Magelssen Bluff Park

Rushford, MN

 
About

Ownership

Rushford Peterson Valley logo

 

Links

Rushford Peterson Valley

 

Overview

The Rushford Peterson Valley is a beautiful and historic region located in Fillmore County, Minnesota. It is situated in the heart of southeastern Minnesota's Bluff Country, and is known for its rolling hills, limestone bluffs, and the Root River. The valley is home to three cities: Rushford, Peterson, and Rushford Village, as well as several smaller towns and villages. The population of the valley is about 3,000 people.

Magelssen Bluff Park is a 120-acre park located in Rushford, Minnesota. It is named after the Magelssen family, who donated the land to the city in 1972. The park features a 175-foot-high limestone bluff, which offers panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. There are also hiking trails, a picnic area, and a playground in the park.

Magelssen Bluff Park is home to a number of historical features, including the Rushford Burr Oak tree. This massive oak tree is estimated to be over 200 years old and is one of the largest trees in Minnesota.

 

History

The Magelssen family donated land to the city of Rushford in 1972. The Vaagen family donated additional land in 2007.

 

Management

 

 

Comments

 

Location

Size

120 acres

 

Driving Directions

Get driving directions from Google Maps to this destination from any address, and send those directions to your phone.

  Area and County
 
    County   Fillmore County
    Region   Southeast Minnesota

Parking

“Access 1.5 miles of looping hiking trails from Winona Street in Rushford or drive to the top via Hwy 30 West to Magelssen Dr. for stunning views!”

Access road (Magelssen Dr.)
N43 48.500, W91 46.015

Park entrance
N43 48.692, W91 46.104

Parking lot (overlook)
N43 48.650, W91 45.548

Trailhead parking (W. Winona St.)
N43 48.841, W91 45.730

 

Hours

 

 

Fees

No fee

 

Maps

City of Rushford Minnesota Trails and Outdoor Recreation Map

Activities

Hiking

Trail running

Biking

Mountain biking

Horseback riding

Picnicking

Camping

Swimming

Boating

Canoeing

Birding

Nature photography

Horseshoes

Volleyball

Geocaching

Cross country skiing

Skate-skiing

Winter hiking

Snowshoeing

Snowmobiling

 

Trails

Hiking

1.5 miles

 

Hunting and Fishing

 

Ecology
 

Ecological Classification

  Ecological Classification
Ecological Province Ecological Province  

Eastern Broadleaf Forest Province

 
Ecological Section Ecological Section  

Paleozoic Plateau

 
Ecological Subsection Ecological Subsection  

The Blufflands

 
Land Type Association    

Elba Slopes

 
         

Native Plant Communities*

 

 

 
* Source: The Minnesota Biological Survey, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Division of Ecological Resources    
     

Natural Features

   

 

Visitor Photos

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Greg Watson

Magelssen Bluff Park   Magelssen Bluff Park

Magelssen Bluff Park entrance sign

 

Land donation plaque by the Highum Family

     
Magelssen Bluff Park   Magelssen Bluff Park

Magelssen Bluff Park inscribed rock donated by Rushford class of 1987

 

W. Winona St. trailhead parking by Oak Grove Cemetery

     
Magelssen Bluff Park   Magelssen Bluff Park

Oak Grove Cemetery gate

 

Lookout area by the Stair Climber/Quarry Trail entrance

     
Magelssen Bluff Park   Magelssen Bluff Park

Looking over the valley towards the southwest

 

Looking out over the valley to the south

     
Magelssen Bluff Park   Magelssen Bluff Park

Looking out over the valley to the southeast

 

The over 200 years old Bur Oak on top of Magelssen Bluff

     
Magelssen Bluff Park   Magelssen Bluff Park

The lookout near the Bur Oak

 

The view from the lookout

     
Magelssen Bluff Park   Magelssen Bluff Park

Another view from the lookout

 

Picnic area near the Bur Oak

     
Magelssen Bluff Park   Magelssen Bluff Park

Restrooms near the Bur Oak

 

The massive bur oak on top of Magelssen Bluff, Rushford, MN was toppled over by the storm on July 29, 2025. This is all that

     
Magelssen Bluff Park   Magelssen Bluff Park

Hikers going down the Stair Climber trail

 

The Stair Climber Trail stairs

     
Magelssen Bluff Park   Magelssen Bluff Park

The trail leading up to the quarry on the Quarry Trail

 

Quarry/Stair Climber trail signs

MinnesotaSeasons.com Photos
     

 

   

 

Camera

Slideshows

Title
Author

About

Photos from Magelssen Bluff in Rushford, Minnesota. This is in the non-glaciated driftless area that extends into southeastern Minnesota.

 

slideshow

Visitor Videos

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Other Videos

Magelssen Bluff Park (7-26-2013) southwest overlook
knapstersky

About

Aug 18, 2013

Magelssen Bluff Park (7-26-2013) southwest overlook

Magelssen Bluff Park (7-26-2013) southeast overlook
knapstersky

About

Aug 18, 2013

Magelssen Bluff Park (7-26-2013) southeast overlook

 

Camcorder

Visitor Sightings

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Greg Watson

Fungi and Lichens

Candlesnuff Fungus (Xylaria hypoxylon)

Dead Man’s Fingers (Xylaria polymorpha)

Snow Fungus (Tremella fuciformis)

  Snow Fungus

Insects and Arachnids

black firefly (Lucidota atra)

confused eusarca (Eusarca confusaria)

harvestmen (order Opiliones)

hickory hairstreak (Satyrium caryaevorus)

pale green assassin bug (Zelus luridus)

  hickory hairstreak

Plants

bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa var. macrocarpa)

spreading dogbane (Apocynum androsaemifolium)

western marbleseed (Lithospermum occidentale)

  spreading dogbane

Slime Molds

chocolate tube slime (Stemonitis splendens)

honeycomb coral slime mold (Ceratiomyxa fruticulosa)

red raspberry slime mold (Tubifera ferruginosa)

salmon-eggs (Hemitrichia decipiens)

  honeycomb coral slime mold
MinnesotaSeasons.com Sightings

Visits

None

Birds

Two bird species with conservation status in Minnesota have been seen here:

Special Concern

American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos)

Cerulean Warbler (Setophaga cerulea)

 

eBird Field Checklist

   

 

   

Plants

Four plant species with conservation status in Minnesota are found here:

Threatened

edible valerian (Valeriana edulis var. ciliata)

Special Concern

Hill’s thistle (Cirsium pumilum var. hillii)

plains wild indigo (Baptisia bracteata var. glabrescens)

purple cliff brake (Pellaea atropurpurea)

 

Minnesota Biodiversity Atlas and Minnesota Biological Survey Vegetation Releves Plant List

   

 

   

 

 

Binoculars