Fargo, North Dakota is a city in eastern North Dakota, located right beside the North Dakota-Minnesota border. The city is the county seat of Cass County. Originally, Fargo was founded on the Red River of the North floodplain in 1871. The community was named after William Fargo, the founder of the Wells Fargo Express Company and director of the Northern Pacific Railway. Once the railroad arrived in the area, the city of Fargo began to grow and flourish, eventually becoming known as "The Gateway to the West." A large fire destroyed much of the town in 1893, but Fargo was quickly rebuilt with a water system, new streets, and brick buildings. Throughout the 20th century, Fargo continued to grow steadily, and as of 2022, the population was approximately 140,000.
Today, Fargo is primarily known for its vibrant downtown area and for being the home of North Dakota State University. If you get the chance, consider catching a football game at the university's Fargodome. You could also watch the college's baseball team play at Newman Outdoor Field. If you'd rather get out and enjoy some recreational activities yourself, one great option is to rent a bike at Lindenwood Park and go for a scenic ride on the trails. For something more relaxing, you could take the whole family for a fun day at the Red River Zoo.
If you're a fan of the performing arts, you could catch a live show at the Fargo Theatre or attend a performance of the spectacular Fargo-Moorhead Opera. While you're in the area, it's worth exploring unique educational attractions like the Roger Maris Museum, Bonanzaville USA, the Fargo Air Museum, and the Plains Art Museum. There are also some fantastic eateries in Fargo, including spots like the Herd & Horns, Luna Fargo, and Mezzaluna.
Campgrounds Near Fargo, North Dakota
If you're in search of a good family-friendly campground, consider staying at the Red River Valley Fair Campground. There, you can rent a full-hookup RV campsite, and you'll have easy access to the nearby fair and all its games, rides, and other entertaining activities. The campground also offers an RV dump station, showers, Wi-Fi, and other basic amenities.
You could also camp at East Ashtabula Crossing, which features 38 RV campsites available for between $26 and $52 per night. Although there are no sites with full hookups, there are sites with 30-amp electricity and water. The park is located right beside Ashtabula Lake, providing guests with great opportunities for boating, swimming, and fishing.
The Hillsboro Campground is another top-notch campground to consider in the area. The campsites are large enough to accommodate big rigs, and there are 34 full-hookup RV sites available in total. You can rent one of the sites for $30 per night or $200 per week, and you'll be able to enjoy amenities like a playground, dump station, camp store, and laundry facilities.
State Parks Near Fargo, North Dakota
Fort Ransom State Park is not only a great place for outdoor recreation, but it's also a site with fascinating historical significance. The park features two historic homesteader farms: the Andrew Sunne farm and Bjone House. There's also a visitor center where visitors can learn all about the area's history. If you're just looking to have some fun in the fresh air, you can partake in activities like kayaking, canoeing, fishing, hiking, biking, and horseback riding. And during the winter, the park offers excellent opportunities for cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing.
Situated near Battle Lake, Minnesota, Glendalough State Park lies on the shores of the peaceful Annie Battle Lake. The lake is a great spot to fish for bluegill, sunfish, bullhead, and other fish species. Other features of the lovely park include the Beaver Pond Interpretive Trail, the Glendalough Trail, and a historic lodge where you can hold meetings or get-togethers. Many visitors also spend their time at the park by taking kayaks or canoes out on the placid lake.
Turtle River State Park is a picturesque natural haven located in Arvilla, North Dakota. The area provides a tranquil setting for all kinds of recreational activities. You can go hiking or biking along the 12 miles of trails, do some angling for trout in the nearby river, or, if you visit during the winter, spend your day sledding or cross-country skiing.
National Sites Near Fargo, North Dakota
If you're interested in Native American culture and history, then Pipestone National Monument is certainly worth a visit. The site is home to rock quarries featuring soft red stone, which Native Americans dig and carve with their hands to create the pipes they use for ceremonies and prayer. In total, the monument preserves more than 50 quarries that are still used by federally recognized Native American tribes. You can learn more about the area and its history at the on-site visitor center, and you can also explore areas like the Circle Trail and the South Quarry Trail.
The Mississippi National River and Recreation Area comprise over 60 state and national facilities, all of which are found along the Mississippi River corridor. There are a wide variety of sights to see and activities to enjoy throughout the corridor. For example, you could check out the impressive dam at the Minneapolis' St. Anthony Falls Visitor Center, learn about the mighty river at the Mississippi River Visitor Center, and spend a day at Fort Snelling State Park. You'll also find many opportunities for activities like hiking, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, biking, snowmobiling, and more. These are just a small sampling of the many places to see and things to do throughout the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area.
Another massive national site to explore is the Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway, which protects 252 miles of river and adjacent lands. The riverway provides lovely settings for various outdoor activities, such as hiking, biking, boating, fishing, and cross-country skiing. You can also find quite a few fantastic spots for camping in a variety of beautiful areas. Along the riverway, you'll find lush woodlands, river bluffs, scenic trails, and much more.
National Forests Near Fargo, North Dakota
Chippewa National Forest is a large forest offering many recreational opportunities and featuring plenty of unique historical landmarks. Throughout the forest, which was originally established as a reserve in 1902, you can tour fascinating sites like Camp Rabideau, the Chippewa National Forest Historic Supervisor's Office, and three different visitor centers. Chippewa National Forest also boasts an area filled with old-growth trees, including many that are more than 350 years old. The area is a great destination for winter recreation, such as snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. During spring and summer, it's worth navigating hiking routes like the Lost 40 Trail and the Lake Windigo Loop.
Another beautiful national forest in Minnesota is Superior National Forest, which was established back in 1909. The forest contains various ecosystems, including watersheds, meadows, and boreal forest land. If you head to the shores of the massive Lake Superior, you'll find great fishing piers, swimming beaches, and picnic spots. Visitors to the forest often enjoy all sorts of activities, including camping, hiking, hunting, boating, swimming, fishing, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and ice fishing.
Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest is a massive stretch of peaceful land encompassing over 1.5 million acres in northern Wisconsin. The forest has a rich Native American history, with traces of certain tribes dating back as far as 10,000 years. When the snowy Wisconsin winter arrives, the huge nature area becomes a prime destination for ice fishing, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing. There are also many bodies of water around the forest, including 24 swimming areas and plenty of spots for boating, fishing, kayaking, and canoeing. If you want to explore the park on foot, hiking routes like the Argonne Experimental Forest Trail and the Anvil Lake Trail are great places to start.
