13 Best Things to Do in Crosby, MN
If you’re wondering what the best things to do in Crosby, MN are, you’ve come to the right place! This adorable small town packs a punch!
The town is known for its red dirt trails, bright blue mine pit lakes, and great outdoors. I’ve visited several times just to escape from my everyday!
I live just an hour from Crosby, and I’ve visited many times because I love to go mountain biking! Living so close allows me to visit often! So in this post, I’ll share my favorite places in Crosby!
Things to Do in Crosby, MN
1. Go Mountain Biking at Cuyuna Recreation Area
The Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area is home to some of the best mountain bike trail systems in the state. There are nearly 60 miles of trails for all skill levels.
When I was learning to mountain bike, I visited Cuyuna often and stuck to the beginner trails. My favorite was the Mahnomen loop which has areas to practice your skills like going over rocks and boardwalks.
But there are also a lot of really great advanced trails for those who aren’t as beginner as I am. The Complete Cuyuna Loop is a 29-mile trail that loops around the entire area!
If you don’t have your own bike, you can rent one from the Red Raven, which offers a large variety of bikes for everyone.
2. Grab a Bite to Eat at Rafferty’s Pizza
If you’re exhausted from a long day of checking out the trails at Cuyuna Recreation Area, then slow down and grab a bite to eat at Rafferty’s.
We used to have a Rafferty’s in Grand Rapids and I was so sad when they left. So I always love stopping in to eat at the one in Crosby. They even have a great rooftop patio to enjoy.
Rafferty’s has a bunch of great pizza combinations, but last time we visited, we tried their Lucky Chicken, which has lingonberry sauce on it. It was surprisingly so good!
3. Enjoy the Teal Colored Mine Lakes
Central Minnesota and the Iron Range are known for having mine lakes that shine with a bright, teal color. Portsmouth Mine Pit Lake is one of the most popular in Crosby.
There are quite a few ways to enjoy these stunning lakes like paddleboarding, mountain biking around them, and hiking.
My favorite way to look at the lakes is to park at the Miner’s Mountain trailhead and see the views. You aren’t supposed to walk on the bike paths, so be sure not to get in any biker’s way. But you can get to Miner’s Mountain Lookout!
Otherwise, enjoy those views from the bikes, or get on the water itself!
4. Go Paddleboarding or Kayaking
Speaking of getting on the water, I really recommend checking out the lakes by doing some paddleboarding or kayaking.
I always use my inflatable paddleboard because it fits easily in my car, and then I just head out into the water. I also always wear a swimsuit in case I want to go for a swim in the lake!
There are public access points all around Crosby, but a few of the best are the Portsmouth Mine and the access in Crosby Memorial Park.
If you need to rent either a paddleboard or kayak, you can find half or full-day rentals of each at Cuyuna Outfitters.
5. Hike on the Paved Cuyuna Lakes State Trail
If you’re looking for a nice way to get outside and enjoy the fresh air but don’t want to commit to anything too strenuous, then check out the Cuyuna Lakes State Trail.
This is an 8-mile paved trail that passes through the Cuyuna Recreation Area and runs from Crosby to Riverton. There’s a trailhead at the Croft Mine Historical Park, so you can get some good hiking in here in central MN.
It runs right past many of the mine pit lakes in the area, giving you the chance to admire the beautiful lakes, right from the trail.
During the times that I’ve walked this trail, I’ve seen bikers, hikers, rollerbladers, families with strollers, and more. I really love that it’s an all-access trail!
6. Visit Miner’s Mountain Overlook
Miner’s Mountain Overlook is the highest point in the Cuyuna Recreation Area and offers one of the best viewpoints and things to do in Crosby.
There are a few different ways to get up to the viewpoint, and you can take any of them, depending on what you like to do.
First, the easiest way is to drive to the top via Miner’s Mountain Road, which is just off County Highway 30. This is the best if you don’t want to bike or have littles!
Otherwise, use the mountain bike trails! This is my preferred route because it allows me to see all of the beautiful views along the way. Plus, I love mountain biking!
7. Take a Weekend Getaway to Cuyuna Cove
One of the most popular places to stay in the Crosby area is Cuyuna Cove, and it’s the perfect place to escape to for a weekend getaway!
Cuyuna Cove has boutique cabins right near the mountain bike trails and mine pit lakes, so you’ll be close to nature. My favorite part is that each cabin has a front patio to sit out on so you can enjoy being outside.
There’s also a sauna at Cuyuna Cove, which honestly, might just be even better than the front porches. I mean, what’s better than sitting in a sauna after a long day of exploring?
8. Grab Ice Cream at Victual Rave Creamwork’s
One of my favorite parts of visiting somewhere new is finding one of their ice cream shops and trying their delicious flavors. And in Crosby, MN, that’s no different.
Victual sells premium cheese and Rave Creamwork’s ice cream and is the perfect place to stop for a snack between meals or dessert after dinner.
They even have perfected the lactose-free ice cream, so everyone can enjoy it! WIN!
They have a huge rotating menu, so there’s always something new to try. I’d grab a cone and head outside to sit on their patio which I really love. There’s even a giant mural of a diver in the mine pits near the patio to see!
9. Have a Drink at Cuyuna Brewing Co.
Located on Crosby’s main street, you’ll find Cuyuna Brewing Co. The perfect stop for a cold beer after a long day out on the trails or in the mine pits.
You’ll find beer on tap, straight from their brewery. I love the vibe at Cuyuna Brewing! It’s so cozy and they also have really tasty Mexican food available.
Occasionally there are events taking place at the brewery that make spending an evening here even more enjoyable.
10. Enjoy Local Shops on Main Street
One of my favorite parts of small towns is strolling down Main Street, so I loved getting to walk through all of the shops in Cuyuna!
Crosby’s Main Street has a variety of adorable shops that make for the perfect day spent in the town, doing some shopping.
Red Threads makes custom t-shirts and has an adorable selection of tops that showcase your visit to Cuyuna. Gifts Galore also has lots of small gifts and Common Goods is a great thrift store where I found a few hidden gems.
I recommend just finding a parking spot near Main Street and walking around for a while, because you’ll find plenty of spots to pop into.
11. Snowshoe or Fat Tire Bike the Trails in Winter
A great way to get out and explore the trails and Crosby area, even during the winter months in Minnesota, is by snowshoeing or cross-country skiing.
During the summer, the trails are designed for mountain bikers and hikers, but during the winter, they become open to snowshoers!
You can also try out fat tire biking, which is a really unique activity that I look forward to trying on my next visit to Crosby!
Rentals for fat tire bikes are available at Red Raven. There aren’t many places that offer snowshoe rentals right in Crosby, but you can rent them in Brainerd at Easy Riders.
12. Relax at Serpent Lake
If you’re looking for somewhere just to relax, rather than doing all sorts of adventures and activities, head to Serpent Lake.
This large lake is found right in the middle of Crosby and offers plenty of shoreline for visitors and locals to hang out on.
There’s a boat launch so you can get out on the water, or you can just relax on the grassy lawn near the water.
There actually is a serpent sculpture located in Crosby Memorial Park, which has been named Kahnah’ bek. It was given its name through a contest that was held in the 1970s.
13. Give Scuba Diving a Try
Something really unique to try in the Brainerd and Crosby area is scuba diving in Crosby Mine Lake.
This certainly isn’t something that can be done in many other places in Minnesota, so you might as well give it a try here!
People love scuba diving here because the water is fairly clear for a Minnesota lake, there are fish in the lake to search for, and a variety of forgotten machines from mining at the bottom.
It’s a really unique experience to go down into the water and see things that were left behind when the mining operations stopped, including things like pipes and abandoned vehicles.
Where to Stay in Crosby, MN
Of course, my number one recommendation is Cuyuna Cove, where you’ll find boutique cabins and glamping tents. This one-of-a-kind experience will be one of your favorite parts of your visit, and will leave you wanting to come back for more!
Just about 15 minutes out of town, you’ll find this beautiful resort on Bay Lake. With an outdoor pool, plenty of shoreline, and cabins or a lodge, this is a great place to stay the night.
Best Time to Visit Crosby
As we all know, Minnesota can be pretty rough in the winter months, so the best time to visit most towns in the state is the summer.
Summer provides us with warm temperatures, sunny skies, and a great amount of time to enjoy the outdoors.
It’s the best time to get out and enjoy the trails, mountain bike, get out on the water, and more.
Fall is also a beautiful time because the leaves are changing colors and the temperatures are starting to cool down a bit.
You can of course recreate in the winter as well, such as skiing, snowshoeing, and fat tire biking, but it will be much colder.
Wrap-Up: Crosby, MN
If you’re looking for the perfect getaway, no matter the weather in central Minnesota, be sure to add the small town of Crosby, MN to your list!
From adventuring outside to staying in adorable, cozy cabins and eating delicious food, there’s something for everyone here in the small town.
Now that you’re prepared with all sorts of activities, be sure to pack up your bags and get ready for an adventure.
