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Root River Trail Towns

Visit the Root River Trail System and Towns

  • Towns
    • Chatfield
    • Fountain
    • Preston
    • Harmony
    • Lanesboro
    • Whalan
    • Peterson
    • Rushford Village
    • Rushford
    • Houston
    • La Crescent
  • Trails
    • Root River State Trail System
    • Water Trails
    • Hiking Trails
    • ATV/UTV Trails
    • Snowmobile Trails
    • Snowshoeing
    • Cross Country Skiing
  • Explore
    • Attractions
    • Recreation
    • Eat & Drink
    • Stores & Services
    • Stay
    • Trip Ideas
  • Events
    • 60-Mile Garage Sale
    • Root River Valley Autumn Trail
    • Community Events
  • Plan
    • Business Directory
    • Trail Wide Services
    • Bike Share program
    • News
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    • About
Root River Trail Towns

Root Trail Bike Trail video clips courtesy of David Pederson.

Welcome to the Root River Trail Towns where our communities share a variety of trails for you to explore. 

The Root River & Harmony-Preston Valley state trail systems combine to create over 60 miles of paved,
DNR maintained trail to enjoy biking, rollerblading, walking and cross country skiing. 
Access to the Root River and other water trails to paddle, float, swim and fish.
 And also enjoy the area hiking trails, ATV trails and winter fun.

Explore Trails

Root River State Trail System Graphic
Water Trails Button

Explore Things To Do

Root, River, Bike, State, Trail, Bluff, Country, Southeast, Minnesota, Fountain, Harmony, Houston, Lanesboro, Peterson, Preston, Rushford, Rushford Village, Whalan, Bike Groups, Walking, Hiking, Skiing, Cross Country, Fishing, Tubing, Canoeing, Kayaking, Tanking, Swimming, Sink Hole, Amish, Tours, Niagara Cave, International Owl Center, Scenic Byway, Highway 16, Hwy, Taste of the Trail, Houston Hoedown, Festival of Owls, Root River Triathlon, Camping, Hunting, Golfing, Snowshoeing, snowmobiling, nature Center, prairie plants, Commonweal, Theatre, St. Mane, Antiques, Art, Art in the Park, Buffalo Bill Days, Bed and Breakfast, Rhubarb Festival, Wine Tasting, Breweries, Distillery, Norwegian, Culture, Railroads, Station Museum, Ole and Lena, Gammel Dag Fest, Trout Days, Trout Capital, National Trout Center, Driftless, Mystery Cave, Forestville State Park, Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery, Historic, Lefse, Stand Still Parade, Bluffs
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Root, River, Bike, State, Trail, Bluff, Country, Southeast, Minnesota, Fountain, Harmony, Houston, Lanesboro, Peterson, Preston, Rushford, Rushford Village, Whalan, Bike Groups, Walking, Hiking, Skiing, Cross Country, Fishing, Tubing, Canoeing, Kayaking, Tanking, Swimming, Sink Hole, Amish, Tours, Niagara Cave, International Owl Center, Scenic Byway, Highway 16, Hwy, Taste of the Trail, Houston Hoedown, Festival of Owls, Root River Triathlon, Camping, Hunting, Golfing, Snowshoeing, snowmobiling, nature Center, prairie plants, Commonweal, Theatre, St. Mane, Antiques, Art, Art in the Park, Buffalo Bill Days, Bed and Breakfast, Rhubarb Festival, Wine Tasting, Breweries, Distillery, Norwegian, Culture, Railroads, Station Museum, Ole and Lena, Gammel Dag Fest, Trout Days, Trout Capital, National Trout Center, Driftless, Mystery Cave, Forestville State Park, Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery, Historic, Lefse, Stand Still Parade, Bluffs
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Explore Towns

Chatfield

Gateway to the Root River Valley and sits along the Root River.

Visit Chatfield

Fountain

Located on the western terminus of the Root River Trail System.

Visit Fountain

Preston

Minnesota’s Trout Capital
and is located along the Root River.

Visit Preston

Harmony

Located on the southern terminus of the Harmony-Preston Valley Trail System.

Visit Harmony

Lanesboro

Tucked along the banks of the Root River and is the heart of Bluff Country.

Visit Lanesboro

Whalan

Located on the Root River State Bike Trail and is the smallest town on the trail.

Visit Whalan

Peterson

Gustav, one of Peterson’s twin gnomes, welcomes you along the Root River Bike Trail.

Visit Peterson

Rushford Village

Nestled in the Root River Valley between bluffs and State Forest.

Visit Rushford Village

Rushford

Home of a Lefse Factory and is a not-to-miss destination on the Root River Trail.

Visit Rushford

Houston

Tucked in the Root River Valley and boasts one of the best trailheads in the state.

Visit Houston

La Crescent

Tucked along the bluffs of the Mississippi River is located on three scenic byways.

Visit La Crescent

Enjoy Events

15 - 18 May
  • Lanesboro

Bluff Country Gathering

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15 May
  • Chatfield

Chatfield’s Growers and Makers Market

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16 - 17 May
  • Preston
Root, River, Bike, State, Trail, Bluff, Country, Southeast, Minnesota, Fountain, Harmony, Houston, Lanesboro, Peterson, Preston, Rushford, Rushford Village, Whalan, Bike Groups, Walking, Hiking, Skiing, Cross Country, Fishing, Tubing, Canoeing, Kayaking, Tanking, Swimming, Sink Hole, Amish, Tours, Niagara Cave, International Owl Center, Scenic Byway, Highway 16, Hwy, Taste of the Trail, Houston Hoedown, Festival of Owls, Root River Triathlon, Camping, Hunting, Golfing, Snowshoeing, snowmobiling, nature Center, prairie plants, Commonweal, Theatre, St. Mane, Antiques, Art, Art in the Park, Buffalo Bill Days, Bed and Breakfast, Rhubarb Festival, Wine Tasting, Breweries, Distillery, Norwegian, Culture, Railroads, Station Museum, Ole and Lena, Gammel Dag Fest, Trout Days, Trout Capital, National Trout Center, Driftless, Mystery Cave, Forestville State Park, Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery, Historic, Lefse, Stand Still Parade, Bluffs

Preston Trout Days

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16 - 18 May
  • Houston
  • Rushford
Root, River, Bike, State, Trail, Bluff, Country, Southeast, Minnesota, Fountain, Harmony, Houston, Lanesboro, Peterson, Preston, Rushford, Rushford Village, Whalan, Bike Groups, Walking, Hiking, Skiing, Cross Country, Fishing, Tubing, Canoeing, Kayaking, Tanking, Swimming, Sink Hole, Amish, Tours, Niagara Cave, International Owl Center, Scenic Byway, Highway 16, Hwy, Taste of the Trail, Houston Hoedown, Festival of Owls, Root River Triathlon, Camping, Hunting, Golfing, Snowshoeing, snowmobiling, nature Center, prairie plants, Commonweal, Theatre, St. Mane, Antiques, Art, Art in the Park, Buffalo Bill Days, Bed and Breakfast, Rhubarb Festival, Wine Tasting, Breweries, Distillery, Norwegian, Culture, Railroads, Station Museum, Ole and Lena, Gammel Dag Fest, Trout Days, Trout Capital, National Trout Center, Driftless, Mystery Cave, Forestville State Park, Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery, Historic, Lefse, Stand Still Parade, Bluffs, Art in the Park, Harmony 4th of July

SEMBA Bluegrass Festival

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17 May
  • Preston

Preston Pop Up Market

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20 May
  • Rushford

Rushford Peterson Valley Farmers Market

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No event found!

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Root, River, Bike, State, Trail, Bluff, Country, Southeast, Minnesota, Fountain, Harmony, Houston, Lanesboro, Peterson, Preston, Rushford, Rushford Village, Whalan, Bike Groups, Walking, Hiking, Skiing, Cross Country, Fishing, Tubing, Canoeing, Kayaking, Tanking, Swimming, Sink Hole, Amish, Tours, Niagara Cave, International Owl Center, Scenic Byway, Highway 16, Hwy, Taste of the Trail, Houston Hoedown, Festival of Owls, Root River Triathlon, Camping, Hunting, Golfing, Snowshoeing, snowmobiling, nature Center, prairie plants, Commonweal, Theatre, St. Mane, Antiques, Art, Art in the Park, Buffalo Bill Days, Bed and Breakfast, Rhubarb Festival, Wine Tasting, Breweries, Distillery, Norwegian, Culture, Railroads, Station Museum, Ole and Lena, Gammel Dag Fest, Trout Days, Trout Capital, National Trout Center, Driftless, Mystery Cave, Forestville State Park, Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery, Historic, Lefse, Stand Still Parade, Bluffs

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The Root River Trail Towns

Root, River, Bike, State, Trail, Bluff, Country, Southeast, Minnesota, Fountain, Harmony, Houston, Lanesboro, Peterson, Preston, Rushford, Rushford Village, Whalan, Bike Groups, Walking, Hiking, Skiing, Cross Country, Fishing, Tubing, Canoeing, Kayaking, Tanking, Swimming, Sink Hole, Amish, Tours, Niagara Cave, International Owl Center, Scenic Byway, Highway 16, Hwy, Taste of the Trail, Houston Hoedown, Festival of Owls, Root River Triathlon, Camping, Hunting, Golfing, Snowshoeing, snowmobiling, nature Center, prairie plants,  Commonweal, Theatre, St. Mane, Antiques, Art, Art in the Park, Buffalo Bill Days, Bed and Breakfast, Rhubarb Festival, Wine Tasting, Breweries, Distillery, Norwegian, Culture, Railroads, Station Museum, Ole and Lena, Gammel Dag Fest, Trout Days, Trout Capital, National Trout Center, Driftless, Mystery Cave, Forestville State Park, Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery, Historic, Lefse, Stand Still Parade, Bluffs

Root, River, Bike, State, Trail, Bluff, Country, Southeast, Minnesota, Fountain, Harmony, Houston, Lanesboro, Peterson, Preston, Rushford, Rushford Village, Whalan, Bike Groups, Walking, Hiking, Skiing, Cross Country, Fishing, Tubing, Canoeing, Kayaking, Tanking, Swimming, Sink Hole, Amish, Tours, Niagara Cave, International Owl Center, Scenic Byway, Highway 16, Hwy, Taste of the Trail, Houston Hoedown, Festival of Owls, Root River Triathlon, Camping, Hunting, Golfing, Snowshoeing, snowmobiling, nature Center, prairie plants, Commonweal, Theatre, St. Mane, Antiques, Art, Art in the Park, Buffalo Bill Days, Bed and Breakfast, Rhubarb Festival, Wine Tasting, Breweries, Distillery, Norwegian, Culture, Railroads, Station Museum, Ole and Lena, Gammel Dag Fest, Trout Days, Trout Capital, National Trout Center, Driftless, Mystery Cave, Forestville State Park, Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery, Historic, Lefse, Stand Still Parade, Bluffs

  • Chatfield
  • Fountain
  • Preston
  • Harmony
  • Lanesboro
  • Whalan
  • Peterson
  • Rushford Village
  • Rushford
  • Houston
  • La Crescent
  • Attractions
  • Recreation
  • Eat & Drink
  • Stay
  • Stores & Services
  • Directory
  • 60-Mile Garage Sale
  • Root River Valley Autumn Trail
  • Town Events
  • Trip Ideas
  • News & Information
  • Root River State Trail System
  • Bike Share program
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