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Stories

Summer outdoor concerts are the best!

June 26, 2023 by Visit Bluff Country

Sit back and enjoy an outdoor music concert in Bluff Country. Photo courtesy of Dana Gunn

By Charlene Corson Selbee

Kick off the Fourth of July weekend at one of the many outdoor music concerts scheduled in Bluff County this summer. 

Community Spirit Caledonia, a community-driven group of volunteers, is hosting the annual Music in the Park series. The four outdoor music concerts are held at the Gazebo Park, within walking distance of downtown Caledonia, Minn. In case of inclement weather, head to the city auditorium.

Reserve Tuesday, June 27, July 11, 18, and the 25 from 6–7:30 p.m. on your calendar. Organizer Dana Gunn mentioned that every night at 5:30 p.m., a picnic dinner is available for $6, adding that different groups in the community prepare the dinners as a fundraiser. There are also root beer floats and popcorn for sale.

“It’s a nice way to spend a summer evening. There is a variety of music over the five weeks, something for everyone! It’s a free, family-friendly event,” emphasized Gunn.

Bands scheduled for your enjoyment include the Buck Hollow Band, The Executives, Dan Van, and the Barbershop Quartet (Thick N’ Thin – male quartet and A Note Above – female quartet). 

On Thursday, July 13, and August 10, head to Preston, Minn., for Rhythm by the River from 6-8 p.m., to hear the soul-resonating sounds of River Crossing and Root River Jam, respectively. 

A favorite lawn chair nights music series takes place throughout the summer on Thursday nights at either the courthouse square or downtown on Washington Street in Decorah, Iowa. Bands scheduled to perform include Decorah Municipal Band, Michael McGrath, Kristen Ford, Nordic Dancers, Ronley King Blues Band, Clare Doyle, Jake Manders & Gretta Hunstiger, Buck Hollow Band, and Holding Hemlock.

Spring Grove Chamber of Commerce is hosting the 2023 Music & Market events on Wednesday evenings in Viking Memorial Park from 4–7 p.m., with the music starting at 5 p.m.

The City of Harmony Arts Board is hosting the 2023 Back Alley Jam Series. The next concert is on July 20, featuring The Paper Clips. The concerts are held from 6-8 p.m. in the alley behind Harmony Spirits in downtown Harmony, Minn. Food and beverages are available  for purchase from local restaurants.

The Root River in Lanesboro is the perfect setting for Rhythms on the Root. Saturday, July 8, features Sleeping Jesus and on Saturday, August 12, is singer-songwriter Faith Boblett. Concerts begin at 6 p.m.

Concertgoers should bring their lawn chairs.

Upcoming events in Bluff County

• Through July 30, Great River Shakespeare Festival, Winona, Minn.

• June 30-July 4, Riverfest, La Crosse, Wis.

• July 2-4, July 4th Celebration, Harmony, Minn.

• 4th of July Celebration, Charles City, Iowa

The Visit Bluff Country Magazine is delivered to more than 1,000 locations in 35 counties in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. This magazine has a mission of promoting tourism in the Historic Bluff Country (Driftless) region.

For information on upcoming town festivals and events in Historic Bluff Country, vacation ideas for lodging, recreation, dining, and shopping, check out the magazine in print or online at www.visitbluffcountry.com.

Filed Under: Stories

Norwegian for a day

May 15, 2023 by Visit Bluff Country

The Decorah Nordic Dancers performing at Spring Grove’s Syttende May celebration. Photo by Charlene Corson Selbee

By Charlene Corson Selbee

You do not have to be Norwegian or a kid to enjoy Spring Grove’s Syttende Mai celebration Wednesday. May 17 through Sunday, May 21.

On May 17, Norwegians celebrate the 1814 signing of the country’s constitution. In Norway Constitution Day is a party for everyone especially children. Spring Grove has planned a weekend of events for children, so don’t leave yours at home! There will also be plenty of activities for adults.

Barnetoget, the children’s parade starts off the activities at 1:15 p.m. on Wednesday at the Spring Grove School. The parade heads down Main Street to the Viking Memorial Park. Kindergarteners will ride in the Viking ship and children in grades 1-6 will follow behind singing and waving Norwegian flags. At the park the children will weave a Maypole and play familiar outdoor games like Kubb, rope pulling, and sack races before enjoying a delicious snack of Varme Pølse (hot dog wrapped in lefsa) and Spring Grove soda.

What could be more fun than Running with the Gnomes 5K race on Saturday? Join in and dress up as your favorite Gnome.

At noon on Saturday is the Grand Parade featuring the Nordic Dancers, a group of youth from Decorah, Iowa, clowns, dogs, antique cars, floats, and more.

On Friday evening from 7-10 p.m. is a dance specifically for teens at the Fest Building.

On Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Viking Park and the Trinity Church grounds will be filled with children’s activities including the pedal pull competition, inflatables, yard games, nerf war, petting zoo, bingo, human hamster balls, Balloons by Kevin, Tappy’s Face as well as Kaptain Kirby Train. The annual soap box races will be held on South Division Ave.

Adults have not been left out of the fun! Visitors will find Pat’s Brewery selling wood fired pizza and craft beer; for the book connoisseur, local author Joanne Griffen is signing her new book and there is a quilt show, live entertainment, and vendors will be setup at Viking Park plus Spring Grove stores will be open. Town residents will open their garage doors for the city-wide garage sale on Friday and Saturday plus there are special exhibits at the Giants of the Earth Heritage Center.

Visitors will not leave hungry. Enjoy tradition Norwegian delicacies, brats, pork burgers, and waffles.

Walk the Norwegian Ridge Trail located in the wooded hills on the outskirts of Spring Grove during your visit.

Visit sgsyttendemai.com/schedule for the complete schedule of fun activities.

Upcoming Bluff County events

•SEMBA Spring Bluegrass Festival, Houston, Minn., May 19-21

•Preston Trout Days, Preston, Minn., May 19-21

•Root River Triathlon, Houston, Minn., May 20

•Spring Valley 100 Bike Race, Spring Valley, Minn., May 20

•State Veterans Cemetery Memorial Day Ceremony, Preston, Minn., May 28

The Visit Bluff Country Magazine is delivered to more than 1,000 locations in 35 counties in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. This magazine has a mission of promoting tourism in the Historic Bluff Country (Driftless) region.

For information on upcoming town festivals and events in Historic Bluff Country, vacation ideas for lodging, recreation, dining, and shopping, check out the magazine in print or online at www.visitbluffcountry.com.

Filed Under: Stories Tagged With: Spring Grove

Trout Fishing – An activity for all ages and skill levels

May 8, 2023 by Visit Bluff Country

By Charlene Corson Selbee

Do memories of fishing as a child swirl in your head? Have you wanted to learn to fish and did not know where to begin?
You may not be familiar with Bluff Country.

The scenic Bluff Country region of southeast Minnesota and northeast Iowa offers hundreds of miles of streams of quality trout fishing. In addition, the natural cold streams make for a healthy habitat where trout can thrive.

People come to this region to fish for brown, brook, and rainbow trout. Most fish caught in this area are rainbow trout. Experienced fishers come to this region angling for brook trout, which are native to Minnesota and Iowa.

“Stop into Root River Rod Co. to talk with us. We can answer your questions. We also carry the DNR map and regulation books. We sell all flies and lures for the non-fly fisher,” shared Lance Prado, owner of Root River Rod Co. “Fillmore County boasts the best trout fishing in southeast Minnesota. In the Root River, you can fish for trout, smallmouth bass, pike, and walleye. We do not sell licenses here, but they are easy to purchase online or at the BP gas station in town.”

Owner and fishing guide, Lance Prado, Root River Rod Co., Lanesboro, fly fishing the trout rich Root River.
Photo courtesy of Lanesboro Chamber of Commerce

Don’t forget your fishing license

Minnesota DNR reminds residents and visitors to only buy fishing licenses either through the Minnesota DNR website, calling (888) 665-4236, or from a state-approved vendor. DNR has a list of approved vendors by county available on its website. There are 12 locations in Fillmore County and nine in Houston County.

The Iowa DNR website also lists the state’s approved vendors. For example, there are 13 vendors in Winneshiek County.

Minnesota DNR
Iowa DNR
Wisconsin DNR

Include a stop at Driftless Fly Fishing Co. in Preston and talk with owner Mel Hayner for information, tips, and directions. Hayner proudly boasts, “We can help you catch trout in SE Minnesota!” If visitors are wondering what the current conditions are, Hayner offers a fishing hotline, (507) 327-4276, every other Saturday during the fishing season, and he provides free fly-fishing classes. Driftless Fly Fishing Co. guides are Orvis endorsed guides.

Trout fishing for all ages, abilities and skill from Sylvan Park fishing dock in Lanesboro, Minn.
Photo courtesy of Lanesboro Chamber of Commerce.

Root River Rod Co., a full-service fly shop in Lanesboro, offers full and half day guided drift boat and guided wade trips.

Serious fishers recommend reading Trout Streams of Wisconsin and Minnesota by Jim Humphrey and Bill Shogren in addition to the Minnesota and Iowa DNR regulation books. The book contains everything you need to know, and it names specific creeks and streams, plus the book includes maps.

In memory of Steve Sobieniak

Steve Sobieniak, a nationally known maker of bamboo fly fishing rods and owner of Root River Rod Co., a full-service fly shop in Lanesboro, Minn., died September 22, 2022, after a year-long battle with cancer.   

Throughout his 67 years, he was recognized as an artisan carpenter in the Twin Cities which combined with his love of fly fishing that he learned from his father as a young boy, paved the road to becaming a master bamboo fly fishing rod craftsman.                

In 2017, after leaving the construction industry to make rods full time, he and his wife Vicki opened Root River Rod Co in historic Lanesboro. The store is now owned and operated by his daughter Alayna and son-in-law Lance Prado.     

His knowledge of the trout fishing in Southeast Minnesota as well as his deep knowledge of fly-fishing history is a loss felt throughout the area and the wider fly-fishing community. Steve often was the smiling face greeting anglers as they walked into the fly shop. He was known for his kindness, generosity, integrity, and support for trout stream conservation. From diagnosis to the very end, Steve traveled his path with complete strength, courage, and an amazingly positive attitude.               

Steve loved the Root River and being a part of the Lanesboro community. There will be a Root River cleanup this summer in Steve’s honor.

Filed Under: Stories

A pilgrimage to connect with your ancestors

May 10, 2022 by Visit Bluff Country

Photo by Charlene Corson Selbee
By Charlene Corson Selbee

Traditionally, pilgrimages are thought of as a journey to a sacred place in a foreign county searching for a higher good that leads to a life-altering experience. Family genealogists go on pilgrimages to learn or expand their knowledge about their roots which leads to personal transformations.
Visitors come to the Bluff Country of SE Minnesota, NE Iowa, and SW Wisconsin to learn more about their ancestors and walk in their footsteps. Bluff Country is a hotbed for family genealogists because European emigrants landed in this area thanks to the mighty Mississippi River and the landscape. The emigrants either passed through this area as they traveled west or settled in scenic Bluff Country.

Kevin Lee, president, Decorah (Iowa) Genealogy Association (DGA), said, “There is a map at DGA that shows where visitors are from. They are from all around the world. Many visitors stay a night or two, so they can conduct research.”

The Houston County Historical Society research library and museum located on the fairgrounds in Caledonia, Minn.
Photo by Charlene Corson Selbee
Sara Sturgis, executive director Fillmore County Historical Museum and Library in Fountain, Minn., expanded, “Seventy percent of our visitors are family genealogists.”

Bluff Country is home to a vast array of resources. In addition to research libraries and museums, there are also enthusiastic experts to assist researchers in their search.

Preston Historical Campus located minutes from historic downtown Preston.
Photo submitted by Preston Historical Society
Starting on a genealogy journey can cause one to pause and ponder where to start. Experienced genealogists recommend starting at home. First, talk with the family elders and record their stories to help guide your journey. Also, look around the house for diaries, family Bibles, artifacts, and photographs, as these are all part of your family’s history and will provide clues that will be useful.

President Stacey Gossling, Winneshiek County Historical Society, in Decorah, Iowa, shared, “The second most searched topic on the internet is genealogy.”

The Houston County Historical research library and museum is located on History Lane.
Photo by Charlene Corson Selbee
It is helpful to check out the online resources before venturing out. Online resources save time, answer questions, and conjure up new questions. Area historical societies offer limited subscriptions to online resources. For example, the Winneshiek County Historical Society has an Ancestry.com subscription that offers limited access and a subscription to Fold3, the premier online collection of military records.

A smartphone comes in handy for taking photos and shooting videos, recording interviews, taking notes, and GPS. However, be prepared to pay with cash because some research libraries do not accept debit or credit cards and charge a fee for assistance and copies or ask for donations. As a reminder, cell service might not be available in all areas of the bluff region, especially in the deep valleys, so have a backup plan.

Do not rush! Make sure to include time to leisurely look through the abundance of documents, files, and photographs. Resources available at research libraries and museums include public records for births, deaths, marriages, naturalization, probates, early land records, clippings, photos, online newspaper database, obituaries, plat maps, business directories, state and federal census records, school records, military records, yearbooks, family histories, township histories, county histories, cemetery records, and newsletters.

Giants of the Earth Heritage Center located in Spring Grove, Minn.
Photo submitted by Giants of the Earth Heritage Center
At the Giants of the Earth Heritage Center in Spring Grove, Minn., they have a video recording of area residents that they have interviewed and recorded, plus they also offer DNA testing.
Do not be afraid to ask questions. Take time to visit with the genealogy experts. It is suggested that you call and make an appointment because many centers have limited hours. Check out their websites first before venturing out, as you can request information online.

Fillmore County Historical Society Center and the Giants of the Earth Heritage Center both offer space for family reunions.

According to the Giants of the Earth Heritage Center website, “The Center has a community gathering space including a large pull-down screen. Families gathering for a reunion can take advantage of a sound-proof filming studio to preserve family stories today that will be available to the young people of the future so they can see and hear preceding generations of the family that they did not get to meet.”

Winneshiek County Historical Society sponsors workshops at the Frankville Cemetery.
Photo submitted by Stacey Gossling, Winneshiek County Historical Society
Don’t forget to visit cemeteries. Cemeteries provide a wealth of family history. Ask at the historical museums and centers for a map of the cemeteries or a list of cemeteries. In addition, the Winneshiek County Historical Society and the Decorah Genealogy Association created a trail of cemeteries to assist visitors in finding the county’s cemeteries. The map includes GPA coordinates.
Ninety-year-old Georgia Rosendahl, an active volunteer at Giants of the Earth Heritage Center, mentioned that the Center has a complete list of cemeteries in the area. Genealogist John Erickson shared, “The museum in Peterson (Minnesota) has an Index of Cemeteries of most of the cemeteries in the neighborhood.” In addition, Findagrave.com is touted as a reliable online resource that includes photos and information.

Family genealogists learning about WWII POWs at the Fillmore County Historical Society Annual Meeting.
Photo submitted by Fillmore County Historical Society
Sheila Craig with the Preston Historical Society (PHS) mentioned that Preston, Minn., has a Historic Outdoor campus that includes a 1902 Milwaukee Elevator, 1939 Milwaukee Road box car, 1951 Milwaukee Road caboose, and a Milwaukee Road motor car. In addition, PHS created a historic walking tour map available on the town’s chamber website.
In addition to maintaining a research library, county historical societies are responsible for the county museums. County museums contain enormous collections of artifacts donated by area families. The Houston County Historical Society (Minnesota) has multiple rooms and a variety of historic buildings to tour.

Caution! Once you start on your pilgrimage to trace your family’s roots, it will become addictive, and it will morph into a much bigger project than you could ever imagine. Moreover, the journey will prove to be unending.

Local Historical Society / Genealogy Resources

No listings found.

Filed Under: News, Stories, Uncategorized

The year to hike Scenic Bluff Country

May 10, 2022 by Visit Bluff Country

By Charlene Corson Selbee

Effigy Mounds.
Photo by Prairie du Chien Chamber of Commerce
It is not difficult to find a hiking trail in picturesque Bluff Country, as many communities proudly claim at least one hiking trail.

Bluff Country terrain offers trails for all ages and skill levels. The landscape includes miles of rolling hills, scenic overlooks, woods, rivers, rocky bluffs, farms, charming towns, wildlife, and birds.

In Preston, Minn., check out Isinours Junction, which connects with the 18-mile-long Harmony-Preston Valley Trail. There are two interpretive signs on the trail. The first one features the “lost depot,” The other sign highlights the historic “turntable.”

Vetch Park Blufftop.
Photo courtesy of La Crescent Chamber of Commerce
Just 20 minutes south of Rochester, Minn., is Chatfield. Chatfield is located on the Root River Trail and proudly boasts the Lost Creek Hiking Trail. The 6.5-mile trail runs in one direction alongside private land, with parking at Groen Park in Chatfield. The trail is maintained by the Bluff Country Hiking Club, which describes the trail as a natural surface trail. This technical trail features steep climbs and blufftop vistas, several creek crossings, and challenging terrain. The trail is open to the public year-round except during firearms season in November. Brochures are available at either trailhead or in the city park at the visitor’s information center. In February, the hiking club hosts a Candlelight Snowshoe Hike. Snowshoes are available from the club.

Hiking at Eagle Bluff.
Photo courtesy of Eagle Bluff
Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center outside of Lanesboro, Minn., has over nine miles of trails open to the public seven days a week, dawn till dust! Eagle Bluff Advancement Director Joe Goetzke shares, “There are many species of birds for viewing on our campus, including bald eagle, indigo bunting, tufted titmouse, pileated woodpecker, scarlet tanager, American redstart, and more! Winter fun on the trails includes snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Goetzke summarizes, “Enjoy incredible views and breathtaking beauty from our scenic overlooks.”

Alltrails.com shares that Maglessen Bluff Park is a 1.5-mile lightly trafficked loop trail in Rushford, Minn., features a great forest setting and is suitable for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, running, and nature trails. Dogs are allowed to use this trail but must be kept on a leash.

The Norwegian Ridge Birding & Nature Trails, located on the east side of Spring Grove, Minn., is a combination of three mowed trails (1-, 2-, or 3.5-mile option) that winds over bridges and through meadows, deciduous forests, agricultural lands and around ponds. The trail is open yearlong for hiking nine months of the year and snowshoeing the rest of the year. Parking is available at the grocery store near the trailhead.

Photo courtesy of La Crescent Chamber of Commerce
Apple Blossom Overlook Park is in Dakota, Minn. According to the La Crescent Chamber of Commerce, it is an easy 7-minute drive up to the top of the Scenic Apple Blossom Drive (Elm St.). The Chamber of Commerce director shared that those visitors will be treated to sweeping views of the main channel of the Mississippi River and the Driftless region. A 1.5-mile looping trail with oak-hickory-birch woods and goat prairies provides a variety of scenery for hiking and snowshoeing. The wide trails are suitable for all abilities.

Executive Director Julie Hatlem, La Crescent Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism, recommends visitors check out Vetsch Park, “A gem of a park.” The park is in La Crescent city limits and offers a variety of looping trails and terrain with access to the top of the bluff.

Twin Springs.
Photo by Nick Chill
Hatlem suggested Eagles Bluff Park. The La Crescent park offers a variety of wooded hiking trails that take you up to the top of the bluff.

“Great River Bluff State Park located in Winona, Minn., sits high on the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River; scenic overlooks are easily reached by walking trails and offer a chance to get away in the quiet bluff country. Oak-hickory woods, pine plantations, and goat prairies provide excellent birding, scenery, hiking on over six miles of trails and nine miles of mostly intermediate level cross-country ski trails,” shared Hatlem.

Are you looking for a leisurely stroll? Como Falls is located behind the fire station in Hokah, Minn.

Photo courtesy of Prairie du Chien Chamber of Commerce
Recommended Wisconsin hiking trails in the Prairie du Chien, Wis., area include Lawler Park and Nelson Dewey State Park. In addition to offering a variety of terrain, scenic overlooks, birds, and wildlife, both parks share historical stories of the area. Lawler Park offers a river walk with interpretive markers detailing the many layers of Prairie du Chien history. The Nelson Dewey State Park is part of the original estate of Wisconsin’s first governor, Nelson Dewey.

La Riviere Park, a 300-acre nature park located in SE Prairie du Chien, is managed for its natural beauty, wild plants, and wildlife. There are six miles of nature and hiking trails. Winter activity includes snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and sledding. Wildlife abounds in this nature park and is a bird watchers’ haven. Prairie du Chien has been a Wisconsin Bird City since 2013.

The Prairie du Chien area highlights include the one-mile Sturgeon Slough Hiking Trail. The trail is accessed from the rest stop on Hwy. 18 between Prairie du Chien and Marquette, Iowa.

Yellow River State Forest, near Harpers Ferry, Iowa, and Effigy Mounds National Monument, offers more than 50 miles of multi-purpose trails for all skill levels. Hikers traverse through mature forests.

Blue Dragonfly at Cardinal Marsh near Cresco, Iowa.
Photo by Charlene Corson Selbee
Visitors and residents flock to Pikes Peak State Park, McGregor, Iowa, Mt. Hosmer Lookout and Park, Lansing, Iowa, and Effigy Mounds National Monument, Harpers Ferry, Iowa, to take in the picturesque vistas of the mighty Mississippi River. Have your camera ready to snap pictures of the eagles soaring in the sky above the bluffs. Hiking trails are available at all three locations.

When in Northeast Iowa, visit Decorah, a haven for walkers. Check out the 11-mile Trout Run Trail, Prairie and Butterfly Garden, Dunning Springs, Phelps Park, Palisades Park, Twin Springs, and the Decorah Fish Hatchery. Dogs on leash are welcome.

Spend a quiet day at Cardinal Marsh, Wildlife Management Area, minutes from Ridgeway, Iowa, taking photos of butterflies, dragonflies, birds, and wildlife.

Now, head outside and enjoy Bluff Country!

Filed Under: News, Stories, Uncategorized

Caves, underground streams, waterfalls, and sinkholes

May 10, 2022 by Visit Bluff Country

By Charlene Corson Selbee

Effigy Mounds.
Photo by Brooklyn Holmstrom
This is the year to explore the karst topography both above and below ground in the driftless region. Years 2021 and 2022 are celebrated as the International Year of Caves and Karst.

“The 24,000 square miles of the driftless area is almost the size of Iowa and Wisconsin and encompasses four states and 46 counties,” explained George Howe with Sustainable Driftless, Inc. and film producer of Mysteries of the Driftless and Decoding the Driftless. The driftless region includes southwestern Wisconsin, southeastern Minnesota, northeastern Iowa, and the far northwestern corner of Illinois.

Why the name “driftless”? According to Wikipedia, the Driftless Area is an area “never covered by ice during the last ice age, and therefore lacks glacial deposits, also termed drift. The landscape in the driftless region is characterized by steep hills, forested ridges, deeply carved river valleys, and karst geology with spring-fed waterfalls and cold-water trout streams.”

Effigy Mounds.
Photo by Brooklyn Holmstrom
The Oxford Languages online dictionary defines karst as, “Landscape underlain by limestone which has been eroded by dissolution, producing ridges, towers, fissures, sinkholes, and other characteristic landforms.”

Visitors come to the driftless region for world-class fly fishing, mountain biking on inclines steeper than can be found in mountains, to paddle the numerous rivers, rock climbing, hiking, birding, hunting, camping, exploring caves, taking pictures, admiring waterfalls both underground and above ground, and sightseeing.

Howe explained, “The driftless is world-famous for trout fishing and known throughout the world for birding as there are many species of birds.” The Mississippi Flyway is a bird migration route that follows the Mississippi River. Over 40% of North America’s migrating birds follow this route.

“The top three destinations in the United States are New York, Hollywood, and the Mississippi River,” shared Howe.

Visitors explore the Mississippi River in paddle boats, speed boats, canoes, and cruise ships.

Native Americans found the richness of the area beneficial, and their footprints are still evident in the area. A must stop is Effigy Mounds National Monument, Harper Ferry, Iowa. Howe explained, “There are more Native American mounds in this area than anywhere else in the world.”

Fishing at Upper Twin Springs.
Photo by Wanda Askleson
Howe’s top picks

  1. Start in Wabasha, Minn., and follow the scenic Great River Road, which follows the majestic Mississippi River to Lansing, Iowa, or venture further south to Dubuque, Iowa.
  2. Wisconsin Dells, Wis., and Devil’s Lake State Park, Baraboo, Wis.
  3. SE MN sinkholes and caves – Niagara Cave, Harmony, Minn.; Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park; and Fountain, Minn., Sink Hole Capital of the U.S.
  4. Bike or travel the Root River Trail in SE MN by foot or head to the Elroy-Sparta State Trail, Wis.; the oldest rail to trail initiative goes through three tunnels.
  5. Lake Pepin, a natural lake and the widest part of the Mississippi River, is not only rare, but beautiful. Lake Pepin is known as the birthplace of water skiing.

Dawn Ryan, founder, and Sabrina M. Fluegel, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Marketing consultant for DARK (Driftless Area Karst Trail) note that there are 69 stops on the trail known as discovery areas. Check out the Driftless.caves.org website for more information and download the interactive self-guided driving tour app, Flyover Country, to create a personalized itinerary.

Ryan and Fluegel’s top picks

  1. Mystery Cave, Niagara Cave, and Cave of the Mounds are excellent examples of caves.
  2. Dresbach Welcome Center in Dakota, Minn., boasts a karst exhibit.
  3. Checkout the Chimney Rock Footbridge, a single-span, rustic-style stone, and timber pedestrian bridge designed by N. Averill and built in 1935 by the Civilian Conservation Corps at the Whitewater State Park in Altura, Minn.
  4. John Latsch State Park, Minnesota City, Minn., a 1,654-acre state park borders the Mississippi River. Hiking trails lead to the top of the three bluffs, – Mount Faith, Mount Hope, and Mount Charity that provide spectacular views of the river.
  5. Coldwater Cave State Preserve, Bluffton, Iowa. A spectacular cave is located under the rich black dirt of pristine Iowa farmland in NE Iowa. A trail is available for visitors as the entrance to the cave is gated closed.
  6. Wyalusing State Park, Bagley, Wis., is one of Wisconsin’s oldest state parks, offering campsites, hiking trails, a canoe trail, Native American burial mounds, bird watching, fishing, boating, bicycling, and picnicking at the top of overlooks.

DARK can be found on Facebook and Instagram @driftlessareakarsttrail. Use #driftlesslive when posting so everyone can enjoy your journey and photographs.

Filed Under: News, Stories

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136 St. Anthony Street | PO Box 496
Preston, MN. 55965

800-599-0481
A publication of the Fillmore County Journal

Plan Your Visit

  • Attractions
  • Recreation
  • Eat & Drink
  • Shopping
  • Lodging
  • Explore Iowa
  • Explore Minnesota
  • Explore Wisconsin
  • Explore Historic Bluff Country
  • Plan Your Visit
  • Area Events

Information

  • Bluff Country News & Stories
  • Business Directory
  • The Best Winners 2025
  • Visitor Guidebook
  • Visit Bluff Country Distribution
  • Advertise
  • Gallery
  • Submit Your Photos
  • Live Cams
  • Visitor Centers
  • Home

Minnesota Towns

  • Brownsville
  • Caledonia
  • Canton
  • Chatfield
  • Fountain
  • Fremont
  • Harmony
  • Hokah
  • Houston
  • Kellogg
  • La Crescent
  • Lake City
  • Lanesboro
  • LeRoy
  • Mabel
  • Millville
  • Peterson
  • Plainview
  • Preston
  • Red Wing
  • Rushford
  • Rushford Village
  • Spring Grove
  • Spring Valley
  • Wabasha
  • Whalan
  • Winona
  • Wykoff

Iowa Towns

  • Bluffton
  • Burr Oak
  • Cresco
  • Decorah
  • Elkader
  • Hawkeye
  • Highlandville
  • Lansing
  • Lime Springs
  • Marquette-McGregor
  • Riceville
  • Waukon

Wisconsin Towns

  • Alma
  • Bay City
  • Fountain City
  • Galesville
  • La Crosse
  • Nelson
  • Pepin
  • Prairie du Chien
  • Warrens

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