A Nearly 60-Year-Old Scout Camp Heads to Market
One of central Minnesota's most distinctive properties is officially for sale. Camp Cuyuna, a 550-acre Scout camp near Crosslake in the Brainerd Lakes area, has been listed at $2.75 million by the Twin Valley Council of Scouting America. The camp has been in operation since 1967, but declining membership and consistent operating losses pushed the council toward a sale.
Nick Maxwell, a Twin Valley Council board member, said the council hopes the next owner maintains the property's peacefulness and connection to nature. The 15-parcel property at 38594 County Road 3 touches three lakes, Pickerel, Command, and Goodrich, and includes infrastructure ranging from staff cabins and a ranger residence to an outdoor chapel and a full commissary.
What Makes This Property Unique
The standout detail here is the conservation easement. More than 460 of the 550 acres are governed by an easement with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, which protects the wilderness character and natural buffer that have defined Camp Cuyuna for decades. That means any future owner inherits a property where the northwoods feel is permanently preserved.
About 82 acres sit outside the easement, giving a buyer room to pursue redevelopment, new programming, or continued camp operations. The property also includes a 300-foot zipline, a 45-foot climbing tower, archery and gun ranges, and an aquatics area.
Who Might Buy It
Listing broker John McCarthy of Colliers, who is leading the sale alongside Curt Johnson, said potential buyers could include conservation groups, recreation camps, retreat operators, or families looking for legacy land. The $2.75 million asking price is notable when compared to the property's total assessed value, which exceeds $8 million according to the Colliers marketing brochure.
A Farewell Before the Next Chapter
For anyone with personal ties to Camp Cuyuna, the council is hosting a farewell reunion on June 20th for former campers, staff, leaders, and others connected to the camp. Registration is available through the Twin Valley Council website. Properties like this rarely come to market in Minnesota, and whatever comes next will shape this stretch of the Brainerd Lakes area for generations.
Thinking about buying or selling in the Twin Cities? Let's talk. Text Darin Bjerknes at 612-702-5126 or DM on Instagram @darintheminnesotan.
