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Bike touring routes & trails

Natural Playground – Barn and Pump House loop from Houston

Bike touring routes & trails

Natural Playground – Barn and Pump House loop from Houston

Hard

5.0

(2)

19

riders

Natural Playground – Barn and Pump House loop from Houston

05:29

94.9km

290m

Cycling

Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: July 15, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through protected areas

Please check local regulations for:

Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest

Waypoints

A

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

1

99 m

Natural Playground

Highlight • Rest Area

This natural playground is located right next to the Root River Trailhead in Houston, Minnesota. It features nature walks and a campground for walk in tents only. Perfect for bicycle campers. There are showers in the nearby Trail Center.

Tip by

2

10.6 km

Large bridge over the Root River

Highlight • Bridge

There was a ton of tree debris pushed up against this big bridge, maybe the longest bridge on the trail between Rushford and Houston

Tip by

3

21.4 km

View of the Rushford sign on the bluff

Highlight • Viewpoint

This is one of the best views of the Rushford sign on the bluff I found from the bike trail.

Tip by

4

28.3 km

Barn and Pump House

Highlight • Historical Site

Founder of Peterson's barn and the pump house

Tip by

5

43.0 km

Aroma Pie Shop in Whalan, Minnesota

Highlight • Cafe

Great place to grab a snack as you ride the Root River Trail

Tip by

6

47.6 km

Confluence of the South Branch with the Root River

Highlight • River

The South Branch of the Root River joins the Root River at this location. From this point downstream, the Root River is joined by the South Fork of the Root River before ultimately flowing into the Mississippi River.

Tip by

7

74.0 km

Root River State Trail - Rushford

Highlight • Trail

A nice place to park and get on the trail. It was very busy today for late September, but since it was also in the upper 70's and sunny, no …

Tip by

8

76.1 km

An interesting retaining wall.

Highlight • Structure

A bunch of crushed rock put between fencing to hold back the rock. Haven't seen one like this before.

Tip by

B

94.9 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

94.3 km

581 m

104 m

Surfaces

51.4 km

43.4 km

166 m

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Elevation

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

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Weather

Powered by Foreca

Today

Friday 17 July

33°C

21°C

36 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 17.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

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Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.

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