Visit Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park to see
natural wonders above and below ground. In the summer, beat the heat with a
visit below ground. Explore the world of Mystery Cave with its stalactites,
stalagmites and underground pools. Park naturalists provide tours of the cave
throughout the summer and on weekends in the spring and fall. The temperature
stays at a constant 48 degrees Fahrenheit. Above ground, stop by Historic
Forestville, a restored 1800s village operated by the Minnesota Historical
Society (MHS). Fish three blue-ribbon trout streams for brown trout. Take in the
soft pastels of wildflowers in spring or listen to ruffed grouse drumming and
wild turkeys gobbling. Hike or bring your horse to ride the ridge tops and
stream valleys. Observe interesting geologic features along the way including
sinkholes and dramatic Big Spring. In the fall, don't miss the bold colors of
the forest. Winter invites visitors to ski or snowmobile the Bluff Country.
Quick stats:
3,170 acres
133,756 annual visits
26,256 overnight visits
Naturalist:
The best way to learn more about Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park is to
stop at the park office for a map and information about the park. The park
provides weekend summer interpretive programs on Friday night and Saturday. For
a small fee, enjoy a tour of Mystery Cave every day during the summer and on
weekends in the spring and fall (mid-April to mid-October).
Wildlife
The great variety of habitats supports remarkably different wildlife ranging
from rare glacial snails to timber rattlesnakes. While a few rattlers live in
the park, they are of very little threat if left alone. Please report sightings.
Other wildlife of note include deer, raccoon, beaver, mink, opossum, woodchucks,
four species of squirrels, red and grey fox. Coyote numbers have grown in recent
years and can often can be heard at dusk. Several species of reptiles and
amphibians are also present. At least 175 species of birds have been recorded in
the park including several important neotropical migrants (scarlet tanager, oven
bird, redstart) and a sizeable population of wild turkeys. Barred owls often
wake campers with after dark calling and soaring turkey vultures delight summer
visitors.
History
In the center of the park, along the South Branch of the Root River, is the
townsite of Forestville. Founded in 1853, the village emerged as a rural trade
center, typical of hundreds that emerged across southern Minnesota during the
1850s. Area farmers came to Forestville to trade their farm produce for goods
and services. By 1858, Forestville numbered 100 inhabitants and had 20 buildings
including two general stores, a grist mill, a brickyard, two hotels, a school,
and mechanics of several trades. Forestville prospered until the first area
railroad, the Southern Minnesota, bypassed the community in 1868. Village
residents watched their town struggle to survive, while towns served by the
railroad boomed with prosperity. By 1890, Thomas J. Meighen, son of one of the
town's founders, owned the entire village. The 50 residents made their living on
Mr. Meighen’s farm. In return for their work, his employees received housing,
board and credit in his store. Mr. Meighen also maintained a post office, the
school, a feed and a saw mill.
Geology
Two to five hundred million years ago material was deposited in the bottom of
shallow seas which intermittently covered large portions of North America. As
the deposits increased in thickness, the layers on the bottom were compressed to
form limestone, shale and sandstone. Today in the park, these rocks are 1300
feet above the sea. They are an important factor in the development of the
terrain which exists now. Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park is located within
the karst region of Minnesota. Karst occurs in areas of soluble rocks, usually
limestone or dolomite. As rainwater percolates through the soil, it is rendered
slightly acidic as it picks up carbon dioxide from microbial decay of organic
soil material. This fortified water has the capacity to dissolve the rock. The
effects of this dissolving action are minute from the perspective of a human’s
lifetime. However, over the course of many thousands of years, dramatic changes
occur; the typical features of karst develop – caves and sinkholes form;
underground drainage occurs. The park exhibits many karst features including one
of the most outstanding karst features in the state, Mystery Cave. The cave is a
maze of linear corridors. Over twelve miles of passage exist in two rock layers
with strikingly different compositions. During dry years, the entire South
Branch Root River sinks into the cave through gravel filled crevices in the
river bottom. Forestville also exhibits features of the unglaciated or
“driftless” region. Of the four major glacial advances during the last million
years, only the first two covered the vicinity of Forestville. Downcutting of
stream valleys by powerful glacial meltwater created the steep hills and bluffs
we see in the park and surrounding area today.
Landscape
The steep bluffland topography has created a marked variety of localized
climate conditions. South-facing slopes are warmer and drier. North-facing
slopes are cooler and wetter. In addition, Forestville/Mystery Cave is located
at the edge of two great biomes: the tallgrass prairie to the west, and the
eastern deciduous forest. This combination has resulted in a striking mosaic of
plant communities included prairie, savanna, oak woodland, maple/basswood
forest, and even white pine and fir. Three spring-fed streams converge in the
park, providing habitat for a rich variety of stream life. These streams are
rated among the best trout waters in Minnesota.
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