Catch a Sunset at Cuyuna State Recreational Area

Cuyuna is widely known for its world class mountain biking. However, did you know it's also one of the best places to watch the sun rise and set. Not to mention it's so rarely frequented that only the locals use it as a campground.

There are two different options when going to Cuyuna to watch a sunset. The first is the easiest, and it's in the main parking lot for the Cuyuna Mountain Biking range. Off of the parking lot are two different lakes, both are excellent for seeing reflections. There is also a road off the back of the parking lot that will take you to a scenic overlook, however, it's not always open as sometimes the road gets washed out.

The second option is to drive past the parking lot entrance about a quarter mile until you see Silkstone Drive on your left. Make sure your vehicle can handle some gravel and bumps though. From Silkstone there are dozens of roads you can wander around on until you find the right spot. Each road ends in a different, unique location on a lake, and nearly every location has somewhere to set up a bonfire and pitch a tent if desired.

My personal favorite is the very first road to the Left off of Silkstone. The road will bring you to two different clearings, each is beautiful. At night you can hear the beavers splash their tails against the water and loons call to each other.

This is the perfect place to stay if you are looking for a secluded, beautiful, and peaceful place to relax.