Red River State Recreation Area park
Red River State Recreation Area
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.
Park & land designation reference
A quick legend for the federal and state land categories Snoflo tracks. Each designation comes with different rules around access, recreation, and resource extraction.
- National Park
- 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 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.
- 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.
Plan your visit down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Area campgrounds
Snoflo-tracked campgrounds within reach of Red River State Recreation Area, with reservations status.
| Campground | Reservations | Toilets | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red River Sra - Sherlock Park | ✓ | ✓ | → |
| Grand Forks Afb Famcamp | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Alvarado City Park | ✗ | ✓ | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest parks, lakes, fishing spots, and POIs so a park visit can grow into a full weekend.
Responsible recreation & Leave No Trace
- Know before you go
- Check the operator's site for hours, permit requirements, seasonal closures, and fire restrictions before heading out.
- Stay on trail
- Stick to marked paths to protect vegetation, prevent erosion, and avoid disturbing wildlife habitat.
- Respect wildlife
- Observe from a distance, never feed wildlife, and store food securely if camping is permitted on-site.
- Pack it in, pack it out
- Carry out all trash, food scraps, and gear. Many parks have limited or no trash service.
- Leave what you find
- Don't take rocks, plants, or artifacts. They make the park what it is for the next visitor.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save Red River State Recreation Area as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, freezing temperatures, fire-restriction days), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
About Red River State Recreation Area
What can I do at Red River State Recreation Area?
Most Snoflo-tracked parks support hiking, picnicking, and wildlife viewing. Check the operator's site for activity-specific rules (camping, fishing, paddling, hunting).
How fresh is the weather data?
The hourly forecast updates throughout the day from NOAA / yr.no. Streamflow comes live from USGS streamgauges.
When is the best time to visit?
Use the 15-day temperature & precipitation outlook on this page to plan -- pick a window with comfortable temperatures and low precipitation.
How do I get to Red River State Recreation Area?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions in Google Maps, or Open in map to center the Snoflo interactive map on the park.
Can I get alerts when conditions change?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this park, set a threshold (temperature, precipitation), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.
Other parks near here
Snoflo-tracked parks within driving distance of Red River State Recreation Area.