VOLUNTEER WITH THE CREW
The Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Trails are built and maintained by volunteers, with support from the Minnesota DNR on state-managed lands. From light maintenance to full trail rebuilds, the Crew helps keep the system safe, rideable, and fun year-round.
Because we work on state land, volunteer trail work is coordinated with the Crew and the local DNR. This helps ensure projects are safe, organized, approved, and aligned with the long-term care of the trail system.
Some people give time. Some people give money. Some people advocate, share updates, attend events, or help welcome new riders and volunteers. No matter how you are involved, every part matters.
It takes a Crew.
You do not need experience to get started.
You just need to show up ready to help, learn, and work alongside the Crew.
How to Get STARTED
1. Download Trailbot
Before your first volunteer event, please download the Trailbot app.
In Trailbot:
Search for Cuyuna State Recreation Area
Join as a volunteer
Enter your information
Trailbot helps us track volunteer hours, organize trail work, and show the value volunteers bring to the trail system.
2. RSVP for a Volunteer Event
The easiest way to get started is to RSVP for a scheduled Crew workday, training, or volunteer event.
RSVPs help us plan tools, projects, crew leaders, safety needs, and communication before each workday.
No experience is needed unless the event description says otherwise.
We’ll provide tools, basic instruction, and support.
3. Show Up Ready to Help
Please come prepared for working outside.
Bring:
Full, refillable water bottle
Bug spray
Close-toed shoes or boots
Long pants
Long sleeves recommended
Gloves, if you have them
Weather-appropriate layers
Poison ivy, ticks, heat, rain, and changing trail conditions are all part of working in Cuyuna. Please dress for the woods and the weather.
Families and Youth Volunteers
Families are welcome at Crew volunteer events!
Kids as young as 4 are welcome to join with direct adult supervision. We love seeing young trail users learn what it takes to care for the trails.
For safety, volunteers 17 and under are not allowed to operate power tools. This includes equipment like weed whips, chainsaws, blowers, and other powered equipment.
There are still plenty of ways youth volunteers can help, including picking up sticks, moving small debris, cutting drains, helping with raking, cheering on the crew, and learning alongside adults.
Whether you want to dig in at a workday or help out on your own when time allows, there are multiple ways to get involved.
Working on State Land
The Cuyuna trail system is located within the Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area and is managed by the Minnesota DNR.
Because we work on state land, trail work must be coordinated through the Crew and our local DNR partners. Please do not start independent trail work without approval.
This helps keep projects safe, organized, approved, and aligned with the long-term care of the trail system.
Ways to Help
Some roles require additional training or approval, including chainsaw work, weed whipping, equipment operation, solo trail work, and Trail Captain roles.
Volunteer work may include:
Clearing corridor
Cutting face slappers
Moving debris
Cleaning and cutting drains
Repairing erosion
Raking or reshaping tread
Weed whipping
Leaf blowing
Event setup and teardown
Registration or merch support
Behind-the-scenes help
Ready to Join Us?
Start here:
Show up ready to help
We’ll provide the tools, direction, and support. You bring your water, your willingness to learn, and love for the trails.
See you in the dirt.
UNLOCK THE CREW CHAT
Want to get more involved with the Crew, whether it’s volunteering, insider updates, or finding folks to ride with? Become a Crew Member to unlock access to our Teams Crew Chat.
Crew members get a weekly scoop on what’s happening, upcoming volunteer opportunities, and Crew news before anyone else. It’s one of the best ways to connect with us in Cuyuna, no matter where you live.
Hit the button below and we’ll be in touch.
Quick Links for Volunteers
Use the links below to access common volunteer tools and resources.
Log Volunteer Hours
Track your time & contributions.Event Calendar
See upcoming workdays, trainings, & events.