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Family-Friendly State Parks
Real woods, hills, and swim beaches — the prairie hides more than people think, all within a short drive.
The valley is flat, but you only have to drive 20 minutes east before the land turns to lakes, hills, and hardwoods. These state parks are the easiest day trips for a hike, a swim, or a first night of camping. Distances are from Fargo.
Closest (under an hour)
Buffalo River State Park, MNSwim beach and prairie trails near Glyndon — about 20 minutesChecked August 14, 2026Visit ↗Fort Ransom State Park, NDHike the Sheyenne River valley — about 1 hr 15 southwestChecked August 14, 2026Visit ↗
Worth the drive (about 1–1.5 hrs)
Maplewood State Park, MNHills, lakes and fall color near Pelican RapidsChecked August 14, 2026Visit ↗Glendalough State Park, MNBike, paddle and a no-motor heritage fishery near Battle LakeChecked August 14, 2026Visit ↗Turtle River State Park, NDShady trails and tubing near Grand ForksChecked August 14, 2026Visit ↗Lake Carlos State Park, MNBig clear lake and campground near AlexandriaChecked August 14, 2026Visit ↗
The big one
Itasca State Park, MNWalk across the Mississippi headwaters — about 2.5 hrs, a bucket-list dayChecked August 14, 2026Visit ↗
Sheyenne National Grassland, NDTallgrass prairie and the Sheyenne hiking trail, southwest of town
Dad Tip
MN parks need a vehicle permit and ND parks charge a daily entry fee — buy an annual pass if you'll go more than three or four times a year. It pays for itself by July.
Every place on this page was read on its own website, and the date beside each one is the day we read it. What that date does and does not promise.
More in this section: Travel & Day Trips in Fargo-Moorhead