Seven miles northeast of Preston, Forestville Mystery Cave State Park Campground sits in a forested valley where thick vegetation creates a naturally damp environment. The campground operates year-round with sites accommodating RVs up to 50 feet, though jim C. notes that "all the ones in the electric loop looked pretty level." Three distinct camping areas serve different needs: a primitive loop with pit toilets, a tent loop with shower access but no electricity, and a full-service RV section.
Cell service remains nonexistent throughout the campground across all major carriers, though WiFi is available at the ranger office. daniel H. describes feeling "so secluded and hidden away in the woods" despite the park's accessibility. The shower facilities feature individual rooms rather than communal setups, and campers consistently report clean conditions. Sandy soil provides good drainage during wet weather, helping sites dry quickly after rain.
The park's signature Mystery Cave offers guided tours that require advance weekend reservations. Hiking trails wind through mostly wooded terrain with varying difficulty levels, including a 4.5-mile round trip to the historic Forestville village. Cold water trout streams run shallow enough for wading when weather permits. Some trail signage proves limited, making navigation challenging in certain areas. Site #4 backs up to the river but sits unlevel, while site #42 offers privacy with partial shade and a level gravel tent pad.
Winter camping remains available with heated facilities, though the thick forest canopy creates persistent moisture that some find uncomfortable. The historic Forestville townsite operates with limited weekday hours but allows exterior exploration. Television reception picks up about 15 stations for those wanting connectivity.
Campers seeking additional options can explore campgrounds near Preston, while Maple Springs Campground provides an alternative just one mile west.
Description
Campground is open April 1 - November 30
Arrive prepared. Go to mndnr.gov/forestville for visitor alerts and seasonal updates.
RV Road Trip Guides
Location
Public CampgroundForestville Mystery Cave State Park Campground is located in Minnesota
Directions
Park Entrance: Approximately 5 miles south of Wykoff. Entrance to the park is 4 miles south of State Highway 16 on Fillmore County Road 5, then 2 miles east on Fillmore County Road 118. Mystery Cave Entrance is 6 miles south on County Road 5 from State Highway 16. Right-hand turn on 180th street west, 3/4 mile, turn right on Old Cave Road, travel 1/2 mile north. On your left is Mystery Cave Entrance Road.
Address
21071 County 118
Preston, MN 55965
Coordinates
43.62925697 N
92.22073744 W
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Access
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
- Cabins
- Tent Cabin
- Equestrian
Features
For Campers
- ADA Access
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Reservable
- Showers
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- 30 Amp Hookups
- Big Rig Friendly
Contact
General Info
Reservations
Drive Time
- 41 min from Rochester, MN
- 1 hr 20 min from La Crosse, WI
- 1 hr 27 min from Waterloo, IA
- 2 hrs 14 min from Eau Claire, WI
































