Ultimate Guide to Mystery Cave State Park, Minnesota (Tours, Pricing, History, Map)
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Minnesota has 62 state parks, and each one is beautiful. There is one state park that is slightly different from the others. The Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park was once a town but is now a stunningly beautiful state park with a rich history.
Mystery Cave State Park, Minnesota
The state park has two locations about 10 miles from each other. The traditional park is located in the Forestville unit, and the Mystery Cave unit has a unique cave tour. It houses Mystery Cave, the longest cave in the state. The park is accessible to the public and receives thousands of visitors every year.
History of Mystery Cave State Park
Joe Petty discovered the 13.2 miles of caves on 3rd Feb 1937. He had dug a hole and saw steam coming out of the ground, which led to the eventual discovery of the caves. They are the longest caves in Minnesota, and the state of Minnesota purchased the Mystery Caves in 1988.
The caves were formed by the water, which was slowly seeping underground. The cave is made from limestone and shale. When the limestone fractured due to the seeping water, the caves developed. But many people have wondered why the caves are named Mystery Caves.
Well, the Mystery Caves were under private ownership for many years, and the name cropped up when two young men were leveling the floor for the benefit of the visitors.
The cave was full of mud and rocks, and leveling it was tedious. The people working in the caves thought that it was a mystery that any visitor would ever want to visit such a rough cave. One of the men who worked there and commented was Clarence Prohaska.
Ten years later, he returned to the area and purchased the cave. The property’s original owners were the Blakesley family, and the caves were given the name – Mystery Caves by Mr. Prohaska.
Today the Mystery Caves are fully accessible to the public, and it is a mystery why would anyone not want to visit them.
Geological Cave Formations in Mystery Cave State Park
Around 450 million ago, sedimentary rocks were deposited on the land as the shallow seas intermittently covered it. The alternating deposits of mud and oceanic debris were compressed to form limestone, shale, and sandstone layers.
Today, these layers are 1300 ft above sea level. The cave has excellent geological formations, including stalagmites, stalactites, and underground pools.
Wildlife in Mystery Cave State Park
The park has a wide range of wildlife, including rare species like timber rattlesnakes and glacial snails and common species like mink, opossum, fox, woodchuck, and different squirrels. Many reptiles and amphibians are also present in the park.
As per records, there are more than 175 species of birds in the park, and the Root River is full of brook trout, rainbow trout, and brown trout.
Is Mystery Cave State Park Haunted?
The Mystery Cave State Park is the 2nd most visited in Minnesota, and there has never been any report of it being haunted.
How Big is Mystery Cave State Park?
The state park covers an area of 3583 acres, and the cave has a length of 13 miles.
Mystery Cave State Park Tours
The Mystery Cave, with more than 13 miles of underground passages, is the longest in Minnesota. The underground passages were formed when the moving water dissolved the rock. The cave has adequate lighting, and various tours on offer showcase different features of the cave.
The visitors would see the incredible display of stalagmites, stalactites, fossils, flowstones, and underground pools through these tours. The accompanying guide will explain how the cave and its unique features were formed over the years.
The tours are in demand and it is advisable to reserve the tours in advance to avoid disappointment. There are no restrooms inside the cave, and all visitors are requested not to take any rocks or artifacts from the cave.
The cave tours run from May to September, and their timings are 9 am to 5 pm. Some of the tours last only 45 minutes, while others go on for a couple of hours or even more! The different tours are as follows.
Scenic Tour (1 hour)
It is a popular one-hour tour that promises to give you the best overall cave experience. One will see the beautiful cave formations, mineral deposits, pools, and linear passageways. Some of the formations are ‘alive’ and can be found dripping.
All these features are illuminated with dramatic lighting, making the cave look beautiful. It is a wheelchair-accessible tour involving walking on metal bridges and modern paved trails.
Lantern Tour (1 hour)
It is a tour hugely dependent on flashlights, and children under eight are not allowed on this tour. It is a rugged tour that is fully guided and promises to deliver an extensive interpretation of cave geology.
The only light source is the lanterns, and the tour takes place through the long and straight passages, among the longest in the Mystery Cave. The passages are dry, and visitors will also see the Blue Lake on tour. It is a physically challenging tour as you will need to walk on rugged paths and uneven stairs made from stone.
Geology Tour (2 hours)
In this two-hour rugged tour, you will learn about the geological processes that shaped the Mystery Cave. It is a challenging tour and covers a distance of one mile. Children under eight years of age are not allowed on this tour.
Wild Caving Tour (4 hours)
All participants must be in proper physical condition to participate in this tour. The tour is much different than walking on a paved trail. It is a 1.6-mile round-trip tour, and you will need to walk over boulders, dirt, and even mud! It is a very strenuous tour as participants would have to do climbing, crawling, and sliding to get through this tour. To participate in such tours, you must be willing to get muddy.
Mystery Cave State Park Tour Prices and Discounts
The different tours of the Mystery Cave are priced differently.
Scenic Tour
Adults – USD 15
Children (aged 5 to 12 years) – USD 10
Children (under five years) – Free, but a ticket would still be required.
Lantern Tour
Adults – USD 18 pp, (above eight years)
Geology Tour
Adults (aged eight years and above) – USD 23 pp
Wild Caving Tour
Adults – USD 80 pp, non-refundable.
Apart from the above rates, one also needs to purchase a daily permit to enter the park for USD 7.
Is Mystery Cave State Park Cold?
The temperature inside the cave is 48 degrees F throughout the year.
What to Wear?
All participants are advised to dress warmly and wear sturdy walking shoes. Sandals and open-toed shoes are not allowed in some of the tours.
Mystery Cave State Park Hours
The park hours are from 8 am to 10 pm.
What to Do at Mystery Cave State Park (Beside Tours)
The Mystery Cave is the park’s chief attraction, but other recreational facilities are available for visitors. There are a couple of seasonal picnic areas with drinking water facilities. The main picnic area is within the park, and it is an all-season picnic shelter with toilets and running water. The enclosed picnic shelter becomes a warming house in the winter.
Fishing is another popular activity here and if you are good at angling, you can catch a lot of trout here. There are also scenic hiking and horse trails which promise a great view of the surroundings.
Best Time to Visit Mystery Cave State Park
Summer is the preferred season for visitors.
How to Get to Mystery Cave State Park
The park is in southeastern Minnesota, between Preston and Spring Valley. The entrance to the park is 4 miles south of State Highway 16 on the Fillmore County Highway 5.
To get to the Mystery Cave, you need to take County Road 118 west from the park to County Road 5. Then turn left and follow County Road 5 south for about 2 miles. On 180th Street, turn right and go west 3/4th mile. Turn right onto the Old Cave Road at the next intersection, then proceed ½ mile to the Mystery Cave entrance.
Hotels near Mystery Cave State Park
Camping is possible in the Mystery Cave Park area. The group campsites are in a wooded area with facilities like lights and electric outlets. Limited drive-in camping facilities are available for the trailers and small campers.
Among the hotels, Country Trails Inn & Suites and Trailhead Inn are close to the park.
Mystery Cave State Park Fun Facts
It is the 2nd most popular state park in Minnesota.
The park is in an area that is noted for its Karst topography, which includes caves and sinkholes. The Mystery Cave is around 5 miles from the park.
There are 13 miles of passages in the two rock layers.
Mystery Cave State Park Details
- Length: The park covers an area of 3583 acres, and the cave is 13 miles of passage.
- Time Recommended: 2 to 3 hours
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Kid-friendly: Yes
- Dog-friendly: Only service dogs
- Fees: Free entry to the park, but a permit is needed, which costs USD 7
- Hours: 8 am to 10 pm
Visiting Mystery Cave State Park
Do you need more information before visiting? Call (507) 808 – 8000 or email Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park for an information packet.
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