Timeline Highlights

1998

Formation - The Cuyuna Lakes Trail Association is conceived, initiated by participants in a Blandin Leadership program and other community members enthused by the potential benefits of a State Trail within the Cuyuna Lakes area.

2001

Tax Status - The Cuyuna Lakes Trail Association becomes a officially registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

2002

Approval - The Cuyuna Lakes State Trail is legislatively authorized by the State of Minnesota (Minnesota Statutes 85.015, Subdivision 24) as an official State Trail.

2004

Master Plan - The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Division of Trails & Waterways releases the Cuyuna Lakes State Trail Master Plan, providing broad guidelines for the eventual completion of Cuyuna Lakes State Trail. View the 2004 Master plan here (7.4 MB PDF).

2005

Shovels in the ground! - The first installment of the Cuyuna Lakes State Trail is unveiled, connecting the Croft Mine Historical Park in northeast Crosby to the primary entrance of the Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area (an area now known as the Miner’s Mountain Rally Center). Segment length 2.4 miles, providing direct links between Crosby and Ironton, and adjacent Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Trails within the Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area.

2010

Riverton Connection - The Cuyuna Lakes State Trail is expanded to the west/southwest, connecting the Miner’s Mountain Rally Center to a new trailhead in Riverton, featuring a large parking lot and signage. New segment length of 3.2 miles brings the total length of the Cuyuna Lakes State Trail to 5.6 miles. The cities of Crosby, Ironton and Riverton are now directly linked by the Trail, as well as adjacent Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Trails within the adjacent Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area.

2019

Highway 6 Underpass - Just north of Crosby, the State Highway 6 underpass is completed, allowing (via the Cuyuna Lakes State Trail) for easy access between the ever-growing recreational opportunities that exist on both the west and east sides of the State Highway 6. Access to the Yawkey Unit of the Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area is now safer, and easier. Parking in the area is moved, and dramatically expanded.

Deerwood Connection - The Cuyuna Lakes State Trail is extended to the east, connecting Croft Mine Historical Park to the Deerwood Ball Field. With an additional 3.6 miles now added, the total length of the Cuyuna Lakes State Trail now stands at 9.2 miles. The cities of Crosby, Ironton, Riverton and Deerwood are now directly linked by the Trail, with mountain bike connector access to Cuyuna.