Cuyuna Lakes State Trail winds through Minnesota’s Iron Range country, connecting the towns of Riverton, Crosby, Ironton, and Deerwood across a landscape shaped by a century of mining history. Built on former railroad corridors that once hauled iron ore, the paved trail stretches approximately 15 miles through rolling terrain dotted with deep, crystal-clear mine pit lakes that have become destinations in their own right.

What makes this trail special is its proximity to the Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area, where abandoned mine pits filled with startlingly blue water now draw swimmers, scuba divers, and mountain bikers from across the Midwest. The trail serves as a natural connector between these attractions and the charming small towns along its route, where local breweries and cafes make for rewarding rest stops.

Activities along the trail include biking, walking, inline skating, and cross-country skiing in winter. The paved surface is well-maintained and mostly flat to gently rolling, making it accessible for families. Mountain bikers will want to detour into the recreation area’s renowned singletrack network, consistently ranked among the best in the region.

For camping, the nearby Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area offers both drive-in and bike-in campsites surrounded by pine forest and mine lakes.

The best time to visit is late May through October, when the trail is clear and the mine lakes are swimmable. Fall color season in late September brings stunning views without summer crowds. Winter transforms the corridor into a quiet Nordic skiing route through snow-covered Iron Range woods.

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