Root River Weekend

Join us for a fun Labor Day weekend outing, Friday, August 29th through Monday, September 1st, Lanesboro, MN, along the Root River Trail.

The Root River State Trail system offers 60 miles of paved bicycle trails. The trail winds through the valley of the Root River, past towering 300-foot limestone bluffs, forests and rolling fields. Along the way, you may also see wildlife including wild turkeys, deer, hawks and turkey vultures. Rattlesnakes can occasionally be found on rock outcrops, along the river bottoms, or sunning themselves on the trail.

Lanesboro is at the heart of the Root River State Trail, which branches out in three directions. Each day, there will be an option for a bike ride on one of the three branches of the trail. All of the rides are out-and-back on the trail, so you get to choose your desired mileage each day.

Suggested rides (round-trip mileage) are:

• Saturday: 21 miles (short, to Preston); 46 miles (medium, to Harmony); 58 miles (long, to Niagara Cave)
• Sunday: 27 miles (short, to Peterson); 37 miles (medium, to Rushford); 62 miles (long, to Houston)
• Monday: 24 miles (to Fountain)

We will gather each evening, for a group dinner and to discuss plans for the following day. Some people may choose to join the bicycle ride, while other may choose canoeing, kayaking or tubing on the river (Root River Outfitters, Little River General Store), going for a tour of the Amish community (Amish Backroads Tour, Bluffscape Amish Tour) or visiting the Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center. There is a theater (Commonweal Theatre) within walking distance if staying in Lanesboro, so that is an option for evening entertainment.

Click on the year for photos of past events: 2023, 2019, 2017, 2015, 2013

Lanesboro Accommodations and Reservations
Suggested accommodations, all located in Lanesboro, include:

• Green Gables Inn (Reserve Online. $127-$256/night + tax)
• A Guest Hus Motel (Reserve Online. $85-$105/night + tax)
• City of Lanesboro Riverview Campground (No reservations. First-come/first-served)
• Eagle Cliff Campground & Lodging (Reserve Online or call 507-467-2598)

There are many other motels, inns, B&Bs and campgrounds listed on the Lanesboro Chamber of Commerce website.

Please make your own motel, B&B or campground reservation to suit your needs. If you are staying for the weekend, check-in is on Friday, August 29th, so that you can join the Friday dinner gathering.