Buffalo River State Park

Welcome to Buffalo River State Park, one of the largest remaining prairies in the State of Minnesota located about 15 minutes from the Fargo-Moorhead metropolitan area.

Park History: The grasslands of this park and the surrounding region were formed by the melting waters of glacial Lake Agassiz (which covered over 200,000 square miles) thousands of years ago and became the home of many bison herds. A section of the Red River Oxcart Trail brought trade into the region and people transported furs, tallow, and hides between Pembina, North Dakota and St. Paul Minnesota. However the majority of the region's settlers came to take advantage of the fertile soils and set up farms. In the 1930's the local Moorhead Rod and Gun Club lobbied the State of Minnesota for protection of a section of land for recreational usage for the local communities. Finally in 1937, Buffalo River State Park was established and efforts have been underway since 1979 to restore the local prairie ecosystems.

Wildlife: Buffalo River State Park helps protect the home of many wild critters including coyotes, deer, badgers, foxes, mice, woodpeckers, and many others. Please treat their home with respect.

For the lover of the outdoors Buffalo River State Park boasts miles of multipurpose trails, dozens of campsites (35 with electricity), a swimming pool, and several picnic tables. Come on out and explore! Buffalo River State Park was RecPlanet Park of the day on February 16, 2014.

To contact the park office call 218-498-2124.

This was RecPlanet place of the day on March 1, 2016.