Engagement Session at Root River Park in Rochester, MN
If you’re looking for a quiet, dog-friendly natural escape near Rochester—meadows, forest, tall grass, and a river with a tiny beach—then you’ve found it! Let me introduce Root River Park with highlights from a recent engagement session. I’ll also explain why this park is ideal for photos and what to expect.
Table of Contents
Location & Access
Root River Park sits at 4012 80th St SE, Rochester, MN 55904, between Stewartville and Marion. It’s roughly a 20-minute drive from downtown Rochester via US-63 (exit past Rochester International Airport) or Highway 52 south through Simpson on County Road 1 SE. As its name suggests, the park follows the North Branch of the Root River. Nearby, you’ll find the Predmore Wedding Barn and Maple Valley Golf & Country Club.
Why is the Root River Park in Rochester, MN, a Great Spot for Photos
In my opinion, this park is one of Rochester’s best hidden gems for photography. Not only does it offer a lot of variety of landscapes, but also you will be alone and you can bring your dog!
Five Diverse Types of Photogenic Landscapes
Variety is key in photography. Root River Park offers:
- Meadows: At the top, with sweeping valley views.
- Dense Forest: Mid-trail, you’ll pass through lush deciduous woods.
- Tall Grass Fields: Maintained by Olmsted County Parks, these wildflower-laden areas attract butterflies.
- Wild Riverbank: Pristine water is ideal for fishing and wading. In deeper spots, you can cool off in up to six feet of water.
- Hidden Sand Beach: A small sandbank along the riverbank—follow the trails to discover it.
Extremely Quiet Trails
One standout feature is the serenity—sometimes you won’t see another soul. On average, you might encounter fewer than five people along the trails due to the park’s length and remote location.
Dog-Friendly Environment
The park welcomes leashed dogs, making it perfect for couples who want to include their furry friends in portraits.
Great Lightning thanks to the Bluff
The Big Limestone Bluff works as a giant reflector. If you are close to it (mostly in the water), and at the right angle, it would reflect and diffuse the sunlight, creating a soft, perfect light for your portraits.
Some of those Big Trees
I am a fan of magnificent big trees, including Elm, Oak, and Cottonwood trees. There are a few that we can include in your images.
Discover photos of Krista and Richard’s session at the Root River Park in Rochester.
Krista and Richard’s session was all about embracing this natural setting. They decided to skip busier locations like Quarry Hill, Plummer House and its fountains, Historic Plummer House, Silver Lake, or Oxbow Park. Instead, they embraced this peaceful locale.
Portraits in the Forest and Tall Grass
We started in the forest, capturing shafts of sunlight filtering through the leaves. Then we moved to the tall grass, where shadowed trees made the couple pop against a dark background.
Smoke Bombs
We even used smoke bombs, which looked stunning against the lush vegetation.
Sand Beach and Playing in the River
Next, we headed to the river for playful shots—after a hesitant start, they waded in and burst into laughter.
Last photos in the Meadows area
As light faded, we climbed back to the meadows and finished with a dramatic silhouette at sunset.
Planning Your Session
- Amenities: Parking and restrooms are at the top of the hill.
- Lighting: East-facing slopes lose sunlight earlier—plan accordingly.
- Trail Length: The main loop is 2 miles and can take about an hour to hike.
- River Access: Expect bluff views and limestone reflections—no wide river vistas here, but beautiful light from the limestone cliff.
- Essentials: Bring bug spray and a towel if you plan to wade in the water.
Conclusion: a great, underrated gem location for a photo session in Rochester, MN.
All in all, Root River Park remains one of Rochester’s most underrated gems, where sweeping meadows sway with tall grass, the river meanders through woodland, and every trail feels like a private retreat.
It’s the perfect spot for shy couples who want their moment to stay intimate, with no risk of running into a (Mayo Clinic) coworker on the path. If you’re ready to embrace this peaceful haven and capture your love story against a backdrop of meadows, riverbanks, and wild nature, get in touch today, and let’s create heartfelt images you’ll treasure forever.
If you love these images and want a fun, off-the-beaten-path session, contact me today to book your Root River Park adventure!
