A stretch of trail is now closed to all recreational use to accommodate significant construction and heavy equipment. The closure goes from approximately 10 miles east of the trailhead in the City of Rushford to approximately two miles west of the trailhead in the City of Houston.
The trail is expected to reopen by September 2026.
Discover the Rushford Peterson Valley along the state’s premier Root River State Trail—60 miles of paved trail to bike, with no permit required. The Root River State Bike Trail passes through quiet woods with abundant wildlife and often follows the edge of the Root River.
In Rushford, the Root River Trail links to the city’s paved trail along Rush Creek, which will take you to Creekside Park and to the Magelssen Bluff hiking trails and bluff-top park. Bicyclists looking for hills can try our bluff and valley rural roads for hill workouts and panoramic views. Make the Rushford Peterson Valley your home base as you try various scenic highways and county roads in Fillmore and Houston counties.
Click here to view the MN Department of Transportation’s page for bicyclists.
The Rushford Public Library and Peterson Station Museum host the Root River Trail Towns’ BikeShare Program where you may borrow a bicycle at no cost during their operating hours.
In winter, try cross-country skiing or snowmobiling on separately marked routes on and around the Root River Trail.
