Minnesota may not be a coastal state, but there are still plenty of places to get in the water. Our more than 10,000 lakes are home to sandy beaches, rugged hiking trails, secret fishing spots, and remote island stays – to name only a few activities.

Today, we want to add another Minnesota lake activity to the list. Most people don’t know it, but there’s a scuba park hiding in Minnesota where you can take a dive. Read on below to learn about Cuyuna County State Recreation Area and the diving that you can do there.

Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area is a 2,700-acre park in Crow Wing, Minnesota, about 125 miles north of the Twin Cities or 100 miles west of Duluth.
Tony Webster/Flickr
The park is the site of a former open-pit mine, which has slowly been transformed into a usable recreation area.
Bjorn/Flickr
The rugged terrain makes the park a popular spot for mountain biking. There are more than 50 miles of mountain bike trails throughout the park.
Daniel Randolph/Google
The trails have difficulty levels ranging from beginner to expert, making this a great spot for seasoned riders along with those just dipping their toe in the water.
Troy Nickel/Google

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The park’s lakes also draw in many visitors. They are human-made lakes, known for their clear waters, that formed when former mine pits naturally filled back in with water.
Sharon Mollerus/Flickr
The lakes have made Cuyuna Country a popular place for scuba divers to practice and learn. Diving schools often come here to instruct students in various certifications.
Todd Murray/Flickr
If you’ve ever wanted to scuba dive, know that there is a place in Minnesota where the water is perfect for learning the skill!
Todd Murray/Flickr
Find a dive school, then head up to Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area to explore the waters of a former open-pit mine!
Todd Murray/Flickr

Have you ever heard of Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area? Would you ever go scuba diving? Let us know in the comments! And if you have other favorite lake activities in Minnesota, be sure to let us know by nominating them!

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Featured Addresses
Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area, 3rd Street, Ironton, MN, USA