With local help and support, a dream to create the Cuyuna Lakes State Trail was born; its purpose being to preserve and yet share the recreation area, encouraging a variety of outdoor recreational activities.
With this mission in mind, the Cuyuna Lakes Trails Association (CLTA) was formed in 1998. The original members were participants in a Blandin Leadership program involving the Cuyuna Range area.
The group saw the trail as a way to enrich its community. After its inception, other community members became excited about the potential of the project and joined the association. The CLTA was incorporated as a nonprofit organization in 2001 and is an advocate for the state trail linking Brainerd, Crosby, Ironton and Aitkin, as well as, other trail development linking the Cuyun Range communities.
The CLTA believes that, when completed, this trail network will create an enhanced sense of identity and unity for the communities involved.