The north-central Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area is on the bucket list of many mountain bikers — and with good reason: It boasts more than 50 miles of single track trail riding.

Ranked a silver-level Ride Center by the International Mountain Bicycling Association, the dirt trails are spread over 800 acres and target a variety of skill levels. Beginner runs are suitable for families and novice cyclists with gentle gradients of 0 to 5 percent, while expert trails are packed with technical switchbacks, white-knuckle jumps, and bone-jangling terrain with gradients of 15 percent and higher.

Photo: Red Raven

Adventurers come here from spring through fall to “shred the red,” a nod to the iron-rich soil that cakes their tires an inch thick, and return in winter armed with fat bikes. (If you don’t have your own, you can always rent a set of wheels from Red Raven in Crosby or Cykel in Ironton.)

Some routes — like Miner’s Mountain Rally Center or the Croft and Sagamore trailheads — are plowed in winter, so hardy fat bikers share the course with snowshoers and cross-country skiers. Consider that testament to the views: With or without a bike, the overlook at Miner’s Mountain is a jawdropper. 🚴

For more ideas of fun things to do in Central Minnesota, check out Ashlea Halpern’s Enter Your Dream State guide for Explore Minnesota.

Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area
Ironton, MN; 218-772-3690