Things to do in Lanesboro, MN

Lanesboro is a stop on the Root River State Trail, which the DNR describes as 42 paved miles along the Root River from Fountain to Houston. Most visits combine a bike ride on the trail, a tube, canoe or kayak trip on the river (outfitters run a shuttle; tubes are walk-in, last departure 2 p.m.), a play at the Commonweal Theatre, and a guided tour of the area's Amish farms. The theater's 2026 holiday show runs November 7 to December 21, 2026.

This guide is for planning a day or weekend in Lanesboro. It covers the trail, river rentals, the theater and arts scene, Amish tours, and what changes in late fall and winter. For where to eat, see the Lanesboro restaurants guide.

Hours, prices and closures were read from official pages on November 11, 2026. Many Lanesboro businesses are seasonal, so the checklist at the end says what to confirm.

Lanesboro at a glance

Biking the Root River State Trail

The DNR's trail page says the trail "meanders 42 miles alongside the Root River from Fountain to Houston," passing through Lanesboro, Whalan, Peterson and Rushford. It is paved and "generally level and accessible, except for a steep half-mile segment between Vinegar Ridge and Houston."

• Parking in Lanesboro: "Parking is available in the lot next to the Bass Pond off of County Road 8," per the DNR, with more parking on the streets and at the Community Center/Sylvan Park lot.
• Uses: biking, in-line skating and cross-country skiing. There is no snowmobiling on the trail.
• Cost: no pass is needed to bike or walk. The DNR says "You will need a ski pass to cross-country ski" on the trail, and 25 miles of set track are groomed from Preston to Rushford.
• Connecting trail: the Root River trail meets the Harmony-Preston Valley State Trail at the Isinours junction.

Closures coming in 2027

As of the DNR's November 10, 2026 update, two segments outside Lanesboro will close:

The DNR's wording on the Rushford limits is not precise, so check the trail page before a ride that goes east of Rushford.

Renting a bike

Root River Outfitters' site lists only tubes, kayaks and canoes. For bikes, Cedar Valley Resort in Whalan, which says it is "just 5 minutes from Lanesboro," lists "Bikes | E-Bikes | Tubes | Canoes | Kayaks" and says it is "Open Year Round." In winter it lists snowshoes, cross-country skis, snow tubing and sleigh rides. Its site does not publish rental prices; call 507-467-9000.

Tubing, canoeing and kayaking the Root River

Root River Outfitters at 101 Parkway Ave. South offers "tubing, kayak, and canoe rentals." The rules on its site:

• Tube rentals are "walk-in only," and "no reservations are needed."
• "Reservations are required for kayak and canoe rentals."
• "Shuttle service is included with rentals."
• "Last departure for ALL rentals is 2:00 PM."
• Listed hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

The site does not publish prices or season dates, and river trips depend on weather and water levels. Call 507-467-3400 before you drive down, especially in spring or fall.

Commonweal Theatre and Lanesboro Arts

Commonweal Theatre

The Commonweal Theatre Company at 208 Parkway Ave. N. says that "Since 1989 the Commonweal has been southeastern Minnesota's premier professional live theater company." Its 2026 season page lists "The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley" as the holiday show, and the homepage gives its run as November 7 to December 21 (2026). The other titles in the 2026 season are No Wake, Incident at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, The Spitfire Grill and Eelpout. It is selling a 2027 season pass, but 2027 titles were not posted. Box office: 800-657-7025.

Lanesboro Arts

Lanesboro Arts describes itself as "a non-profit, multidisciplinary arts organization." Its gallery at 103 Parkway Avenue North keeps these hours from September through December: Thursday to Saturday 10 to 5, Sunday 11 to 4, Monday 10 to 5, closed Tuesday and Wednesday. The current exhibition is "A Common Thread: Fiber Art from Textile Center Members." A holiday show, "Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins," is listed for Friday, December 4, at 7 p.m. at the St. Mane Theatre.

Amish tours

Two companies run guided tours to Amish farms and shops in the area. Neither publishes a season calendar, so book by phone. Bluffscape says there are no tours on Sundays or religious holidays.

Amish Tours of Harmony says tours make "Stops at Amish farms and shops" and adds a charge to credit card payments ("Pay by Cash and Save"). Bluffscape asks visitors not to photograph the Amish, and says purchases from Amish shops are cash or check only.

Late fall and winter in Lanesboro

• Visitor center: the Lanesboro Area Chamber visitor center page puts it at 100 Milwaukee Road, "along the bike trail at old train depot next to Old Village Hall." The page lists winter hours (end of daylight saving time to Memorial Day) of Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with Saturday unstaffed, but also says "our Office remains closed for public," with help by phone at 507-467-2696. Call before counting on a walk-in visit.
• Eagle Bluff: the Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center, a nonprofit at 28097 Goodview Drive, says visitors can "Access our trails daily from dawn to dusk." Trail maps are at its visitor center, open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Fish hatchery: as of November 2026, the DNR page still says the Lanesboro hatchery "is closed to visitors and tours during construction," which it expected to finish in fall 2026. Check the DNR Lanesboro fisheries page before planning a stop.
• Mystery Cave: the cave at Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park closed for the season on October 19, 2026, and the DNR says it will reopen in May 2027.

Check before you go

1. River trips: call the outfitter about water levels and the 2 p.m. last departure.
2. Theater: check the Commonweal performance calendar for show days and times.
3. Amish tours: book by phone, and confirm the meeting point and price.
4. Trail closures: check the DNR trail page if your ride goes east of Rushford or toward the Harmony-Preston Valley trail in January 2027 or later.
5. Restaurants: several close for the season in November; see the Lanesboro restaurants guide.

Related guides: All Bluff Country guides · Lanesboro restaurants · Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park guide · Things to do in Winona · Beaver Creek Valley State Park

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Sources

• Minnesota DNR, Root River State Trail: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_trails/root_river/index.html
• Minnesota DNR, Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state-parks/park.html?id=spk00148
• Minnesota DNR, Lanesboro area fisheries: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/areas/fisheries/lanesboro/index.html
• Root River Outfitters, homepage: https://rootriveroutfitters.net/
• Cedar Valley Resort, homepage: https://www.cedarvalleyresort.com/
• Commonweal Theatre Company, homepage: https://commonwealtheatre.org
• Commonweal Theatre Company, 2026 season: https://commonwealtheatre.org/our-season/
• Lanesboro Arts, homepage: https://www.lanesboroarts.org/
• Bluffscape Amish Tours, homepage: https://bluffscape.com/
• Bluffscape Amish Tours, Amish Tours (FAQ, price and departure): https://bluffscape.com/?page_id=25
• Amish Tours of Harmony, Amish Tours: https://www.amish-tours.com/amish-tours/
• Amish Tours of Harmony, homepage: https://amish-tours.com/
• Lanesboro Area Chamber of Commerce, Visitor Center: https://tuneups.lanesboro.com/all/get-started/business-orientation-manual/visitor-center
• Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center, homepage: https://www.eaglebluffmn.org/