Mystery Cave extends for over 13 miles underground.
The village of Forestville was bypassed by the railroad in the 1860s, which led to its preservation as a 'time capsule' town.
The cave temperature remains a constant 48 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the year.
Archaeological research in the area has uncovered fossils dating back millions of years.
The Meighen family operated the village store from 1868 until 1910.
The park is located in a rare 'driftless' region, meaning the terrain was not smoothed over by glaciers during the last Ice Age.
Forestville State Park features the historic 1800s village of Forestville, preserved to depict life in a frontier town. The site is managed by the Minnesota Historical Society in partnership with the Department of Natural Resources. Beneath the surface, the park encompasses Mystery Cave, the longest cave system in Minnesota. The cave features underground lakes, stalactites, and stalagmites formed within limestone layers. Visitors can tour the restored 1856 Meighen Store and surrounding period-accurate buildings. The park is situated within the karst topography of the Root River Valley. Interpretive tours explain the geology of the cave and the social history of the village residents. The park office serves as the central hub for visitor check-ins and tour coordination.
The interior of the restored Meighen General Store or the entrance to the cave.
Bring a light jacket for cave tours as temperatures remain cool year-round.
Wear sturdy, closed-toe walking shoes to navigate uneven cave paths and village trails.
Check the state park website for tour availability, as cave tours often sell out during weekends.
Attempting to enter the cave system without a guided tour or professional supervision.
Mystery Cave tours are seasonal and typically unavailable during winter; the historic village site has specific seasonal operating days.
Do not touch cave formations as oils from skin can damage them; maintain quiet in historic buildings.
