Southeast Minnesota has its own treasures

IN SOUTHEAST MINNESOTA – Home to steep bluffs and pastoral valleys, this picturesque region of the state often takes second billing to the lakes and piney woods of "Up North'' Minnesota. But the southeast is no less beautiful or enchanting. Its oaks and aspens, basswoods, maples and elms are as inspiring as any northern coniferous forest. Plus — and it's a big plus — the southeast is a geologic spectacle that boasts a latticework of cold-water rivers, streams and creeks that bend beautifully through welcoming state parks. Last week, at times dodging summer thunderstorms, I revisited three of these parks, fly rod in hand: Forestville/Mystery Cave, Beaver Creek Valley and Whitewater. Here's a guide to each, whether you drive southeast to fish, camp, wildlife watch or simply tour a part of the state that will draw you back again and again.

Nearest city: Preston

Contact: Main park: 507-352-5111. Mystery Cave: 507-937-3251.

Camping: 73 sites, 23 with electric hookup. RV length limit: 50 feet. Shower and flush bathrooms on site. Park also has a horse camp with 55 sites, 23 electric. Two group campsites also are available.

Camper cabins: Five, each with heat and electricity and available year-round by reservation. No pets. The cabins are a great option for people short on camping gear, or who prefer not to "rough it'' too much.

Activities: Hiking. Horseback trails. Cave tours (reservations: 866-857-2757), as well as tours through historic Forestville.

Wildlife: 175 bird species have been identified, including scarlet tanagers and redstarts. Also: deer, mink, beaver, raccoon, opossum, woodchucks, coyotes and squirrels. The park — like much of the southeast — is home to a few rattlesnakes.

Nearest city: Caledonia

Contact: 507-724-2107

Camping: Forty-two sites, 16 with electricity. RV length limit: 55 feet. Walk-in sites available. Park also has a group camp with parking for up to 10 vehicles. Showers available seasonally, as is an RV dump station.

Camper cabins: One, with electricity, available by reservation April through October. No pets.

Activities: A hike to the "Big Spring'' in the park is a must. The park is also a popular destination for birders. The Acadian flycatcher, Cerulean warbler and Louisiana waterthrush — each rare — nest here.

Fishing: Southeast Minnesota in aggregate is home to more than 700 miles of designated trout streams. Few of those miles can challenge the angler as much as East Beaver Creek (managed as a wild trout fishery), West Beaver Creek (ditto) and Beaver Creek (the DNR stocks some browns and rainbows here). Unlike some southeast streams that are wide enough for anglers to put some distance to a cast, these waterways are in many places narrow and overhung with vegetative canopy cover. Oftentimes also these streams are gin clear, and their trout can spook easily, spoiling an angler's approach. Still, West Beaver and East Beaver are home to prized native brook trout and also in some places, the DNR says, to more than 150 brown trout per mile longer than 12 inches.

Nearest city: Altura

Contact: 507-312-2300

Camping: 148 drive-in sites; 16 pull-throughs. Eighty-seven have electricity. RV limit: 50 feet.

Camper cabins: Five. Two sleep five, with electricity, and are available year-round. Two sleep six and are similarly rigged and available. One sleeps five but is available only April through November.

Wildlife: Bald eagles and turkeys are highlights among the park's 50 different mammals and more than 250 kinds of birds. You might hear a ruffed grouse drum while you fish or hike, and in spring if you're lucky you'll spot a Louisiana waterthrush.