Previously an unused railroad corridor, this "rail-trail" is now a great place to walk Fido in Lanesboro! The video covers the trail starting at the eastern trailhead in Houston and ending at mile marker 21. The park has plenty of space to roam, along with a restroom, picnic tables, and fire pits located near the parking lot. Apart of the 60 mile paved Blufflands Trail, Root River Trail is the 42-mile segment that takes you along the scenic Root River.Once an old rail grade, now the flat terrain and slight, gradual turns are exceptional for cyclists wanting to crank into high gear and glide. Lanesboro is the hub of the Root River Trail System, about 120 miles southeast of the Twin Cities via Hwy. The railroad was abandoned in 1979, and the Root River State Trail officially opened a few years later in 1986, followed by the Harmony-Preston Valley Trail in 1996. 53.2 Confluence with the Root River. 52 and Fillmore County Road 8. These towns represent the development of the valley and offer the visitor a pleasing focus on rural and small town Minnesota as well as a taste of the past. May 16, Stand-Still Parade in Whalan. Cushon’s Peak Campground offers direct access to the Root River Bike Trail. I read about the trails several years ago but this is the first time I have come up here to ride. The Root River State Trail in southeast Minnesota is a paved, 42-mile bike route through one of the state's most beautiful and unique landscapes: the Driftless Region. This 10’ wide paved trail weaves its way through the beautiful bluff country of Southeast Minnesota. Link to GPS file: Just down the trail, the City of Houston has a Nature Center with many unique educational programs. From there, it forms a loop and ends back where it started. Here, scattered farms fold into hillsides and small towns thrive on trail-goers and other outdoor enthusiasts. The trail system consists of two main segments, the Root River segment, and Harmony-Preston Valley segment. The river, the paved Root River State Trail and the Historic Bluff Country National Scenic Byway (State-16) run side by side on the valley floor. Chris, my dad, and I went for a ride along the Harmony-Preston Valley State Trail and the Root River State Trail. This GPS file, that I’ve been calling the Root River Ramble, is a nice gravel road ride that starts in La Crosse Wisconsin or across the river in La Crescent Minnesota. Biking the state trail, a 42-mile stretch of old Milwaukee Railroad bed, is among the most popular modes of exploration. Time lapse of a bicycle ride on the Root River State Trail in Minnesota. Preston - Settled in 1853 along the South Branch, this community was active in milling. Email Us North Branch of the Root River Miles RIVER 86.5 County Highway 2 bridge. Review Intro. This path was created on an old railroad system. The best southern Minnesota bike trail has to be the Root River Trail. 2020 events: April 24-26, Bluff Country Studio Art Tour. I was really looking forward to biking the Root River Trail during the Fall as it has the reputation of being one of the premier trails in the state. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from April until October. Looking for a great place to spin your wheels? Root River State Trail. To get to the Root River State Trail from the Twin Cities, take US Highway 52 south to Rochester and Fountain. The 125 acres of Root River Park offers many secluded areas to sit and relax, or simply enjoy the outdoors. Lanesboro is much smaller than Northfield, of course, so it’s not a perfect comparison. This is a 42 mile paved trail that starts in Fountain Mn..and runs though Lanesboro,Whalan,Peterson,Rushford and Houston. Amenities include fishing, hiking, and picnicking. 55.0 Outfitter off river, south of Hwy 16. There are seven trailheads along the route, which are clearly marked on the trail map. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The river is a constant companion on the Root River Trail At Isinours Junction, trail users can take a selfie at the MNDNR selfie station-one of ten around the state At Isinours Junction it connects with the 18-mile-long Harmony-Preston Valley Trail, which connects the two communities for which it was named. The Root River State Trail, in Southeastern Minnesota, is one of the top bicycle touring trails in the nation. ROOT RIVER STATE TRAIL HOUSTON FILLMORE Figure 1. Root River Outfitters is family owned and operated. Root River ATV Club came to be in 2018, with our roots from other clubs around southern Minnesota. Bicycle repair stations are provided along the trail. Originally it was part of the Milwaukee Road line that ran from La Crosse, WI and eventually reached Wessington Springs, in eastern South Dakota. Difficulty: Easy gravel roads. The Root River State Trail is one of 1600 rail-trails supported by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, a nonprofit organization that is working to create a nationwide network of trails from former rail lines and connecting corridors. The 42 miles of this state trail go through the picturesque towns of Lanesboro, Whalan, Peterson, Rushford and Houston. The Root River State Trail is a historic rails-to-trails project that lies where the former tracks of the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad once stood. Location of Root River State Trail. Thousands of people visit the path each season because of its flat terrain that winds around the Root River Valley. The Root River Bike Trail, which runs right through Lanesboro, has been voted one of the best bike trails in all of Minnesota. Root River Park is the perfect spot to have a family picnic. Since the Root River State Trail was created, Minnesota has created many great trails. 55.7 Walkway trestle bridge. Alternatively, you can take U.S. Highway 61 south from the Twin Cities to Winona, and State Highway 43 from Winona to Rushford. We bring years of experience to a new, fresh club with family members as its focus. I just wish it actually connected to more destinations closer to the cities, rather than being all isolated out in the middle of rural SE Minnesota. It also connects up with the Harmony Preston Valley State Trail for an additional 18 paved miles.. Much of it lies on the bed of the old Milwaukee Road railroad line that was built in 1882. It passes through several small resort towns you don’t want to miss. A good example is the visual impact of the Root River State Trail as it goes through downtown Lanesboro (screenshots above from the DNR’s cool virtual tour of the trail). We rode from Preston to Lanesboro (I think), where we had a rest at a bar and then returned. The Root River State Bike Trail segment between Whalan and Peterson, an 8.9-mile stretch, will have closures between May 1 and September 4 for bridge replacement and repaving. Root River State Trail to the Harmony-Preston Valley State Trail through ... - 45.5 mi, +1345 ft. Bike ride in Lanesboro, Minnesota Trip Tips: Bicycling in Minnesota's bluff country. Start and finish at the Root River State Trail parking area in Lanesboro. 55.2 County Highway 250 bridge. The trail is primarily used … That’s saying quite a lot for a state known for its rugged outdoors and vast natural spaces! Root River Main Loop is a 1.6 mile lightly trafficked loop trail located near Pleasant Grove, Minnesota that features a river and is good for all skill levels. Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota. 55.0 Root River State Trail bridge. Distance: 167 Miles. This is probably one of the most beautiful & well know trails in South Eastern Minnesota. The railroad grade is now the Root River State Trail. Whether you choose to start in Fountain, Harmony, Lanesboro, Houston, Peterson, Preston, Rushford or Whalan, you’re destined to … 55.8 County Highway 8 bridge and pier fishing. The trails are used mainly for bicycling, hiking, and inline skating in the summer, and for cross country skiing in the winter. Like the winding river it parallels, the Root River State Trail dissects southeastern Minnesota through a landscape rumpled with hills and rocky bluffs. This rental business has been serving river and trail enthusiasts for over 30 years. Please note 51 miles of paved trail will remain open for use—17.4 miles of trail east of Peterson or 33.6 miles west of Whalan. The trail is between Eau Claire and Durand in west central Wisconsin. At Root River Outfitters, we have a great TEAM of employees who work hard so that your trip is a successful day of fun and relaxation. The Root River Bike Trail follows the abandoned tracks of a former railway. The trails are used mainly for bicycling, hiking, and inline skating in … Biking lovers rave about the spectacular paved Root River State Trail that winds 42 miles through the valley with Lanesboro at its heart. Root River State Trail, Houston Kuva: This geography is found on the Root River Trail about five miles west of Laneboro. We stopped in a bike shop in St. Charles, MN for advice. But to many people in the state and around the region, it's still the bicyclists' Champs Elysees. Made the 2 hr drive from the Twin Cities and parked in Rushford biking between Peterson and Houston. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. After your ride, enjoy a hot shower and relax at your campsite. During the summer, my family will make special camping trips just to go biking on this path. Ride the scenic Root River Trail this spring through the fall! 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. 10 Things to do Along the Root River Bike Trail. Welcome To The Chippewa River State Trail, If you enjoy bicycling, walking, running, in-line skating, or snowmobiling, then the Chippewa River State Trail is the place for you. Root River Parkway Loop is a 1.9 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Franklin, Wisconsin that features a great forest setting and is good for all skill levels. Trail Detail - Root River State Trail - Detailed information on a trail, including trail reports, links and maps. 55.9 Root River State Trail bridge. Today the Fall colors the Historic Bluff Country National Scenic Byway. - Katso Tripadvisorin jäsenten 133 rehellistä kuvaa ja videota kohteesta Root River State Trail South of the park maybe 25 miles is the Root River Trail bicycle system. Root River State Trail. 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