Photo by Alison Rentschler
A welcome sign of spring is seeing wildflower shoots—especially bluebells—poking out of the ground. Southeastern Minnesota is one of the few parts of the state where they grow. Bluebells only bloom for a short time, about two weeks, before the trees’ new leaves grow and cover the ground with their shadows. Their pink buds blossom into beautiful light-blue, bell-shaped blooms. Bluebells grow in clusters among trees, standing out among some of the earliest spring wildflowers.
You can usually find bluebells around early to mid-May in a few specific areas of southeastern Minnesota, but the timing may vary each year.
Photo by Kelly Povo
Where to Find the Bells
Carley State Park is one of the best-known locations for finding bluebells. This is a quiet state park about 30 minutes east of Rochester, near Plainview.
The park is a green, peaceful oasis of woods, with the Whitewater River flowing through it. Well-marked, easy-to-follow hiking trails wind through the park, and it’s also home to a variety of wildlife and birds that you might come across during your visit. (Check online for up-to-date park hours.)
While the park is lovely in all seasons, the bluebells and other wildflowers that bloom there in the spring are a spectacular, vivid sight to see. You can find bluebells in many spots along the trails in bright, colorful clumps and scattered among the trees and forest floor.
After hiking, stay for a picnic or go fishing. If you have time, check out nearby Whitewater State Park, too, where you can hike past wildflowers, up into the bluffs, and along the Whitewater River.
Make a day of it and climb up the Elba Fire Tower near Whitewater for stunning views of the Bluffs region. While you need to hike uphill to get to the 100-foot tower, then climb even more steps to get to the top of the tower, the panoramic sight is well worth it.
If you’re passing through Rochester before heading to Carley State Park, don’t miss the blossoming bluebells along the Mayowood Trail, tucked in the southwest corner of the city. They’re beautifully scattered along the bike trail in blue bunches among the trees.
Take a detour off the bike trail and explore the smaller trails to see more bluebells and other wildflowers and get a closer view of the Zumbro River, too. Follow the bike trail to explore the city, as it connects to miles of other trails. Check out the trail map for Mayowood and other bike trails in Rochester. You can park in a small parking lot near Mayowood Road or park along the road and hop on the trail there.
If you have time to explore more of southeastern Minnesota, Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park near Spring Valley offers a variety of wildflowers and bluebells in the spring, too. Located about 45 minutes south of Rochester, Forestville includes miles of scenic trails through woods and fields and along the Root River. It also has designated areas where you can stop for a picnic, fish for trout in the river, or even camp overnight.
While visiting, stop by Historic Forestville to see what a small 1800s village looked like. Then drive to nearby Mystery Cave—the longest cave in Minnesota, with 13-plus miles of passages—to take a tour. Tours start May 9 for the season.
Photo by Kelly Povo
Springtime in Minnesota
While Minnesota offers an array of amazing natural areas, seeing the bluebells blossom in southeastern Minnesota is a memorable way to witness the arrival of spring after a long winter.
Before you go exploring, check out the parking and trail information on the Carley, Whitewater, or Forestville/Mystery state parks websites. The Carley State Park site gives bluebell information updates, too. You’ll also need a Minnesota State Park vehicle permit, which can be purchased online or at any state park for $7/day or $35/year.
