Small Town Cycling on the Root River State Trail

Root River State Trail

Distance: 42 miles

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Minnesota’s Root River State Trail covers 42 miles through the limestone bluffs and river valleys of the state’s southeast corner. It follows the Root River through a region known as Bluff Country, connecting a string of small towns that feel almost unchanged from the days when this path carried trains instead of bicycles.

A quick start, then to the hills

The trail begins in Fountain, a quiet town on the high prairie west of the river, also known as the Sinkhole Capital of the USA. From there, it descends gradually through farmland before entering a stretch of wooded valley. The path is smooth asphalt, well maintained, and wide enough to make passing easy. The first few miles are fast, and as the trail drops toward Lanesboro, the scenery opens up into rolling hills, sandstone cliffs, and the river winding through meadows and fields.

Lanesboro, with its vibrant arts and heritage scene, is one of Minnesota’s most charming small towns. It sits right on the trail, with bike shops, cafes, and bed-and-breakfasts clustered within a few blocks. Riders often stop here for lunch or turn it into an overnight base before continuing toward the river’s lower sections. Just outside town, the trail crosses the Root River several times on restored steel bridges, each offering a clear view of the water and the bluffs that rise beyond it.

A gentle Minnesota bike trail

East of Lanesboro, the trail moves through more forested terrain, passing through Whalan, Peterson, and Rushford before reaching Houston at its southern end. Each town has a small rest area or depot, many with restrooms and water. The grade is gentle enough for families, but the scenery keeps it interesting — stretches of open valley give way to shaded canopies of maple and oak, and glimpses of the river appear regularly alongside the path.

The trail surface is nearly all paved, with minor wear in spots where roots press beneath the asphalt. On weekends, the Lanesboro area can be busy, especially in summer, but outside of town the path is much quieter. Wind can funnel through the valleys depending on the season and spring flooding occasionally closes short sections near the riverbanks, though detours are usually well marked.

The Root River Trail is one of those routes that captures a region in full — scenic, small-town, and grounded in history.

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