Life is Good on the Root

Nov 4, 2022Bike Trails, Water Trails

A man and woman ride a tandem bike on a paved trail in the fall

There is such a thing as a perfect fall day. The leaves have turned, but the sun is still strong and you packed a light jacket, just in case. Whether you came here to fish, bike, paddle, shop or take in the annual Taste of the Trail celebration, the Root River is your constant companion. You get to the next town, grab a coffee, find a bench and watch the water flow by. Life is good on the Root River/Harmony Preston Valley Trail.

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A woman in bike gear leans over the railing on an old bridge
A man and woman ride a tandem bike on a paved trail in the fall
Wayfinding signs along the Root River Harmony Preston Valley Trail
A woman casts a line into a river from the shore while taking a break from kayaking
An aerial view of Rushford, MN in the fall
A large grain elevator topped with an American flag in front of a fall color background
Two women ride bicycles on a paved trail past a historic building in Rushford, MN
a family with three kids bike across a river on a bridge in the summer
A man bikes across a river on a bridge in the fall
A woman bikes across a river on a bridge in the fall
A woman bikes by a steep rock face on a paved trail
A full moon rises over a silhouette of hills
A woman bikes by a steep rock face on a paved trail
A kayaker on the Root River is dwarfed by tall hills in the background
A closeup of the weathered boards on an old barn, painted red
An open box of hand pies sits on top of the bow of a kayak on a lawn
A woman casts a fly fishing line while standing in a river
A woman rides by a tidy white farm house on a paved trail
Two people bike on a paved trail in the fall, one is pulling a small trailer
A man and woman ride bikes on a paved trail in the fall
A man takes break from bicycling and sits on the curb in front of a brick building while an Amish buggy passes by
An early morning view of the peaceful Root River in Minnesota
A woman crosses a bridge riding a bike near the historic grain elevator in Preston, MN
A woman leans on the railing of an observation platform inside of a large sink hole
Two bikes are parked outside of a gift shop painted bright pink
A woman rides her bike on a bridge over a creek in the summer
Closeup of bird footprints on wet sand
Closeup of a sunflower growing along a paved trail
Exterior view of a red brick building on a very slanted road
A closeup of a wooden table with sandwiches and soft drinks
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Two cyclists ride on a riverside path with trees and water in the background. Text highlights activities: Trails, Brews, Music, Shopping. A purple button reads Cedar Falls. Cedar Falls tourism logo is in the corner.
Person riding a bicycle on a paved path through a sunlit forest, with the text “Visit Brainerd Baxter, MN. Minnesota’s Playground” and a website link at the bottom.
Two people stand on a leaf-covered path in a forest with fall foliage. Text promotes Minnesota state parks, fall colors, and the Department of Natural Resources.
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About me

A person wearing a yellow helmet, sunglasses, and warm winter clothing smiles while outside in a snowy Minnesota landscape. They are pointing at something, perhaps one of the scenic mountain bike trails nearby, as the sun shines brightly overhead.

I’m Jan, the publisher of Minnesota Trails Magazine. I’m looking for that one trail, the next ride, a new discovery and other reasons to never sit still in Minnesota.

Two cyclists ride on a riverside path with trees and water in the background. Text highlights activities: Trails, Brews, Music, Shopping. A purple button reads Cedar Falls. Cedar Falls tourism logo is in the corner.

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