Eternal Bliss (Louise) is a fresh water dive site, located in MN. This dive site has an average rating of 4.00 out of 5 from 2 scuba divers.
In one of about 55 open-pit mines now accessible in the Cuyuna Country State Recreational Area in Minnesota, this dive site is known for its "unnatural" attractions. Divers will find two submerged boats, a snowmobile, plastic skeletons, mermaid and more. The site also has some pumping equipment (pipes), drift shafts and power poles left over from its mining past. Louise can be circled in about an hour and makes for a good long shallow dive. A submerged roadway leads into the middle and some great wall diving is off either side of the road. Keep an eye open for the "critters" that have been placed along the road. A training platform sits about 22 feet (7 m) from the surface, and is often used for training. It can be congested on weekends. Visibility at Louise is considered best midweek, and for those planning a deeper dive, an early morning to midafternoon dive is recommended to take advantage of direct sunlight. Visibility in the pits of Cuyuna never drop below 20 feet (6 m) and during the winter can reach 120 feet (36 m). As one of Minnesota’s newest state recreation areas, Cuyuna’s 5,000 acres (2,000 hectares) are mostly undeveloped. Off-highway vehicles are not permitted within the boundaries of Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area. Depths to: More than 100 feet (30 m). Visibility: 20-60 feet (6-18 m). Water temperature: In July and August, in the mid-70s Fahrenheit (23-35 degrees Celsius) down to 30 feet (9 m), and in the mid-50s (12-14 C) from 30 to 60 feet (9 to 18 m) deep. Aquatic life: Trout, northern pike, walleye, crappie, smallmouth bass and sunfish. Fees: State park permits cost $5 for a single day or $25 for an annual pass. On-site amenities: Seventeen campground sites, toilets, a 6.1-mile (9.8-km) paved bike trail, and a 22-mile (35-km) mountain bike trail system. More info: Cuyuna Lakes Chamber of Commerce at cuyunalakes.com/outdoor/diving/index.htm or (218) 546-8131, Brainerd Lakes Chamber at www.explorebrainerdlakes.com or (800) 450-2838, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources at www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/cuyuna_country/index.html, Cuyuna State Recreational Area office at (218) 546-5926. Open: Winter weather determines access, as the roads are not maintained. Call ahead for up-to-date information. Getting there: From Brainerd in central Minnesota, drive north on Minnesota Highway 210 for about 11 miles (18 km) to Country Road 128, then turn left. Drive about 1 mile (1.6 km) and turn right onto Portsmouth Mine Road.