Larimore Dam Recreation Area Campground

The Great Outdoors

A highlight of camping at the Larimore Dam Recreation Area Campground is its access to the Larimore Dam, a sapphire blue lake that sprawls across 72 acres. You can explore the lake while hiking and biking along the shores or get out on the water canoeing and fishing. Also of note is the adjacent Maya Arboretum, which is home to more than 500 varieties of trees and shrubs, making it incredibly popular for those with a green thumb.The Larimore Dam Recreation Area Campground is ten minutes’ drive from the Turtle River State Park, which encompasses 784 acres along the Turtle River. It was established in 1934, with many of its footpaths, bridges, and buildings constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps, including the CCC Memorial Picnic Shelter that’s still in use today. You can explore the park along one of its numerous hiking and mountain biking trails or stop in at the outdoor learning center to discover more about the native flora and fauna. If you’re visiting in the winter months, many of the trails are also accessible to cross-country skiers.Continue driving the Larimore motorhome rental towards Grand Forks, and you’ll arrive at the Kellys Slough National Wildlife Refuge, which protects the wetlands of the Red River Valley. It supports a diversity of flora and fauna, with turnouts and interpretive panels where you can learn about the resident white-tailed deer, raccoons, and Hungarian partridges. There’s a short trail system near the main observation platform that visitors are welcome to access, with hunting and trapping permitted during designated seasons.

Exploring the City

The Larimore Dam Recreation Area Campground is just five minutes’ drive from the center of Larimore, where you’ll find supermarkets for stocking up on groceries and gas stations if you need to fill up your RV rental. There’s also a good choice of restaurants here, not to mention a swimming pool, baseball diamonds, and churches. While you’re visiting Larimore, stop in at the Larimore Community Museum, which details the people and events that have shaped the region. It features an old schoolroom and a recreated vintage kitchen, as well as antique furnishings and military artifacts.Campsites at the Larimore Dam Recreation Area Campground are around 30 minutes' drive from the heart of Grand Forks, which sprawls along the Red River on North Dakota’s border with Minnesota. Admire the works of contemporary art from around the globe at the North Dakota Museum of Art or coincide your visit with a performance at the Empire Arts Center. Architectural highlights include the Romanesque-style St. Michael’s Catholic Church and the Japanese-inspired structures within Sertoma Park. Kids will love the local waterpark and picturesque Lincoln Park, where you’ll find a playground, horseshoe pits, and a frisbee golf course. If you’re visiting during the festive season, don’t miss the drive-through holiday light display or the park’s sledding hill and ice skating rink.Drive in the other direction, and you’ll arrive at the town of Devils Lake, which perches on the north shore of Devils Lake. It was historically inhabited by the Dakota people, with the Spirit Lake Reservation now encompassing part of the southern shore. Devils Lake is considered the “Perch Capital of the World,” and there are numerous boat ramps where you can get out on the water to enjoy the lake’s recreational activities. Boats are also the best way of accessing Grahams Island State Park in the middle of the lake, which is another popular base for fishing, boating, and camping.Whether you want to explore the natural wonders of North Dakota or discover the museums of Grand Forks, book an RV in Grand Forks County and start planning your next vacation.