Cuyuna Country State Rec Area, near Ironton, Minnesota, is a fantastic spot for those who love the outdoors and want a bit of everything. With options for tent camping, RVs, and even unique yurts, there's a setup for every kind of camper.

The campground is known for its stunning mountain biking trails that cater to all skill levels, making it a favorite among cyclists. Visitors rave about the crystal-clear lakes, perfect for fishing and kayaking, with some even spotting impressive pike while snorkeling. As one happy camper put it, “The mountain biking trails were in great shape and were great for all skill levels.”

While the campground itself is mostly open and can feel a bit close-knit, the yurts offer a cozy retreat with amenities like wood-burning stoves and picnic tables. The views from these yurts overlooking the trout pond are simply breathtaking, and fishing enthusiasts will find plenty to keep them busy.

If you're looking to explore, the surrounding area is packed with trails for hiking and biking, plus a small beach nearby for a refreshing dip. Just keep in mind that the park office can be tricky to find, so come prepared. Whether you're here for a weekend or a longer stay, Cuyuna Country State Rec Area has plenty to offer for a memorable outdoor adventure.

Cuyuna Country State Rec Area

Crosby is an ideal place for camping adventures of all kinds. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in, as well as sights to see and explore. You're sure to find the perfect spot for your Minnesota camping adventure.

Crosby

The Best Camping Near Crosby, Minnesota

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.

Great for Mountain Bikes

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.

Backyard camping

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!

Stunning yurts and unbelievable clear lakes 

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.

Photos of Cuyuna Country State Rec Area

Real photos from real campers