Origins of Rice Creek, Fountain, MN 55935

## Overview Tucked into the rolling karst landscape of Fillmore County, this natural spring marks the headwaters of Rice Creek, just north and west of the small town of Fountain, Minnesota. Fillmore County is sometimes called the "Cave and Spring Capital of Minnesota" due to its extraordinary concentration of karst features — sinkholes, underground streams, and cold-water springs fed by water filtering through ancient limestone and dolomite bedrock. The Origins of Rice Creek spring is one of many such features that dot this geologically rich region, where groundwater emerges after traveling through layers of Paleozoic-era carbonate rock. Fountain, MN — the nearest town — sits in the heart of the Root River Trail system, a popular destination for cycling, hiking, and exploring the bluff country of southeastern Minnesota. The spring itself is in a quiet, rural setting accessed via gravel roads, offering a peaceful spot to observe where groundwater first surfaces and begins its journey as Rice Creek. The site also contains a geocache, making it a fun destination for geocaching enthusiasts. ## Directions 1. From Fountain, MN, head **north and west** out of town. 2. Follow local roads to **Keeper Road**, a gravel road in a rural area. 3. The nearest address is **27941 Keeper Road, Fountain, MN 55935**, which is a short distance north of the spring itself. 4. GPS coordinates: **43.760443, -92.155454** — use these for precise navigation, as the spring is off the main road in a rural setting. 5. Look for the spring source area near the beginning of Rice Creek. The geocache at the site can also help confirm you've found the right spot. *Note: Roads in this area are gravel and may be muddy or difficult to navigate during wet weather or spring thaw. A vehicle with decent clearance is recommended.* ## What to Expect This is a rural, undeveloped spring site — expect a natural, unimproved setting rather than a park-like environment. The spring emerges from the ground and forms the headwaters of Rice Creek, so you'll see the very beginning of a stream flowing from its source. The surrounding landscape is typical of Fillmore County's bluff country: gently rolling farmland interspersed with wooded ravines and limestone outcrops. The area is quiet and lightly visited, making it a pleasant stop for those interested in geology, hydrology, or simply enjoying a peaceful corner of rural Minnesota. Geocachers will find a cache at the site. The gravel road access means this spot is best suited for visitors comfortable with back-road driving. There are no facilities at the spring itself, so plan accordingly.