The Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area is located east of Brainerd, near the town of Ironton. This park is known for its world class mountain biking trail system with over 50 miles of singletrack dirt trails. The trails offer a wide range of difficulty levels. The park is roughly 5000 acres in size and is largely undeveloped. The park encompasses an area of many abandoned iron ore mining pits. The pits have naturally filled with water and now boast regenerated vegetation and clear lakes that draw a wide range of recreation enthusiasts. There are twenty-five miles of natural shoreline that can be explored by boat, kayak, or canoe. The mine lakes are stocked with trout. Other species such as northern, bass, crappie, and sunfish inhabit the lakes. Because of the lake's clear water, scuba diving enthusiasts explore these deep lakes. Canoes, kayaks, and bikes can be rented locally in the nearby communities.
In addition to the mountain biking trails, there is the paved eight-mile long Cuyuna Lakes State Trail that runs between Crosby and Riverton. Visitors can drive or hike to the Miner’s Mountain Overlook for a spectacular view of Huntington Mine Lake and the red rock landscape.
Camping is available at the drive-in Portsmouth Campground. The Portsmouth Campground has 34 sites. The campground has both shaded sites and open, grassy sites. 18 of the sites have electric hookups. Four of the sites are tent-only walk-in sites. The campground also has one group site. All campsites require reservations. Campers need to self-register at the campground.
Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area has three yurts available for rent. The yurts are located by Yawkey Mine Lake.
Since the Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area is part of the Minnesota state park system, a fee is required to enter the park. A state park day use or annual permit can be purchased at the park offices located at 307 Third Street in Ironton.
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