Minnesota Has an Underground River that Flows Just 45 Minutes from Rochester

Minnesota is full of mystery. We've got so much history and lots of cool places to explore. But did you know, that Minnesota has an underground river? And it's actually not too far from Rochester.

Natural Mysteries of Minnesota

One of my favorite random little things about Minnesota is that there's a forest shaped like the state of Minnesota.

Technically it's not 100% natural, obviously someone shaped it that way, but it's still really cool!

READ MORE: Forest Shaped Like Our State Hidden in Northern MN

Minnesota's Underground River

This mystery is 100% created by nature. I don't believe there was any human intervention here. Just 45 minutes from Rochester, you can explore the underground Root River.

Of course I've heard of the Root River but I had no idea it went underground! Thanks to Only in Your State, I learned about this!

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Have you heard of Forestville/Mystery Caves State Park? That's where the Root River dips into the caves below.

At the state park, we're able to take tours that go into these caves and we can see the underground Root River for ourselves. Sadly, the tours for 2024 have ended. But don't worry, they pick up again in May, so start making plans for 2025.

Fun fact about exploring caves, inside it's the same temperature year-round. On the Mystery Caves website, they say it's always 48 degrees. But that also means that the water cools down while it takes its trip underground.

Once it pops out on the other side, the water is also only 48 degrees. That means, if you're into fishing, that the 48-degree water is the perfect spot for trout fishing.