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Map showing campground location near Crosby, Minnesota
Camper submitted image from Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area CampgroundView 16 Photos
FacilitiesMap showing campground location near Crosby, Minnesota

Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area Campground

4 ReviewsAdd Review
SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile

The layout at Portsmouth Campground, the main camping area within Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area, is largely open and manicured, closer to a groomed lawn than a wooded retreat. Sites on the outer ring have some foliage, but the central ring offers little shade or privacy, and sites sit close together. Reviewers flag the roads in as narrow and bumpy, and navigation to the campground itself can be tricky since signage points to "Cuyuna" broadly rather than directing campers specifically to Portsmouth. Plan for that confusion before arrival.

The draw here is trail access. Mountain biking is the primary reason most campers show up, with red dirt trails rated accessible across skill levels running directly from the campground. A small beach sits just off the camping area, and a larger one is roughly half a mile away at the main recreation area. The old iron mine pits in the park hold exceptionally clear water, and anglers have reported catching smallmouth and rock bass, though at least one reviewer noted visible parasites in the fish. Snorkelers have spotted large pike near drop-offs. As Ruby M. puts it, trail access is "the main reason people camp there."

Amenities include electric hookups, hot showers, and sites that accommodate RVs up to 30 feet. There is no on-site dump station or firewood for sale; campers with RVs typically use the memorial park in town to fill and dump, and the local Holiday station for wood. Reservations are available, pets are allowed, and the campground runs year-round. Campers wanting a more wooded or private setup might consider True North Basecamp or Crosby Memorial City Park nearby.

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Air Quality at this campground may currently be very unhealthy. Please check with the campground before making a reservation.

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Map & DirectionsCuyuna Country State Recreation Area Campground is located in Minnesota near Crosby

Detail location of campground
Public Campground

Directions

The recreation area is located near the communities of Crosby and Ironton. The campground is located on the northwest shore of Portsmouth Mine Lake.

Address

307 3rd Street
Ironton, MN 56455

Coordinates

46.49171083 N
93.97277285 W

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Connectivity

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  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 2 users
    Last on 7/7/26
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 2 users
    Last on 7/16/26

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Connectivity

Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 2 users
    Last on 7/7/26
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 2 users
    Last on 7/16/26

Access

  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Dispersed
  • Group
  • Yurts

Features

For Campers

  • Picnic Table
  • Firewood Available
  • Phone Service
  • Reservable
  • Showers
  • Electric Hookups
  • Toilets
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • 30 Amp Hookups
  • 50 Amp Hookups
  • Big Rig Friendly

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Reviews4 Camper Reviews - Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area Campground

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4.0

out of 5

4 Reviews

Campers regularly cited excellent mountain biking trails and crystal-clear lakes as major draws. However, several guests reported limited privacy and facility challenges including no firewood sales or dump station.

SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile
Reviewed Jul. 11, 2020

Tons if fun for all

The mountain biking trails were in great shape and were great for all skill levels. The lake was super clear and the small beach was wonderful. The fishing was productive for small mouth bass and rock bass, but snorkelers told of huge pike in the nearby drop off. The fish meat was speckled in parasites. The showers were hot and outhouse was fairly clean. We had sites 5 and 6, so we had our own area on top of the hill, which was really nice for our group of nine.

  • Review photo of Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area Campground by Dave T., July 11, 2020
  • Review photo of Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area Campground by Dave T., July 11, 2020
  • Review photo of Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area Campground by Dave T., July 11, 2020
Reviewed Jul. 2, 2019

Stunning yurts and unbelievable clear lakes

For someone who likes to do it all Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area is the place to be!!!

From Rv Camping and tent camping to amazing secluded Yurts on a trout pond there are more than enough options to camp and stay.

The campground itself isn’t anything to rave about, and is mostly open and pretty close together but the yurts, those are a different story!

The yurts are set on a beautiful only mine pit that is stocked with all kinds of trout. The have a wood burning stove, bunk beds, table, chairs, bear locker, fire ring and picnic table. There is a pergola style shelter with a full roof for outdoor cooking.

The view of the trout pond is absolutely stunning and fishing isn’t bad either if you know how to fish trout. There is a shop in town that will deliver kayaks and pick them up when you are done for a small fee, like 50$ for the day?

The old mine pits around and in the park are pristine and literally crystal clear! You can see hundreds of feet down through crystal clear water making it an amazing place to canoe and kayak.

If you are into mountain biking, this is definitely the park for you! Some of the best mountain biking red dirt trails are located in this recreation area! Shops in town rent bikes too! The views from the trails are breathtaking!

Overall, one of my favorite places to hike, bike, camp and, paddle!

  • Review photo of Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area Campground by Allison K., July 2, 2019
  • Review photo of Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area Campground by Allison K., July 2, 2019
  • Review photo of Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area Campground by Allison K., July 2, 2019
  • (12) View All
Reviewed Jul. 29, 2018

Backyard camping

Nice flat grassy ground, but no privacy. It is basically a very nice manicured lawn. Close to trail access though, which is the main reason people camp there.

Month of VisitAugust
Reviewed Aug. 14, 2017

Great for Mountain Bikes

We camp frequently in Minnesota state parks. This had to be one of the hardest parks to find. The lack of signage is really a problem here. If you are camping, you need to know you are looking for 'Portsmouth Campground' and ignore every other sign that says Cuyuna. The park office is in town and also hard to find. They are also not open very much. There is no wood for sale, no dump station and the water has a funky taste. You will need to go to the memorial park in town to fill/dump your rv and the Holiday Station for firewood. The roads are very bumpy and narrow. There is a tiny beach off of the campground and a larger one at the Cuyuna Recreation Area about 1/2 mile away from the campground. If you want privacy, this is not the campground for you. The outer ring has some foliage but the central ring is wide open with very few trees. The upside is that the campsites go the whole width of the inner ring. There are lots of bike trails at this campground and people love mountain biking here.

SiteSite 18e
Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area Campground by Liz H., August 14, 2017
Showing results 1-4 of 4 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at Portsmouth Campground in Crosby, MN?

Portsmouth Campground offers basic amenities with nice flat, grassy camping sites on well-manicured grounds. While the sites lack privacy since they're essentially on an open lawn area, the campground provides convenient access to the trail system. The campground is functional but simple, designed primarily as a base for exploring the recreation area's activities. For more specific amenity information regarding bathrooms, water sources, or electrical hookups, contact the park office in town for current details.

What are visitors saying about Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area in their reviews?

Visitors to Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area highlight the excellent mountain biking trails suitable for all skill levels. The area receives praise for its versatile outdoor activities including fishing for smallmouth and rock bass in remarkably clear lakes, swimming at the small beach area, and snorkeling. Campers appreciate the variety of accommodation options, though note the open layout of the main campground with limited privacy. The park's natural beauty and recreational opportunities are consistently highlighted as standout features that make it an excellent destination for active outdoor enthusiasts.

How do I find Portsmouth Campground within Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area?

Finding Portsmouth Campground can be challenging due to limited signage. When navigating to the campground, specifically look for signs marked "Portsmouth Campground" rather than following general Cuyuna signage. The park office is located in town, not at the campground itself. First-time visitors should prepare for some navigation difficulties and consider getting specific directions from the park office before arriving. Consider downloading offline maps to help locate the campground entrance.

Are there cabins or yurts available at Cuyuna State Park?

Yes, Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area offers yurts as accommodation options. These yurts are noted for being secluded and situated on a trout pond, providing a unique and peaceful camping experience. This is in addition to the standard RV and tent camping available at Portsmouth Campground. The yurts offer a more private alternative to the open layout of the main campground area.

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