OUR STORY & HISTORY OF THE AREA
Cuyuna Cove’s story is all about love, big dreams and perseverance. Founders Christopher and Kelsey grew up in central MN where they attended High School together. They graduated and went their separate ways, both moving across the nation to different states. After returning to Minneapolis at similar times, they reconnected and shared a strong passion for travel, hospitality, design and outdoor adventure.
Cuyuna Cove was born from a desire to combine custom design, travel inspiration and outdoor experiences. Utilizing their professional experience and over 7 years of renovating, designing and running Airbnb rentals, they made the leap, bought the land and got to work building Cuyuna Cove. “We both strongly believe in the importance of being outside in nature and what it can do for both your mind and your spirit and overall health. We built Cuyuna Cove so we could share the beauty, endless outdoor adventures and the unique history Cuyuna has to offer with others. This place is incredibly special and unique.”
HISTORY BEHIND THE NAME ‘CUYUNA’
The Cuyuna iron range was discovered by Cuyler Adams, a surveyor who discovered traces of magnetic ore in 1895 while doing land surveys. The word “Cuyuna” was coined by Adams’ wife, who combined the first three letters of Cuyler’s name with “Una”, the name of their dog. In 1903 Adams formed the Orelands Mining Co.
Christopher and Kelsey live in Crosby, MN with their two dogs and when they’re not at Cuyuna Cove you’ll most likely find them outside paddle boarding the mine lakes, biking the trails, hiking with the dogs and enjoying all that Historic Main Street in Crosby has to offer.
NEW BEGINNINGS
What once was a bustling iron ore mining area in Cuyuna, MN shut down in 1984. With endless red dirt land, sprawling forests and empty mine pits, Cuyuna was ready for change. That change came when mountain bikers, volunteers and locals worked together to push for trails to be carved into the abandoned landscape. Over the past 10 years Cuyuna has become one of the top outdoor adventure destinations with people visiting from across the globe. The land now boasts 30 miles (and counting) of renowned single track Mountain Bike trails, over 40 miles of paved trails and over 15 crystal clear, turquoise mine lakes perfect for paddle boarding and kayaking.
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Sooo this happened…guys, we’re in the Star Tribune!!
We definitely have some tears welling up in our eyes this morning drinking our coffee and finding out the article was posted a couple days ago.
Kelly Smith called me a couple weeks ago and asked if she could interview us (she had recently stayed in one of our cabins). Of course we said YES!
Oh, what a crazy couple years it has been. We’re grateful for every single one of our incredible guests, thank you for your words of encouragement during the build and covid this Spring…we needed it to keep going. Thin, stressed and worried we’d go under before we even opened our doors…it turned out to be quite the opposite.
Hope and the Minnesota community really came through for this small business. We love you all and thank you!! Have a beautiful Sunday.
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