You’ll fall in love with Red Rider Resort—overnight Cuyuna camping just 1.5 miles north of downtown Crosby, MN. When you initially drive, cycle, or walk into Red Rider, you’ll be greeted by a pine forest on the hillside of the former Manuel Open Pit Mine, now the Manuel Mine Lake (160-foot depth). Local owners Teffany and Vern Lewis masterfully carved this resort and campground into the hillside, providing genuine forested privacy, even though other resort campers are also lodging on site.

Their cabins on stilts (Cabins #6, #7, and #8) are what set Red Rider Resort apart. Staying in one of these cabins makes for an unforgettable Cuyuna camping experience. Imagine being seven feet above the ground with not only a commanding view of Manuel Mine Lake from the large deck on the front of the cabin, but also a screened-in porch under the cabin. That’s thoughtful, and more important, highly usable. Each cabin comes complete with secure bicycle and gear storage, fire ring with cooking grate, park-style charcoal grill, picnic table, and four folding chairs. You have the ability to purchase firewood at the time of your online reservation. (Purchase it!)

Cabins #1, #2, #3, #4 and #5 provide a more traditional “ground-based” camper cabin experience for those adventurers who would rather keep their feet on the ground. Special note, cabins #4#5feature 3/4 bathrooms, 2 bedrooms, 2 pillows per bed, and daily housekeeping. How amazing is that? Cabins #1 through #4 are ADA accessible.

In addition to the cabins, also within a very short walking distance, are the brand-new new shower house, bathrooms, and a small, shared kitchen with a cooktop/stove, pizza oven, and toaster.

Inside the cabins, you’ll immediately enjoy the air conditioning (summer) and heat (winter), along with complimentary WiFi, Smart TV, mini-refrigerator, electric outlets, and USB chargers. Please note, only cabins #4 and #5 feature bedding and towels (bring your own pillow). If you are staying in any other cabin, bring along your sleeping bag, pillow, and towels. Know in advance, the mattresses are super-comfortable. We actually slept through our alarm!

Cuyuna camping at Red Rider Resort is ride-in, ride-out to the Yawkey Unit of mountain biking trails. That’s perfect in our books. And we call it the “Stairway to Heaven”—a beautiful, wood stairway is crafted into the hillside of Manuel Mine Lake and it goes right down to the water. From atop the floating dock, you’ll be able to see into the crystal-clear water and view sunfish and rainbow trout (depending on the season). Lifejackets are highly recommended for all water use, as this is an open pit now filled with water, so the shoreline drop-off is much steeper than a natural Minnesota lake.

Pets! Red Rider Resort accepts pets with a maximum of 2 dogs per cabin. Pets must be kenneled (within the cabin) when not supervised (providing your pet is not a barker when left alone). Pets must be leashed when outside with owner. Pets must be picked up after on the resort and campgrounds. Currently Red Rider Resort does not charge a pet fee extra.

For more details on Cuyuna cabin rentals, the campground, and availability please visit Red Rider Resort.