Hiking & Camping Day Trips from Grand Forks!

Imagine you have been looking forward all week to sitting at home and watching football or baseball. But wait! The Twins’ season has been over for weeks and if you are really honest about things, the Vikings’ season probably has been too. Why spend your weekend afternoons rotting away in front of your television hoping for a miracle when you could get outside and enjoy the numerous outdoor opportunities right in your own backyard.

If you want to get some exercise, have the kids burn some pent-up energy, get the dog its walk and enjoy some fresh air, there are some great options right in greater Grand Forks. The Greenway trail system right in town contains over 20 miles of paved trail systems, perfect for walking, running or biking. The trails provide access to a multitude of other outdoor opportunities, including shore fishing, kayak/canoe access, multiple playgrounds, a dog park and frisbee golf ranges. In summer you can enjoy the shade provided by the large cottonwood trees that line the Red River. In the winter you can take advantage of access to cross-country skiing, fat tire bike riding, sledding, and ice skating.

If you want to get some exercise, have the kids burn some pent-up energy, get the dog its walk and enjoy some fresh air, there are some great options right in greater Grand Forks. The Greenway trail system right in town contains over 20 miles of paved trail systems, perfect for walking, running or biking. The trails provide access to a multitude of other outdoor opportunities, including shore fishing, kayak/canoe access, multiple playgrounds, a dog park and frisbee golf ranges. In summer you can enjoy the shade provided by the large cottonwood trees that line the Red River. In the winter you can take advantage of access to cross-country skiing, fat tire bike riding, sledding, and ice skating.

The Red River State Recreational Area in East Grand Forks provides users with the ability to experience camping in an urban setting. The campground contains 113 sites, 98 of which are full hookups (electric and sewer). If you are really feeling adventurous, there are walk-in tent sites right along the river. With gas prices rising, you can still experience the joy of sitting around the fire at your campsite without the need to travel hours away.

For those who want to get out of town for the day or just the afternoon, there are many options available within a short drive of Grand Forks. Turtle River State Park is a short 22-mile drive straight west of Grand Forks on Highway 2. The campground has 67 sites with water and electricity, 3 modern group camp sites for multiple families and 26 primitive sites (no electricity or water). The campsite contains modern and clean comfort stations with shower facilities and flush toilets. In winter, enjoy activities such as fat tire biking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and sledding. As an added bonus, the Turtle River is stocked with rainbow trout, providing a unique opportunity for anyone wishing to wet a line.

Larimore Dam Recreational Area is operated by Grand Forks County and is a short 35-mile drive west of Grand Forks. While a majority of the campsites are reserved for seasonal use, there are 12 overnight sites available. All sites are fully electric and have water hookups. The park contains a swimming beach, sand volleyball, frisbee golf, horseshoe pits and playgrounds. Fishing is good year around, with many anglers taking advantage of ice fishing as indicated by an ice shack village not seen since “Grumpy Old Men”. There is not a large trail system at Larimore Dam Recreational Area, but the trails connect the campground to the City of Larimore, ND, where you can access the 9-hole Larimore Golf Course, City Museum, City swimming pool, and other local businesses. Another unique opportunity at Larimore is the 26-acre Myra Arboretum, containing over 500 species of trees and shrubs. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the area’s plants, birds and other wildlife. Most of the trails are paved and fenced, and the entire loop is 1.5 miles long, making it an easy walk for those with younger children.

On the Minnesota side, Red Lake Falls is the home of Voyageur’s View Campground, providing a river tubing opportunity where you can lazily float down the Red Lake River during a hot summer day. If you prefer kayaking or canoeing, you can either rent kayaks from Voyageur’s view or launch your own at various access sites along the river. The Red Lake River, flowing out of Lower Red Lake approximately 95 river miles to the east, contains a variety of fish species, primarily smallmouth bass and walleye. If you are up for a real adventure, a float trip from Thief River Falls, MN to St. Hilaire MN will scratch that itch. Catching between 50 to 100 fish of multiple species in a day is not unheard of. Both Thief River Falls and St. Hilaire have modern campgrounds with electricity, water and bathroom facilities if you want to stay overnight or for a few days.

If you want to get away from the crowds, you can explore prairie, plants and wildlife at the Rydell National Wildlife Refuge, Glacial Ridge Wildlife Refuge, and Mentor Prairie Preserve. These public lands are home to the Western Prairie Fringed Orchid, a rare and threatened plant that grows only in specific environments such as tallgrass prairies. The Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge and Rydell National Wildlife Refuge are part of the Northern Tallgrass Prairie ecosystem. Prairie chickens and upland sandpipers are a few of the unique species you may see in the refuge. The mix of small wetlands and uplands are crucial for breeding habitat for a myriad of migratory birds, including waterfowl, songbirds, shorebirds and others. These properties are open to all kinds of outdoor activities, including hiking, backpacking, birdwatching, dog walking, fishing, cross-country skiing, photography, snowshoeing, wildlife watching, and limited hunting and trapping.

Do you really want to waste your weekend afternoons putting all  your hopes and dreams into a team that can only break your heart? Get out and re-energize yourself and your family by taking advantage of some of these unique, low-cost and easy-to-access outdoor opportunities. You can always watch ESPN for the football highlights and spring training is still a few months away….