Between St. Cloud And Grand Forks Is Minnesota's State Park With Trails, Wildlife, And Riverfront Leisure

Most Minnesotans have a state park or recreation area within 30 miles of their backyards, making scenic detours highly accessible for road trippers. Tucked between St. Cloud, Minnesota, and Grand Forks, North Dakota, is Buffalo River State Park, a quiet Minnesota escape protecting one of the state's largest tallgrass prairies. Here, the Buffalo River flows through a mixed hardwood forest, providing a habitat for over 200 bird species and various mammals. If you need a place to relax, it's an ideal place to drop a fishing line, spot wildlife, and take leisurely strolls on riverfront trails.

Located on a quiet rural road off US Highway 10 – just five miles outside of Glyndon, Minnesota — Buffalo River State Park is also 14 miles east of the Fargo-Moorhead metropolitan area, which spans North Dakota and Minnesota. The park was formed in 1937, and its landscape dates back thousands of years. Lake Agassiz, an expansive prehistoric glacial lake, formed the terrain after melting, leaving behind sand ridges and soil deposits. When combined with next-door lands owned by The Nature Conservancy and Minnesota State University Moorhead, you have more than 8,000 acres of land, known as the Bluestem Prairie Preserve. When you visit, you're exploring a rare piece of pre-settled Minnesota land. "It [Buffalo River State Park] is incredibly quiet, peaceful, and surrounded by nothing but pure nature. Just what we needed to unhitch, relax, and unwind!" remarked a Facebook user. 

If you're into stargazing, the park's low light pollution makes it ideal to watch the cosmos over the prairie, often used by Fargo-Moorhead Astronomy Club to host star parties. Buffalo River State Park is open daily until 10 p.m. Visitors can purchase a $7 vehicle permit in advance using the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources' Yodel portal or at the park entrance (if a ranger is available).

Many still remember the swimming pond at Buffalo River State Park, which was closed in 2019 because of operational challenges. Even without the pond, the park's prairie and riverfront scenes are a standout for visitors. A TripAdvisor user gave the park a 5-star rating, saying, "A pleasant surprise for those who love nature, especially if you'd like to walk miles of rather pristine Midwest prairie and forest in summer." The TripAdvisor user further described the scene, "A cool small river winding through lush basswood, ash and oak woods. Fireflies at night. Scads of birds."

Much like Crow Wing State Park, one of Minnesota's riverfront state parks, Buffalo River is a low-key spot for leisure. The park lists four main trails: the Bluestem, the River View, the Wide Sky, and the Muskoda trails, ranging from a half-mile to 3 miles long. If you only have time to hike one, choose the River View Trail. On the River View Trail, an easy 3-mile loop takes you through the forest along the riverbank where you'll connect to adjacent prairie lands. Visit in the summer to hike through prairies filled with butterflies and wildflowers. By fall, the mixed hardwood forests change with shades of orange and gold, which glow against the riverbanks.

The hikes offer peaceful views with bridge crossings and lots of wildlife spotting opportunities. Out on the prairie, look for prairie chickens, upland sandpipers, jackrabbits, red foxes, and plenty of pollinators. As you move into the forest, you might spot white-tailed deer and hear woodpeckers in the distance. However, white-tailed deer also move through the prairie. When you're on the riverbanks, look for beaver dams, and with some patience, you might even see a beaver swimming.

Buffalo River State Park's main draw is its river, with one hiker remarking, "The river looked so inviting I wanted to jump in." The river is a 139-mile-long tributary of the Red River, the latter of which borders Minnesota and North Dakota. Inside the park, visitors can access the river's shoreline for activities like fishing and picnics. You might also consider hanging out at the Buffalo River Overlook.

Although there is no designated swimming area, it's not unusual to see parkgoers getting their feet wet in the shallow water. Anglers, bring your line and fishing license (those under 16 don't need a license) for a chance to reel in dinner. The river is known for white sucker, river redhorse, and goldeye. If you're visiting and don't have a rod, you're in luck. Rent a fishing kit from the ranger station for free and enjoy a slow-paced day at the water's edge.

After a park visit, spend the night at one of 44 drive-in campsites and watch the starry sky. Alternatively, drive to Moorhead, an underrated Minnesota city with an artsy vibe. Moorhead is about 20 minutes from Buffalo River State Park, and you can find places to eat and lodge on Main Avenue. You might even prefer to cross the state border and visit Fargo, North Dakota's largest walkable city.