State Parks near Fargo, ND

Stretching for 30 miles across Minnesota is Big Stone Lake State Park. A beautiful area of land that offers visitors countless opportunities for fun and recreation in the great outdoors. The lake itself is the source of the Minnesota River, and this lake is one of the biggest draws to the area.

Those that rent an RV in Big Stone County can enjoy walking through Big Stone Lake State Park's native prairie or can head out on the lake, and enjoy a quiet sunset and sleep by the water’s edge. Those that camp here often combine their trip with the many nearby attractions in towns such as Watertown, SD, Willmar, MN, and Brookings, SD.

Buffalo River State Park makes up one of Minnesota's remaining prairies and is a beautiful place to explore no matter the season. As well as the prairie, there is a hardwood forest that runs alongside the river, giving you the best of all worlds. Alongside the Bluestem Prairie Scientific and Natural Area, it protects one of the highest quality prairies in the state and is most popular for swimming and picnicking.

The state park was originally established in 1937. At first it was created to provide recreational activities in an area that had very little. However, it wasn’t until the 1960s that the rarity of the land was recognized. Covering over 6000 acres, it draws people to search for an …

Fort Ransom State Park is set in the Sheyenne River Valley and offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy the North Dakota sunshine. From fishing and canoeing along the Sheyenne River to hiking scenic trails, birdwatching, horseback riding, and camping under the stars, Fort Ransom is a fantastic place to reconnect with nature. The park is named after the 1860s military fort that once occupied its footprint. Today, the land has been transformed into a public recreation area for everyone to enjoy. History buffs will love discovering the park's farmstead heritage.

Planning a getaway to North Dakota? Book an RV in Ransom County and you can enjoy a riverside getaway to Fort Ransom State Park. With a home on wheels, you'll …

Tucked away in the lesser-visited Leaf Hills area of western Minnesota is Glacial Lakes State Park. Its location just off Highway 29 provides easy access to the closest big towns of Starbuck and Benson, while I-94 provides great access to Minneapolis and Fargo, ND, respectfully two hours to each.

Glacial Lakes State Park was originally established in 1963 in a bid to preserve some of the last remaining prairie habitats in Minneapolis. Glaciers that receded thousands of years ago carved these diverse landscapes, and, as a result, the state park has become a site of historical and geological significance.

With the park encompassing nearly 2,500 acres of land, there are plenty of rolling hills, lakes and marshes to …

Spanning over 1,900 acres, Glendalough State Park is a charming area that once served as a resort for the Cowles Media Company who owned the local newspaper. It was a popular site for many historical political figures to visit, such as former U.S. president Dwight Eisenhower and Walter Mondale. It was named after a monastery in Glendalough, Ireland.

This state park is situated next to Minnesota State Highway 78, making it very accessible for those who wish to tour the area with their motorhome. Glendalough State Park is a quick drive away from cities such as Alexandria and Fergus Falls.

Just 15 minutes away from Big Stone City and featuring over 300 acres of Big Stone Lake coastline is a lovely recreation area characterized by blooming wildflowers, open prairies, and scenic trails. The mesmerizing natural landscape of Hartford Beach State Park beckons boaters, anglers, history buffs, and hikers. The park’s centerpiece attraction, Big Stone Lake, was formed from the 10,000-year-old River Warren. What once was a river formed from melted glaciers is now a part of the Big Stone Lake.

Hartford Beach State Park campers will be able to walk or hike along the rocky and wooded shorelines, play volleyball, or explore the lake on a watercraft. They also get to spend their time here relaxing and breathing in some …

The wide expanse of Itasca State Park is nestled two hours outside of Fargo, North Dakota and four hours north of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Studded with over 100 lakes, rolling hills, and thick patches of forest, this glacial region crowns the headwaters of the Mississippi River as it winds over 2,000 miles south to the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

Opened in 1891, Itasca State Park is considered Minnesota’s oldest state park, but it's refused to slow down in its old age. Activities abound for those in search of adventure, or for those RV ramblers looking to relax and unwind, there's plenty of space to spread out and find a bit of peace and quiet. Keen to …

Bemidji is an anglicization of a Native American word, “Bemiji-gau-maug,” which roughly means cutting sideways. Mississippi River cuts through the lake on a diagonal, which is how the lake earned its name. Lake Bemidji State Park and its namesake lake were formed by the last great glacier as it scraped its way north on its retreat, some 10,000 years ago.

Heavily logged in the late 19th century, the state park was officially established in 1923, which preserved the last few groves of virgin trees that are hundreds of years old.

The Lake Bemidji State Park campground is close to several other state and national parks, as well as the town of Bemidji, which is about eight miles south. Centrally …

Located within 10 miles of Alexandria and slightly over 15 minutes from Parkers Prairie, lies the expansive Lake Carlos State Park. The park is right on the shores of the famous lake that gives it a name, and a few miles from Lake Ida and Lake Miltona. Its captivating natural beauty, a wide variety of recreational offerings and RV camping opportunities make it a favorite destination for Douglas County, MN campers.

Straddling over 1230 acres of Minnesota’s prairie landscape, it stretches out in a transition zone into tall coniferous forests. If what you are looking for is a break from a busy urban life, you can get away to Lake Carlos State Park for breathtaking natural scenery with marshes, …

Located among the glacial hills of Leaf Mountain is a lovely area caped with maple trees, elms, basswood, and oak. Named after its scenic woodland setting, Maplewood State Park protects 9,250 acres of land and attracts campers, horseback riders, hikers, and nature lovers throughout the whole year. The park also boasts pristine lakes and ponds where guests can relax, watch wildlife, or fish.

One of the top attractions during the summer season is definitely the picnic areas and sandy coastline of Lake Lida. During the winter, on the other hand, the park undergoes a transformation. The lake surface freezes and snow completely covers the grass prairies, which makes the place ideal for cross-country skiing.

Maplewood State Park is also near …

Take a step back through some Minnesota history at Old Mill State Park. A log cabin and steam-flour mill are both significant landmarks from the past and are just one of the many things to see in this Minnesota State Park. Old Mill State Park lies on the banks of Middle River, between the towns of Newfolden, Karlstad, and Argyle. Many people search for an RV in Marshall Country and visit the park to learn more about its interesting past.

Although Old Mill State Park is relatively small, at just 406 acres, there is still plenty to keep visitors entertained. This state park was originally homesteaded by the Larson family back in 1882, but Minnesota bought the …

Make your way to the Red River Valley in northwestern Minnesota on a motorhome camping trip to Red River State Recreation Area this summer. Located in the city of East Grand Forks, the state recreation area is spread out on the banks of the Red Lake River and the Red River of the North. Not too far from here lies the state of North Dakota and the cities of Grand Forks and Grafton. The area came into being after a terrible flood in the area prompted drastic changes that finally led to the creation of a 1200-acre greenway that we now know as Red River State Recreation Area. 

Known for attracting visitors from around the state for fishing, …

Roy Lake State Park is known for its phenomenal fishing. In northeastern South Dakota, 25 minutes from Sisseton, one hour north of Groton, and 45 minutes south of Gwinner, ND, Roy Lake State Park rests right on the edge of Roy Lake. Anglers and outdoor enthusiasts visit from all over to enjoy the scenic beauty and aquatic game of the area.

Humans have called Roy Lake home for hundreds of years. Evidence of the earliest settlers in the area date back to around 900 AD. As a result of westward expansion, the Roy family were the first non-native people to build a settlement, and the area was subsequently named after them. In 1946, the lake and local …

Tucked in the northeast corner of South Dakota, split between Roberts and Marshall counties, is one of the most scenic and mysterious parks in the entire United States: Sica Hollow State Park. The Sioux used the area as hunting grounds, but the place was never inhabited due to the inescapable sense of foreboding they had while tracking their quarry. In fact, some of the Native American legends speak of vengeful spirits who cursed the land, which resulted in gushing red streams.

There are even more eerie stories surrounding the state park, like sightings of Sasquatch, hearing drums playing in the distance, and seeing distant campfires that disappear. Even though there are explanations for many of these rumors, the very fact …

Turtle River State Park is located along Highway 2 in the eastern region of North Dakota, close to its border with Minnesota. Just a twenty-minute drive to Interstate Highway 29, Turtle River State Park is an ideal stop off for anyone driving through the towns of Grand Forks or Fargo.

Established in 1934, Turtle River State Park was one of many new green spaces built in North Dakota thanks to President Franklin Roosevelt's ‘New Deal’ program. The Civilian Conservation Corps set to work during this time constructing bridges, roads, and footpaths that would later be enjoyed by the general public as a space for recreation.

In a state that is so dominated by open prairie land, the 784-acres of …