Red River State Recreation Area
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 14, 2025
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Summary
The Red River State Recreation Area is located in the city of East Grand Forks, Minnesota, and is situated along the Red River of the North, which forms the boundary between Minnesota and North Dakota. The park offers a range of recreational activities, including hiking, fishing, boating, and camping.
One of the main reasons to visit the Red River State Recreation Area is to enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings. The park is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, foxes, and numerous species of birds. Visitors can also enjoy scenic views of the Red River and the surrounding landscape.
There are several points of interest to see within the park, including the River Watch Tower, which offers panoramic views of the area, and the nearby Lowry Bridge, which was built in 1929 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The park is also home to a number of hiking trails, a disc golf course, and a playground.
Interesting facts about the Red River State Recreation Area include that it was established in 1980 and covers an area of 98 acres. The park is also home to a variety of trees, including cottonwood, ash, and maple.
The best time of year to visit the Red River State Recreation Area is during the summer months, when the weather is warm and the park is busiest. However, the park is open year-round and offers a range of winter activities, including cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Overall, the Red River State Recreation Area is a great place to visit for anyone looking to enjoy outdoor recreation in a beautiful natural setting.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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