Rushford, Minnesota
Gateway to Root River Bluff Country — where the bluffs meet the river and every trail leads somewhere worth going.
About Rushford
A charming river town nestled in the bluff lands of southeastern Minnesota along the scenic Root River Valley.
Rushford is a small city in Fillmore County, Minnesota, nestled in the dramatic bluff lands of the Driftless Area along the Root River. The first pioneers pole-boated up the Root River to the junction of Rush Creek, discovering the astonishing natural beauty the bluff lands had to offer — and the community has celebrated that beauty ever since.
Today, Rushford is known as a gateway destination for outdoor recreation. The Root River State Trail runs directly through town, connecting cyclists, hikers, and skiers to miles of scenic bluff country. The Root River itself draws anglers, canoeists, and kayakers from across the region.
Intersected by Minnesota Highways 16, 30, and 43, Rushford is conveniently located and an affordable place to call home — with a cost of living index well below the national average and a strong community identity built around the land and the river.
Quick Facts
Outdoor Recreation
Rushford sits at the heart of some of the best outdoor recreation in Minnesota's Driftless bluff country.
Root River State Trail
A 42-mile paved multi-use trail winding through Fountain, Lanesboro, Whalan, Peterson, Rushford, and Houston. One of Minnesota's premier rail-trail systems for biking, hiking, and cross-country skiing.
Rushford Trailhead: Elm Street & Historic Depot
Canoeing & Kayaking the Root River
The Root River is one of the finest canoe and kayak waterways in southeast Minnesota. Paddle through stunning bluff-lined corridors, past limestone outcroppings and wooded valleys. Multiple put-in and take-out points along the route.
Access via Vinegar Ridge Recreation Area along the State Trail
Fishing the Root River
The Root River and its tributaries are legendary among anglers for cold, clear trout waters. Brown trout and rainbow trout thrive in these spring-fed streams. The Root River is a designated trout stream with exceptional catch-and-release fishing.
Brook trout, brown trout, and smallmouth bass throughout the valley
Bluff Hiking
Magelssen Bluff Park offers 1.5 miles of looping hiking trails with panoramic views over the Root River Valley. Access from Winona Street or drive to the summit via Highway 30 West. The Driftless landscape is unlike anywhere else in the Midwest.
Magelssen Bluff Park, Vinegar Ridge, and connecting trail systems
Snowmobiling
Rushford is home to 79 miles of spectacular bluff country snowmobile trails maintained by the local Snowmobile Club. Groomed routes wind through the hills, valleys, and ridgelines of Fillmore County — one of the best snowmobile destinations in southeast Minnesota.
79 miles of maintained trails — Rushford Snowmobile Club
Hunting
The bluff country surrounding Rushford is prime whitetail deer habitat. The Driftless Area's mix of hardwood ridges, creek bottoms, and farm fields creates ideal conditions for deer, wild turkey, pheasant, and small game hunting across Fillmore County.
Whitetail deer, wild turkey, pheasant, and small game throughout the region
The Root River
The lifeblood of the valley — the Root River shapes everything from the landscape to the lifestyle in Rushford and the surrounding bluff country.
- Designated trout stream — one of the best in southeast Minnesota
- Brown trout, rainbow trout, and brook trout in spring-fed tributaries
- Smallmouth bass fishing in the main river channel
- Catch-and-release sections throughout the valley
- Rush Creek and other tributaries excellent for wade fishing
- Minnesota fishing license required — available locally
- Canoe and kayak through dramatic limestone bluff corridors
- Vinegar Ridge Recreation Area — access to the Root River State Water Trail
- Eight primitive campsites at Vinegar Ridge for multi-day trips
- Mostly flatwater with occasional riffles — suitable for all skill levels
- Wildlife viewing: great blue herons, eagles, otters, and deer along the banks
- Best paddling season: late spring through early fall
Root River State Trail
One of the most scenic rail-trails in the Midwest, passing directly through Rushford.
🚴 42 Miles Through Bluff Country
The Root River State Trail is a paved multi-use trail stretching 42 miles through the heart of Minnesota's Driftless Area, connecting the communities of Fountain, Lanesboro, Whalan, Peterson, Rushford, and Houston along the Root River corridor. The trail follows a converted rail bed through stunning bluff scenery — dramatic limestone formations, wooded valleys, river crossings, and open meadows throughout.
Rushford serves as a central hub on the trail with convenient trailhead parking, local dining, and services within easy reach. Whether you're day-tripping from the Twin Cities or spending a week exploring the full trail system, Rushford is a perfect base camp.
Bluff Country
The Driftless Area escaped the last ice age — leaving behind a rugged landscape of towering limestone bluffs, cold spring streams, and ancient valleys found nowhere else in the Midwest.
Magelssen Bluff Park
Rushford's signature bluff overlook offers 1.5 miles of looping hiking trails and panoramic views of the Root River Valley. Access the trails from Winona Street or drive to the summit via Highway 30 West to Magelssen Drive. The views at the top are among the best in southeast Minnesota — a sweeping landscape of river, field, and forested ridgeline.
The Driftless Area
Unlike most of the Midwest, the Driftless Area was never flattened by glaciers. The result is a landscape of dramatic coulees, spring-fed trout streams, and towering bluffs rising 400–500 feet above river valleys. This ancient terrain supports an extraordinary diversity of plants and wildlife rarely found elsewhere in Minnesota.
Wildlife of the Bluffs
The bluff country surrounding Rushford is prime habitat for bald eagles — visible along the Root River year-round. Whitetail deer, wild turkey, great blue herons, otters, and a remarkable variety of songbirds inhabit the ridges and river bottoms. Fall migration along the Mississippi flyway brings thousands of birds through the valley.
Vinegar Ridge Recreation Area
Located along the Root River State Trail, Vinegar Ridge features six miles of horseback riding trails and direct access to the Root River State Water Trail for canoeing and kayaking. Eight primitive campsites are available, making it an ideal base for multi-day outdoor adventures in the heart of the bluff country.
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Local Businesses & Services
Supporting the businesses that make Rushford a great place to live, work, and visit.
Stumpy's Restaurant & Bar
Family restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Famous for homemade pizza, burgers, and daily specials. Open 7 days a week.
📍 122 W. Jessie Street | (507) 864-7156
Kwik Trip
Convenience store with fresh food, hot meals, and fuel. Open daily 5:00 AM – 11:00 PM.
📍 110 State Highway 16 | (507) 864-4800
Rushford IGA / Rush Foods
Full-service grocery store serving the Rushford community and surrounding area.
📍 400 S. Mill Street
Sterling Pharmacy
Local pharmacy with prescription delivery, senior discounts (60+) on Tuesdays, and a free vitamin program.
📍 Downtown Rushford
Rushford State Bank
Community banking services for personal and business customers in the Rushford area.
📍 Downtown Rushford
Merchants Bank, N.A.
Full-service banking with personal, business, and mortgage lending services for the local community.
📍 Downtown Rushford
History of Rushford
A community with deep roots — from pole-boating pioneers to a preserved railroad legacy listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Rushford's story begins with the first pioneers who pole-boated up the Root River to the junction of Rush Creek, discovering the astonishing beauty the bluff lands had to offer. The community grew along the river, shaped by the railroad era that connected southeastern Minnesota to the wider world.
The Rushford Historic Depot, built in 1867 by the Southern Minnesota Railroad, is Minnesota's oldest two-story railroad station remaining on its original site. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the depot was purchased and restored by the Rushford Area Historical Society in 1987 and today serves as a museum, visitor center, and genealogy research center — a living gateway to Rushford's past.
The Rushford-Peterson Valley Chamber of Commerce continues to support the community's heritage, tourism, and local business development from its home at the historic depot.
🏛️ Historic Depot & Museum
- Original 1867 Railroad Depot — National Register of Historic Places
- One-Room Schoolhouse
- Historic Chapel Replica
- Limestone Jailhouse
- Log Cabin (under restoration)
Phone: (507) 864-7560
Visitor Center: Open daily April–October
Chamber Website: rushfordpetersonvalley.com
Annual Events & Celebrations
Rushford's small-town community spirit shines through its annual events, celebrations, and local traditions.
Rushford Days
Annual citywide celebration featuring parades, live entertainment, food vendors, and community activities. One of Fillmore County's most beloved summer traditions.
Homecoming Celebration
A citywide celebration with a standing invitation to all former Rushford residents to return and visit. A heartfelt tribute to the community's strong sense of place and belonging.
Community Theater (RASA)
Annual theatrical production by the Rushford Area Society of the Arts. A showcase of local talent and community creativity in the heart of bluff country.
Rushford Farmers Market
Local produce, handmade crafts, and independent artists come together weekly during the growing season. A great way to connect with the community and support local growers.
City Information
Government, schools, and essential contact information for the Rushford community.
🏛️ City Hall
101 N. Mill Street, PO Box 430Rushford, MN 55971
Phone: (507) 864-2444
Fax: (507) 864-7003
Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
rushford.govoffice.com
🎓 Rushford-Peterson Schools
1000 Pine Meadows LaneRushford, MN 55971
Phone: (507) 864-7785
Students: ~639 (ISD #239)
Ratio: 13:1 student-teacher
Grades PK–12 | New facility built 2017
r-pschools.com
🏢 Chamber of Commerce
Rushford-Peterson Valley Chamber401 S. Elm Street, PO Box 338
Rushford, MN 55971
Phone: (507) 864-7560
rushfordpetersonvalley.com
📚 Rushford Public Library
101 N. Mill StreetRushford, MN 55971
(Located behind City Hall)
Community library serving Rushford and the surrounding Fillmore County area.
⚡ Emergency & Utilities
Emergency: 911Police:
405 S. Elm Street
Rushford, MN 55971
Electric Outages (After Hours):
MiEnergy: (800) 432-2285
⛳ Ferndale Golf Course
A beautifully maintained mature golf course that opened in 1931, nestled in the bluffs of southeastern Minnesota.One of the most scenic nine-hole courses in the region — a true bluff country gem for local golfers and visitors alike.
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