The pandemic had an unexpected silver lining in our household: it finally motivated our youngest to ditch her training wheels. What started as a stubborn refusal to ride on two wheels transformed into an eager embrace of cycling freedom. One spring day, she declared she was ready, and with a quick wrench adjustment, she was off – albeit briefly, before a minor pavement imperfection sent her tumbling. But she persevered, and now, she’s a full-fledged pedaler.
So, when friends suggested a weekend of single-track riding in Crosby, Minnesota, on the famed Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Trails, I was hesitant. Cuyuna is a Midwest mountain biking mecca, boasting over 30 miles of stunning red dirt trails winding through a landscape of reclaimed mine pit lakes. While Cuyuna and Crosby are rapidly becoming the go-to destination for bikers, much like the Boundary Waters are for paddlers, I questioned if our kids, especially Matilda, still new to two wheels, and her sister Willa, more accustomed to pavement than rugged terrain with her new mountain bike, were ready for the “red dirt rodeo.”
However, our friends, seasoned Cuyuna riders whose daughters were the same age as ours, assured us it was doable – they even bought a cabin in Crosby as a biking hub. This testament to Cuyuna’s family-friendly appeal eased my worries, but I made one last attempt to back out, citing a lack of mountain bikes for Matilda and my wife, Vanessa. This concern was quickly dismissed with the recommendation of Red Raven in Crosby, known for its high-quality, affordable bike rentals.
And just like that, we were committed.
Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area, nestled between the Brainerd Lakes area and Lake Mille Lacs, sits in the heart of Minnesota’s tourist region. Yet, towns like Crosby and Ironton, former mining hubs, had historically been bypassed by the tourism boom. That changed when visionary cyclists recognized the potential of the area’s 5,000 acres of woods, waste rock, iron-rich red dirt, and pristine mine pit lakes for mountain biking. The state agreed, and in 2011, the Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Trails opened, drawing riders to its unique landscape. Cuyuna’s magnetism has since redirected the central Minnesota tourist flow right through Crosby.
Crosby itself is a gem. A short bike ride from Cuyuna, its main street, centered around the intersection of East Main Street and 3rd Avenue, offers everything a biker needs. From the Cuyuna Brewing Company and Iron Range Eatery to a grocery and liquor store, and Red Raven, a bike shop and organic café, Crosby has the charm of a ski town, with Cuyuna as its affordable resort. Accommodation options range from Airbnbs and campsites to cyclist-centric camper-cabin resorts like True North Basecamp and Red Rider Resort, all conveniently close to the trails.
While some cyclists bike directly from Crosby, our friends prefer to drive to the Miner’s Mountain Rally Center within Cuyuna. This park, situated between Huntington and Pennington Mine Lakes, serves as the trail system’s central hub. Warm-up skill loops near the parking lots quickly captivated the kids. Before the adults even finished unloading, Matilda was already covered in red dirt, her face beaming – any lingering skepticism vanished as I watched her joyfully navigate the loops on her rented Red Dirt Bike.
Cuyuna’s single-track trails are easily accessed from a six-mile paved loop around the lakes. Trail difficulty is clearly marked, ski-slope style, at each trailhead. Many are beginner-friendly “green circle” trails, yet still engaging for experienced riders, winding through forests and offering glimpses of the stunning mine pit lakes. After a satisfying ride, we transitioned from bikes to canoes, heading to Huntington Mine Lake for paddling, swimming, and well-deserved refreshments.
Despite the other kids already changing into swimsuits, Matilda, who just weeks before was hesitant to remove training wheels, remained helmeted, eager for a few more laps on the skill loop course. Her newfound love for red dirt biking was undeniable.
Breaking Away: More Two-Wheeled Adventures
Inspired to explore beyond Cuyuna’s red dirt? Here are two more fantastic biking destinations in Minnesota, offering diverse trails and experiences for every family member.
Sakatah Singing Hills
This 39-mile trail connecting Mankato and Faribault traverses the remnants of the Big Woods forests, transitioning into prairies, marshes, lakes, and farmlands. Within Sakatah Lake State Park, ancient oak trees spared during Minnesota’s logging history create an unparalleled, majestic canopy.
Lake Wobegon Trail
Following the old Great Northern Railroad corridor, this 65-mile asphalt trail features trailheads and amenities in towns like St. Joseph, Waite Park, Avon, and Albany. The scenic ride passes through woods, farms, college campuses, and even monasteries. Extend your ride to Holdingford to experience Minnesota’s longest covered bridge.
Redhead Mountain Bike Park
Located north of the Twin Cities in Chisholm, the state’s newest mountain bike park boasts single-track trails through a 1,225-acre former Iron Range mine. Open daily from dawn to dusk, trails like Roller Derby and Mine Blast run alongside the crystal-clear blue waters of former mine pits. With 15 miles already open and 35 planned, riders are praising its world-class quality. The trailhead is at the Minnesota Discovery Center, with limited rentals available. After riding, enjoy food at the Rustic Pig Food Court and explore Iron Range history exhibits at the museum. For overnight stays, the Chisholm Inn and Suites and the Chisholm Iron Trail Campground are conveniently located nearby.
