Forestville Mystery Cave State Park Park
State park centered on extensive cave system
Visitors come for Mystery Cave-the state's longest known cave-alongside the restored Forestville 19th‑century townsite, with guided cave tours, hiking trails and campgrounds in southeast Minnesota.
Forestville Mystery Cave State Park at a Glance#
About Forestville Mystery Cave State Park#
Forestville Mystery Cave State Park in southeastern Minnesota protects both a large karst cave system and the historic Forestville townsite. The park’s two main attractions are underground cave tours and the reconstructed 19th-century village interpretation.
Guided tours run into Mystery Cave, where passages and speleothems draw visitors; the Forestville Townsite offers museum-style exhibits and seasonal programming on pioneer life. Trails and picnic areas link the park’s features.
The state park was established to protect the cave and the historic townsite and to provide interpreted public access; development has focused on safe visitor routes into the cave and restoration of Forestville’s buildings.
The park lies in Fillmore County in southeastern Minnesota, near the town of Preston and roughly 150 km southeast of the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
- Cave length: Mystery Cave is the longest known cave in Minnesota, with more than 13 miles (over 20 kilometres) of explored passageways.
- Dual attractions: The park combines natural cave features with a historic 19th-century village, giving two distinct visitor experiences in one site.
What to See#
- Mystery Cave: A cave system open to guided tours that extends for more than 13 miles of known passages and includes dripstone formations and underground streams.
- Forestville Townsite: A reconstructed 19th-century townsite that interprets rural Minnesota life and includes restored buildings and seasonal programs.
How to Get to Forestville Mystery Cave State Park#
The park is near Preston and Spring Valley, Minnesota. From Rochester or nearby towns, follow state and county roads to the park entrance; parking and visitor services are on site.
Tips for Visiting Forestville Mystery Cave State Park#
- Book a guided cave tour in advance (if available) - the cave and facilities are managed and access changes seasonally.
- Wear a sturdy jacket; cave temperatures are cool year-round and can be damp.
- Allow time to visit the adjacent interpretive displays about regional karst geology.
Best Time to Visit Forestville Mystery Cave State Park#
Best in summer for full visitor services and guided tours; spring and autumn for quieter visits.
Weather & Climate near Forestville Mystery Cave State Park#
Forestville Mystery Cave State Park's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Continental - Hot-Summer Continental climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -16°C to 28°C. Moderate rainfall (849 mm/year).
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | -16° - -6° | -18° | 24 mm | - | - | 4.1 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | -12° - -2° | -13° | 21 mm | - | - | 4.1 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | -5° - 5° | -5° | 51 mm | - | - | 4.3 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 2° - 13° | 5° | 78 mm | - | - | 4.6 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 8° - 20° | 14° | 98 mm | - | - | 4.3 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 13° - 26° | 19° | 107 mm | - | - | 3.5 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 16° - 28° | 22° | 110 mm | - | - | 2.9 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 14° - 26° | 20° | 114 mm | - | - | 2.7 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 10° - 22° | 16° | 100 mm | - | - | 3.2 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 3° - 15° | 7° | 66 mm | - | - | 3.8 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | -4° - 5° | -4° | 48 mm | - | - | 4.0 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | -12° - -3° | -14° | 32 mm | - | - | 4.0 m/s | - | - |