Buffalo River State Park

Buffalo River State Park is located about 15 miles east of Fargo-Moorhead on Highway 10. Aside from the nature trails, fishing spots, and prairie grasses, there are also picnic areas, beaches, children's play areas, a community pool, cross country skiing and snowshoe trails, camping sites, and a science center.

Buffalo River State Park is home to a variety of regional animals, from badgers and chipmunks to beavers and red foxes. Over 1300 acres of land to enjoy (including 900 acres of grassland), the park can be packed full of families, hikers, and birdwatchers in the summer months. For golfers, there is a public golf course adjacent to Buffalo River State Park.

The park is open in the winter, too. There is a warming house located by the enclosed picnic area along the river. There are also heated shelters along the snowshoe and cross country ski trails.

The regional science center (pictured) hosts traveling exhibits and educational programs geared to different age groups (and adults). The on-site observatory is used to project the sky into the interpretive center's auditorium. I have heard that viewers are rewarded with an outstanding celestial show.

And if you want to try something different, the park offers you the opportunity to try out your geocaching skills.

One word of caution to Fargoans traveling east: be careful on Highway 10. The traffic can be overwhelming in the summer when everybody is off to the lakes.