not the best park I...

Forestville State Park is a quiet and peaceful retreat, perfect for those seeking a serene hiking experience. The Hiking Club Trail follows a picturesque creek, adding to the park’s natural charm. However, numerous fallen trees obstruct portions of the trail, which could make hiking more challenging, especially during snow, slush, or muddy conditions. While the park may not have any standout features, it seems like an excellent spot to visit in the fall when the foliage is at its peak. Note that cellphone reception is limited...