Several Southeast Minnesota Parks, Trails Reopen After Flooding

If you've been waiting to get back out and enjoy the southeast Minnesota parks and trails affected by last week's flooding, here's some encouraging news.

Just a few days after heavy rain dumped more than eight inches in parts of Fillmore County and forced multiple park and trail closures, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says several popular outdoor destinations are reopening as cleanup continues.

County Road 118 at Mystery Cave - July 2, 2026 (MN State Parks and Trails)

Mystery Cave Tours Resume After Flooding

The biggest update is at Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park. The park is open, and Mystery Cave tours are scheduled to resume on Wednesday, July 8, after flooding forced officials to cancel tours over the holiday weekend. Visitors should still expect a few trail closures, including parts of the Sandbank Trail, due to erosion. Be sure to follow posted signs around any closed areas.

Beaver Creek Valley State Park, July 7, 2026: Beaver Creek stream bank erosion after a flooding event. (MN State Parks and Trails)

Root River State Trail, Snake Creek, and Trout Valley Now Open

The Root River State Trail is also in much better shape. Most of the mud, downed trees, and other debris have been cleared, but cleanup crews are still working in some locations. If you're planning a ride or hike, keep an eye out for cones, barrels, fencing, or other signs marking active work zones or hazards.

Root River State Trail, July 2, 2026 (MN State Parks and Trails)

There are more reopenings, too. The multi-use trails in the Snake Creek and Trout Valley forest recreation areas inside Richard J. Dorer State Forest are now open again.

The Chatfield ATV Trail has also reopened.

Beaver Creek Valley State Park Remains Closed

One area remains off-limits, and that’s Beaver Creek Valley State Park. The park is still closed while crews continue to remove debris and evaluate damage to roads and a bridge caused by the flooding.

Beaver Creek Valley State Park, July 7, 2026. A bridge was buried in sediment after floodwaters receded. (MN State Parks and Trails)

The Southeast Minnesota ATV Trail also remains closed.

Before heading out, the DNR asks visitors to check the latest park and trail alerts, as conditions can still change while cleanup and repairs continue.

10 Highest-Rated Minnesota State Parks

Visiting every state park in Minnesota is an excellent bucket list goal, but with 65 of them spread across the state, where do you start? Trip Advisor has curated a list of the best Minnesota state parks based on the rankings given by visitors who have come before you. Scroll through the list of the 10 highest-rated state parks in Minnesota and start exploring!

Gallery Credit: Minnesota Now

Source: Flood Recovery Brings Good News for Southeast Minnesota Parks and Trails