Directions and Parking

Historic Forestville is located inside Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park. Do not rely on online maps or GPS when visiting Historic Forestville, the state park, or Mystery Cave, because they may send you to a closed bridge!  

A state park vehicle parking permit or daily parking fee is required. Pay at the ranger station at the park entrance. Drive three-quarters of a mile to the Historic Forestville parking lot, located south of the Root River. Cross the pedestrian bridge and purchase admission tickets at the Historic Forestville visitor center.

Directions

From the north (Twin Cities and Rochester):

Follow US Hwy. 52 south from the Twin Cities. Just south of Rochester, take U.S. Hwy. 63 south. Go through Racine turn left (east) on Minn. Hwy. 16/52 and continue through Spring Valley. Continue straight on Minn. Hwy. 16 after U.S. Hwy. 63 splits off to the right. Follow Minn. Hwy. 16 east approximately five miles, then turn right (south) on Fillmore County 5 at the Forestville State park sign. Three miles later, turn left (east) on Fillmore County 118 at another Forestville State Park sign. Enter the state park, and the ranger station will be on your right.

From the east (Preston):

Take US Hwy. 52 north and just north of Preston, turn left on Minn. Hwy. 16 (west). Follow Minn. Hwy. 16 west approximately seven miles, then turn left (south) on Fillmore County 5 at the Forestville State Park sign. Three miles later, turn left (east) on Fillmore County 118 at another Forestville State Park sign. Enter the state park, and the ranger station will be on your right.

From the west (Spring Valley):

Take Minn. Hwy. 16 and continue on 16 after U.S. Hwy. 63 splits off to the right. Follow Minn. Hwy. 16 east approximately five miles, then turn right (south) on Fillmore County 5 at the Forestville State park sign. Three miles later, turn left (east) on Fillmore County 118 at another Forestville State Park sign. Enter the state park, and the ranger station will be on your right.

From the southeast (Decorah, Iowa):

Follow U.S. Hwy. 52 north. Cross the Minnesota state line. Continue on 52 north through Canton, Harmony, and Preston. Just north of Preston, turn left on Minn. Hwy. 16 going west. Follow Minn. Hwy. 16 west approximately seven miles, then turn left (south) on Fillmore County 5 at the Forestville State Park sign. Three miles later, turn left (east) on Fillmore County 118 at another Forestville State Park sign. Enter the state park, and the ranger station will be on your right.

From the south (Waterloo, Iowa):

Follow U.S. Hwy. 63 north and cross the Minnesota state line. After about five miles, turn right (east) on Fillmore County 14 at the Forestville State Park sign. Five miles later, turn left (north) on Fillmore County 5. Pass Forestville/Mystery Cave on your left and continue heading north on County 5. Three miles later, turn right (east) on Fillmore County 118 at the Forestville State Park sign. Enter the state park, and the ranger station will be on your right.