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Schmidt Farm: an interactive farm experience bordering Forestville State Park

Disconnect from city life and reconnect with nature’s beauty on a scenic hike through our 60 acres of woodland trails or explore nearby Forestville State Park.

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Photo gallery for Schmidt Farm: an interactive farm experience bordering Forestville State Park

Fireplace
Exterior
Property grounds
Exterior
Property grounds

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Air conditioning
  • Kitchen

Room options

Similar properties

TV, DVD player, books

Lots of charm and only blocks away from the Root River and Bike trails

  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Free WiFi
10.0 out of 10, Exceptional, 15 reviews
Lots of charm and only blocks away from the Root River and Bike trails
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About the area

Map
Preston, MN

What's nearby

  • Root River - 5 min drive
  • Forestville Mystery Cave State Park - 7 min drive
  • Niagara Cave - 32 min drive
  • Mayo Clinic Hospital - Saint Marys Campus - 60 min drive
  • Mayo Clinic - 61 min drive

Getting around

  • Rochester, MN (RST-Rochester Intl.) - 58 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Branding Iron Restaurant - ‬18 min drive
  • ‪Trout City Brewing - ‬16 min drive
  • ‪B & B Olympic Bowl - ‬17 min drive
  • ‪Sweet Shop & Sandwich Shop - ‬16 min drive
  • ‪A&W Restaurant - ‬16 min drive

About this property

Schmidt Farm: an interactive farm experience bordering Forestville State Park

Farm stay in a rural location
Schmidt Farm: an interactive farm experience bordering Forestville State Park provides amenities, such as a firepit and a garden. Guests can connect to in-room WiFi.
Additional perks include:
  • Outdoor furniture, books and smoke-free property
  • Games and barbecues
Room features
All guest rooms at Schmidt Farm: an interactive farm experience bordering Forestville State Park include comforts, such as air conditioning, as well as amenities, such as dining tables and WiFi.
More conveniences in all rooms include:
  • Children's dinnerware and travel cots
  • 1.5 bathrooms with showers and shampoo
  • Decks/patios, outdoor lighting and kitchens

Property manager

Karen & Paul Schmidt

Languages

English

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: WiFi

Things to do

  • Books
  • Games
  • Stereo

Outdoors

  • Barbecue grill
  • Firepit
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 1.5 bathrooms
  • Shampoo
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Food and drink

  • Blender
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dining table
  • Electric kettle
  • Hob
  • Kitchen
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Toaster

More

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating
  • Living room

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Minimum check-in age - 21

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation

Property is also known as

Schmidt Farm an Interactive Farm Experience
Schmidt Farm: an Interactive Farm Experience Preston

Frequently asked questions

Is Schmidt Farm: an interactive farm experience bordering Forestville State Park pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Schmidt Farm: an interactive farm experience bordering Forestville State Park?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Schmidt Farm: an interactive farm experience bordering Forestville State Park?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Schmidt Farm: an interactive farm experience bordering Forestville State Park located?

Situated in a rural location, this farm stay is 1.5 mi (2.4 km) from Root River and 2.1 mi (3.4 km) from Forestville Mystery Cave State Park. Forestville State Park Office and Ed's Museum are also within 12 miles (20 km).

Schmidt Farm: an interactive farm experience bordering Forestville State Park Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 87 out of 89 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 89 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 89 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 89 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 89 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth &.

Liked: Cleanliness
Another great stay!
We enjoyed our second visit to Schmidt farm with Karen and Paul - they're awesome hosts and it's a super fun experience.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Cher K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great farm experience!
Truly away from the hustle and bustle. Great to have acres and acres to roam without anybody else but the owners who tended to the animals and shared all kinds of interesting things about the sheep, llamas, goats, horses and the bunny. The kids especially, loved interacting with the animals as much as the animals loved the attention.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Loretta B.

Liked: Cleanliness
The kids loved it!
We've stayed at many VRBOs, from mountain cabins to beach houses. But my daughter, who loves animals, said this was her favorite VRBO ever! She loved all the details of the house, and the farm was so beautiful. We're definitely going to make this an annual trip. We only wish we could have stayed longer! Now that we've found this gem, we'll be back for sure!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Daniel H.

Liked: Cleanliness
A Very Special Place
Our family loved Schmidt farm! It was perfect for our three kids (ages 3-6). They had a great time taking care of the rabbit, feeding the sheep, collecting eggs from the chickens, and petting the donkey. The property is beautiful. We loved walking out into the field at night to see the stars. We hope to be back again someday.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Isaac B.

Liked: Cleanliness
A little piece of heaven in Minnesota
We had an amazing time at the Schmidt farm! From the moment we arrived Karen and Paul treated us like family! Karen took my husband and kids on a 2 hour tour of the land, showed my son how to forage for mushrooms, took my daughter under her wing and showed her everything about caring for the animals. Paul taught us all about their farm and gave us advice on surrounding sights and took time out of his busy schedule to show us all around his farm. The house itself is delightful. A beautiful old farmhouse from 1899 that is perfectly appointed to bring you back in time. We were happy to explore and forage on the 60 acres. The kids just wanted to stay at the farm the whole time. However, we did take advantage of the location's convenient proximity to the Forestville State Park, Mystery Cave, Amish country, and the festivals and fairs in Lanesboro and Chatfield. We even made a trip to the Mississippi river and the Laura Ingalls Wilder museum which is only a little over an hour away! We highly recommend this beautiful farm!
Stayed 9 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ricci G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beauiful Farm Experience
Thank you Karen and Paul for the amazing farm experience! The peace and tranquility of the farm was exactly what we needed. We loved our morning routine: coffee with M.E., feeding the animals, especially Billy the Goat, and petting Shawn the Sheep. We enjoyed learning about the work that you both do and walking the trails as the sun set over the beautiful mountains. This was our first trip to the farm, and we are already planning our next!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jonathan K., Omaha, NE

Liked: Cleanliness
Great place, great area, great hosts.
We would stay again. The home was as described and very, very clean. It is old-school farmhouse while still being comfortable and accommodating. We appreciated the home's vintage as well as the more modern amenities (AC, renovated bathrooms, etc.). The house is located off the county hwy, down a long winding driveway and tucked up against the woods. There are trails right out the back door. A quick and easy stroll will take you to the wildflower meadow with a great view of the river valley. If you have more time and energy you can keep going into the woods, down into that valley and all the way to the Root River. Our immediate neighbors were a donkey, goats, miniature horses, chickens, and a rabbit. We fed and watered them more than necessary each day. We were also lucky enough to be there when several sheep and two llamas had just been moved into the paddock for a few months. If you're interested in birds, omg. The grocery store in Preston (an easy 15 minute drive) had everything we needed. There are coffee shops, boutiques, and ice cream in other towns nearby. Lastly, meeting and visiting with Karen and Paul made our visit even more engaging. They gave us a tour of their farm, the farm shop and answered all of our questions. Even better - they were just fun to chat with as if we were neighbors over the fence.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Heather B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Time at the farm
Our time at the farm was fun for all. We enjoyed exploring the property as well as the local state parks. Would highly recommend for an escape with the family!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Rachel A., Houston, TX

Liked: Cleanliness
Schmidt Farm is a dream
This is our 4th or 5th time visiting Schmidt Farm from halfway across the country, and we could not love it more. It’s the perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of our daily, scheduled lives. Our boys love the farm animals, the ability to help care for them, and the hikes around the property and adjacent forest. They built tree forts, played with the goats, created games in the woods, had campfires, looked for fossils, and so much more. The guest house had plenty of room for the 6 of us and was stocked with toys and games, a nice perk for the couple rainy days we had. Karen and Paul are everything you could wish for - welcoming, responsive, always willing to educate us on farm life, and so kind to our kids. We’re already counting the days down until we can return.
Stayed 8 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Amanda R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Just right farm visit
We are a family with two 7 year old boys; we have not had any camping experience and were looking for a home base while we visited Mystery Cave. This place was just right! Paul and Karen are hospitable and generous hosts. They share of their time, talent, knowledge (which is extensive) and even of their harvest. We enjoyed delicious fresh asparagus, garlic scapes and grape jelly during our visit. Karen has a gift for connecting—my boys are both a bit unusual and sometimes difficult to understand, but she made us all feel right at home. She helped them (and all of us) learn how to treat animals and the earth with kindness and respect. By the time our short visit of 3 days ended, the boys were fetching water and hay for the animals (goats, mini horses and a donkey).
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Craig R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Driftless Gem
If your looking at this 5 star review, your probably looking for a getaway to the Driftless area. Well you found it! We have vacationed for many years in the Driftless. This hands down has been the best Driftless experience we have ever had. Karen and Paul’s passion for the land, stewardship of nature, animal welfare, and environmental conservation has left us in awe of our experience here. Of all of the VRBO hosts we have had, and they all have been wonderful. Karen and Paul have been the best of them all. Do stay here, but leave us a time or two for us to come back.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

David S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing rural farm and natural woods experience
The house and land are amazing. The woods are filled with native plants and flowers with miles of hiking trails. The house is vintage and comfortable for modern living. The yard is open and has several comfortable seating areas including hammocks and a firepit. The animals are gentle and friendly for kids to interact with. The owners are friendly, helpful, and love their job as hosts! This is our second visit and we will be returning as often as we can!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

David S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing experience!
This vintage farmhouse is so great! Every nook and cranny is filled with fascinating vintage items from books to antiques and pictures. The setting is beautiful. There is a bit of everything: rolling hills, sunny grassy spaces, meadows, and even a creek. Our family loved wlkig the trails and interacting with all the friendly animals. There are alpacas, ponies, goats, a donkey, icelandic sheep, cats, and a dog! It was a magical family getaway in a completely peaceful setting. It's truly a complete break from modern life (of course there are modern amenities in the house)! And the owner is friendly, great with kids, and fascinating to talk with. Thank you for a wonderful stay!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Brad N.

Liked: Cleanliness
Family Experience
We enjoyed getting to know the owners and to learn about their way of life. My wife really enjoyed Karen. My kids loved the animals of the farm and being able to interact with so many. We enjoyed our stay and look forward to a return visit in the future.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Martha J.

Liked: Cleanliness
Retreat
This was my second stay and this time I came by myself to write, reflect and do some craft work. I took lovely walks with two sweet young kitties and enjoyed the meadow. One day I took a chair out to the meadow and sat and wrote for a few hours. Karen and Paul are lovely hosts. Karen took time to give me a spinning lesson and show me around her workshop! This is a special place and we will return when we can!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ann E.

Liked: Cleanliness
Family trip
We had a wonderful time! The scenery was stunningly beautiful! The animals were d
Stayed 9 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Linda H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Fourth stay
Karen and Paul are the best hosts and truly genuine people who make our stay with them feel like we’re family. Only better! Every visit we have brought new guests who grow to love this farmhouse as much as we do. Pretty soon we will run out of room to invite all our friends who want to return and we will need to have a lottery to see who gets the chance to return with us. We look forward to next year’s stay with them!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Mike J.

Liked: Cleanliness
Thanks Karen and Paul!
Everything exceeded our expectations. You've done a great job with this property.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Timothy J. R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Surpassed our expectations
Amazing property and outstanding hosts. The farmhouse was cong and clean. So quiet and beautiful land. Interaction with the animals was a treat. Paul and Karen are such welcoming hosts! We'll be back!
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Anne H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Schmidt Farm is a true gem!
This was our fourth time at Schmidt Farm and we had a wonderful, restful stay. Karen and Paul are fantastic people and we always learn new things while we are there. Our daughter loves to feed the goats and ponies, play with the bunny, and Karen had even secured two kittens before our stay! Our daughter was in heaven. We also made it to the art festival in Lanesboro and even got to hear Paul's band play. A wonderful time away from our busy lives to recharge and reconnect with nature. Highly recommend!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Katie S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Fun experience!
My husband and I brought our 1 year old and had a great time. It’s like having your own petting zoo. Our toddler loved feeding the goats dandelions. We also enjoyed hiking on the property, picking our own asparagus to make fresh and the farm tour! I would highly recommend this place for anyone looking to get away and enjoy some tranquility amongst animals and wildlife.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kathy S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Family farm
Had a wonderful visit great time with our kids and grandchildren really enjoyed the animals
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Linda H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Three-peat Fabulous Stay
This was our third time staying with Karen & Paul at Schmidt Farm and every time we feel like we should have stayed longer! They are the best hosts who take great pride in their property and sharing it with their guests. We feel like extended family and truly enjoy escaping our city life for the beautiful scenery and night skies. The farmhouse is always clean and has everything you need (besides clothes and food) to relax and recharge in nature. We are already choosing next year's trip and will be extending it again so we can explore the greater countryside and maybe even catch Paul at one of his open mic nights and/or farmer's market. See you next year!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Debbie S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Our second wonderful summer vacation at Schmidt Farm
Karen and Paul have created a beautiful and homey space in the farmhouse--we just love "stepping back in time" and relaxing. The farm animals surrounding us are a joy, and Karen's love of her guests and guesthouse is always hugely appreciated.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Chris N Lisa L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Magical place hosted by awesome people
We celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary at this place with our children. It exceeded expectations, Paul and Karen are great folks we could spend a lot of time getting to know. The property is butted up to Forestville State Park in the beautiful driftless zone of SE MN. Many flowering paths to hike around on and access to a cool cave fed stream. The animals were a riot to hang out with (several of which stay near the guest house and we were free to interact with among reasonable, clear expectations to keep animals and humans safe) Such great memories to keep forever.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2022