Find Safe, “North of Normal” Adventure in Fargo-Moorhead
These have not been normal times, but Fargo has always prided itself in being a little bit “North of Normal”; a resilient community founded on kindness, unparalleled creativity and ingenuity. If you’re looking for a safe, off-the-beaten-path kind of adventure, consider heading north to Fargo-Moorhead.
Parks & Conservatories
The Forest River Conservation Area is covered by over 40 acres of woodlands and more than 15 acres of prairie landscape. Considered a very popular place for birding, you’ll find marbled godwits, red-wing blackbirds, Virginia rail and many other species. There are nearly 1,000 acres along the Red River of the North enrolled in a joint conservation effort called The Urban Woods and Prairie Initiative, and over 200 acres have been restored to native conditions.
Just a few miles outside of the city is Buffalo River State Park, one of the largest and highest-quality prairie remnants in Minnesota. Combined with Bluestem Prairie Scientific and Natural Area, there are more than 6,000 acres of grassland and woods to explore, 250 species of wildflowers to smell, 200 species of birds to discover, and countless potential wildlife sightings.
You may think of the prairie as just flat … what is there to see? The answer is: sky … as far as the eye can see. And sunsets more vivid than you could ever imagine.
Buffalo River State Park. Courtesy Visit Fargo-Moorhead
Lake Country
Take a day trip deeper into Minnesota just outside of Fargo to discover the beautiful lakes country! In under 45 minutes, you can discover over 100 lakes, all great for boating, swimming, fishing or just relaxing on the beach.
The Red River of the North runs through the heart of the community, dividing Fargo from Moorhead and North Dakota from Minnesota. Discover miles of hiking trails, hop on a kayak/canoe, bike or do some fishing (The Red is known for its excellent catfishing). Every year, the River Keepers host a Race the Red event that consists of a 3.5-mile fun race and 6-mile competitive races.
Red River. Courtesy Visit Fargo-Moorhead
The City
The Midwest has always been known for its lack of crowds and open countrysides. Fargo-Moorhead offers just that, along with a city booming with culture, amazing food, and the nicest darn people you’ll ever meet.
Looking for an urban outdoor adventure? Fargo-Moorhead is home to the first GeoTour in North Dakota and Minnesota. Think of it like a real-life outdoor treasure hunt! One of the largest caches in the country is just waiting to be found.
Movie fan? While the city and the locals couldn’t be more different than what you’d expect if you’re a fan of the Cohen Brothers’ “Fargo,” you can stop by to take a picture with the actual woodchipper used in the movie. Makes for a great souvenir!
And you can’t forget about the zoo! The Red River Zoo specializes in cold-climate species both native and from around the word. They care for and breed some of the world’s rarest cold-climate animals.
Red River Zoo. Courtesy Visit Fargo-Moorhead
For more information on Fargo-Moorhead, visit www.VisitFargoMoorhead.org.
