Hi friends! I can’t wait to share this place with you! Welcome to stop two of this trip, Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park!
Forestville Mystery Cave State Park Information
Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park is located in Preston, MN. It’s named after the former town of Forestville. The park was established in 1949, but didn’t acquire land until 1963 when it was re-established. The mystery caves were added in 1987, which is how the park got it’s current name.
Activities
If you’re looking to hike, there’s 20 miles to explore. Bringing your horse? There are 17 miles of trails surfaced with crushed rock. You will need a trail pass, so make sure you prepare beforehand. Looking to spend time on the water? You can visit the swimming beach, paddle around the lake, and fish.
During the winter months, you can snowmobile on 5 miles of trails. These trails connect to other nearby trails. Snowshoeing is allowed throughout the park as long as you stay off the groomed trails. A warming house with bathrooms is available.
Looking for wildlife? The diversity of this habitat provides homes to many species of wildlife, including rare glacial snails. You can also see deer, raccoons, beaver, mink, opossum, woodchucks, squirrels, foxes, coyotes, 175 species of birds, and several species of amphibians and reptiles.
Camping here? There’s 73 sites–23 of them being electrical and 2 accessible, 55 horse camp sites, 5 cart-in camper cabins, and 2 group camp sites that can accommodate up to 50 people.
Other offerings
The park also offers a ranger station, visitor center, interpretive exhibit, naturalist program, historic site, picnic area, picnic shelter, gift shop, rentals, and firewood sales.
All of this info came from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources website, so credit where credit is due. Click here to view the original source.
Accessibility of Forestville Mystery Cave State Park
Parking
There is a large paved lot at the visitor center, park here for the tours!
Bathrooms
Flush toilets are available seasonally and vault toilets are located throughout the park. The bathrooms at the visitor center were nice.
Getting to the tour
The caves are past the Forestville park entrance. There are signs and you’ll drive down a dirt road. I lost service and thought I was lost, but the signs led the way and I found it no problem. I mean, the website does warns of this for a reason…
Don’t rely on your phone GPS to direct you to Mystery Cave, as they are often incorrect!
However, my GPS got me to the right area, so as long as you follow the signs, you should be good.
Forestville Mystery Cave State Park Tour Information
Mystery Cave was discovered in 1937 and is the longest cave in Minnesota, with over 13 miles of passageways! There are several tour options, including a 1 hour scenic tour (the one I did), 4 hour wild caving tour, a 2.5 hour advanced education tours, and a K-12 groups. Whatever suits your fancy, really.
Some things you need to know:
- The temperature is 48*F (9*C), so dress appropriately
- It can get a little slick. You’re in a cave with actively dripping formations, wear sensible shoes.
- There are some tight areas that will require you to crouch
- Varying terrain: rocks, metal grates, steps to use, ramps available in most places
- Handrails are available, places to sit are not.
- It is lit, but can be dim
- Need to reserve a spot. Tickets are $15 for adults (pre-tax). Can be purchased online or on-site, but they are first come first served
My rating
This trail would fall into the easy category of my rating scale. I did okay, overall. The distance got to me by the end, but my breathing was fine. I also had a little trouble with the change in lighting conditions (my night vision greatly leaves something to be desired), but I followed the guide and handrails and was fine. Like I mentioned above, you’ll need to be good with changing terrain, have the ability to get through narrow thresholds (I had to crouch a little. No hands and knees stuff here.), and do the occasional stair on this tour. I’m sure if you need other accommodation information, the staff would be happy to answer your questions.
Have you been to Forestville Mystery Cave State Park? Want to go? Comment below. I’d love to hear from you.
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Be safe out there! REMEMBER YOUR MAPS AND PASSPORT STAMPS!! Seeyalaterbye <3
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