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Trail Length

42 miles

Trail Start and End Details

Root River State Trail is a paved route connecting a series of small towns in southeast Minnesota, from Fountain to Houston. There are seven trailheads along the route, which are clearly marked on the trail map.

Description and Tips

Root River State Trail follows the Root River for much of the way, and is mostly level with a section of steeper hills just west of Houston. The trail offers beautiful views of limestone bluffs and wooded hillsides. There are campgrounds along the route, and other amenities in the towns the trail passes through; stop in Lanesboro for plenty of places to eat, and check out Aroma Pie Shoppe in Whalan. There are bike tune-up stations at every trailhead, and public bathrooms at all but Whalan. Root River State Trail connects with Harmony–Preston Valley State Trail, for more than 60 miles of paved trails through this scenic part of Minnesota.

Submitted By

Jeanne Fitzgerald, Randy Creeger