Root River Trail

Description: This is one of the premier paved recreation trails in the state and in the country. Long and scenic, it is centered around the quaint small town of Lanesboro in southern Minnesota. For a multi-day skate outing, this is as good as you get.

Getting There: Lanesboro is south of Rochester in the very southeast corner of the state. From the Twin Cities, drive south on Highway 52 past Rochester. Shortly after the town of Chatfield, you will come to the small town of Fountain, western terminus of the trail. You can park here or turn east on Highway 8 to Lanesboro.

Length: The entire trail is about 60 miles long. Really fantastic is that Lanesboro is sort of the wheel hub of the trail's three spokes: west to Fountain, east to Rushford, and south to Harmony. This makes for excellent out-and-back skates from Lanesboro.

Other nearby trails: The Douglas State Trail is just north of Rochester. No information on this trail.

Links: Minnesota DNR - Root River Segment

Minnesota DNR - Harmony-Preston Valley Segment