Buffalo River State Park

Buffalo River State Park is located about 14 miles east of Moorhead, Minnesota. The entrance to the park is right off U.S. Highway 10. There is a fee to enter the park; a day use or annual permit can be purchased at the park office.  The park’s namesake, the Buffalo River, flows through the middle of the park. There is a hardwood forest near the river, while the majority of the park and the adjacent Bluestem Prairie Scientific and Natural Area protect one of the largest and highest quality northern tallgrass prairies in the United States. Buffalo River State Park and the Bluestem Prairie Scientific and Natural Area encompass 4,658 acres. Dogs are allowed in most areas of the park when kept on a leash.

Recreational activities enjoyed by visitors include picnicking, camping, hiking, swimming, and fishing. There are 12 miles of hiking trails that lead hikers through riverine forest and prairies. The prairie offers the opportunity to view colorful wildflowers and grasses as well as birds such as bobolinks, prairie chickens, marbled godwits and upland sandpipers.  In the forest near the Buffalo River hikers often see deer and beavers. Birds found in the forest include woodpeckers, flycatchers, phoebes, warblers, vireos, and orioles. Anglers can fish the Buffalo River for white sucker, river redhorse, goldeye and other fish. The park has a unique man-made and chlorinated swimming pond with sandy beaches. There are no groomed cross-country ski trails in the park, but snowshoeing is allowed anywhere in the park.

There is a campground in the park with a total of 44 drive-in sites, 35 of the sites have electric hook ups with 50, 30, and 20-amp service. Two of the sites are wheelchair accessible. In addition to the main campground there is one group site that can accommodate up to 50 people. There is a dump station near the campground.

A link to the Minnesota DNR website for Buffalo River State Park can be found here.