Is Red River Group Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Red River Group Campground accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Are there showers at Red River Group Campground?

Red River Group Campground does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

Are dogs allowed at Red River Group Campground?

Pets are not allowed at Red River Group Campground. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

Red River Group Campground

4.57

84 reviews

Top 16% in MNSummer

B-Report Card

Featured in:Summer Camping Minnesota

Quick Facts

833 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

No Pets

Book on Minnesota DNR Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

833 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

No Pets

Book on Minnesota DNR Official Website

Get Directions

Red River Group Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

No paid fee categories listed.

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Campground Map

Red River Group Campground

47.9296, -97.0292

Weather at Red River Group Campground

Best Time to Camp at Red River Group Campground

The campground is closed from late October to early May. Summer offers the most reliable warm weather and full access to the riverside greenway, with daytime highs typically in the mid-70s to mid-80s°F and cool nights in the 50s–60s°F. This is prime time for evening naturalist programs, moonlit walks, campfires, fishing and riverside picnics, though mosquitoes and ticks are at their peak so bring repellent. Weekends can be moderately busy with local campers; weekdays are quieter and great for relaxed shoreline camping. Shoulder seasons in late spring and early fall offer cooler temperatures and fewer crowds while trails and river access remain usable, though nights can be cold and river levels can fluctuate in spring.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.5 / 5

Top 16% in MN

Open and fully accessible in summer; warm highs mid-70s to mid-80s and extensive trail access.

Planning Tips

About Red River Group Campground

Red River Group Campground sits within the city limits of East Grand Forks on a 1,200-acre greenway along the Red River of the North. Reviewers call it surprisingly peaceful despite the urban setting, with large, well-spaced sites offering full hookups, sparkling-clean bathrooms, and direct access to miles of paved riverside trails. The group camp is designed for special events and large parties, with ample tent space, multiple picnic tables, fire rings, and shade trees. Summer programs include evening naturalist activities and moonlit walks, and downtown restaurants and the Grand Forks boardwalk are within walking distance.

Weather and SeasonsThe campground is closed from late October to early May. Summer offers the most reliable warm weather and full access to the riverside greenway, with daytime highs typically in the mid-70s to mid-80s°F and cool nights in the 50s–60s°F. This is prime time for evening naturalist programs, moonlit walks, campfires, fishing and riverside picnics, though mosquitoes and ticks are at their peak so bring repellent. Weekends can be moderately busy with local campers; weekdays are quieter and great for relaxed shoreline camping. Shoulder seasons in late spring and early fall offer cooler temperatures and fewer crowds while trails and river access remain usable, though nights can be cold and river levels can fluctuate in spring.

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground occupies the flat floodplain where the Red River of the North meets the Red Lake River, a blend of grassy open areas, young floodplain forest, and riverbank vegetation. The Red River runs directly alongside the camp, visible from sites and shoreline access points, with benches and floating docks for fishing. Mature trees that survived the 1997 flood provide shade in the group area. The river corridor supports rich riparian habitat and is a major migratory route for songbirds, great blue herons, and bald eagles. Paved multi-use trails loop through the greenway, with one review mentioning an 8-mile network connecting the recreation area to the downtown boardwalk.

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Reserving a campsite

Tents

Tents are not allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Best CampsitesThe group camp is a single dedicated area designed for large parties, with ample space for many tents, several picnic tables, fire rings, and shade from nearby trees. No site-by-site differentiation exists within the group area. The most desirable spots are likely those closer to tree cover for shade and slightly farther from internal roads, though specific locations aren't documented in reviews.

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Policies & Safety

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

No Flush ToiletsFlush toilets are not available at this campground. Expect vault or pit toilets only.

No Electric HookupsElectric hookups are not available at this campground. RV campers should arrive with a full battery and plan for off-grid power (generator hours/quiet rules permitting).

No Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

No Dump StationThere is no dump station at this campground. Plan to use a dump station along your route or at a nearby facility before or after your stay.

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Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.6

84 reviews

Top-Rated

Red River Group Campground is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews

Reviewers overwhelmingly praise Red River Group Campground for being clean, well‑maintained, and surprisingly peaceful despite its city location. Guests highlight large, well‑spaced sites with full hookups, excellent bathrooms/showers, extensive paved bike and walking trails, family amenities (playgrounds, fishing, mini zoo), and easy walking access to downtown dining and the Grand Forks boardwalk.

Review Summaries

Based on 84 reviews

What Campers Love

["Very clean facilities—multiple reviewers called the bathrooms and showers 'sparkling' and 'incredibly clean'.","Large, well‑spaced sites with full hookups (water and sewer) and...

Based on 84 reviews

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Red River Group Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

No paid fee categories listed.

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free to start · paid plans add 2-min scans

256,000+ sites monitored · Email alerts to start; SMS and in-app with an account

Learn more about alerts →

Share this campground

Minnesota State Parks

Provider

Go if

Large groups or families who want a basecamp with real amenities close to a city. Reviewers consistently praise the hookups, spotless bathrooms, and the floating docks where catfish are catchable right from camp.

Skip if

Pets aren't allowed, so four-legged campers are out. Solo or couple travelers won't find a standard site here either since this is strictly a group-use facility, and city noise plus serious mosquito pressure in summer aren't for everyone.

Nearby Campgrounds

Red River State Recreation Area

Nestled along the winding Red River in East Grand Forks, Red River Group Camp offers your crew an expansive riverside retreat on beautifully reclaimed floodplain. This spacious group site puts you steps from downtown conveniences and miles of scenic riverfront trails—the perfect basecamp for groups looking to blend natural riverside relaxation with easy access to town.

Sherlock Park Campground

Red River State Recreation Area

Sherlock Park Campground sits along the Red River in East Grand Forks, where riverside sites meet urban convenience. The campground offers spacious pull-through sites, many with full hookups, and connects directly to the Greater Grand Forks Greenway trail system. A 4.7-star rating from 22 reviews reflects clean facilities, friendly staff, and quick access to downtown restaurants and shopping.

Turtle River Campground

Turtle River State Park

Nestled among towering trees in North Dakota's scenic Turtle River valley, this welcoming campground offers something for every type of outdoor enthusiast. Choose from rustic campsites to well-appointed cabins with modern comforts like heat, AC, and full bathrooms, then explore miles of winding trails through the forest. Just keep an eye out for poison ivy during your woodland adventures!

$15.00 - $50.00 / night

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Red River State Recreation Area

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Laporte, MN, USA (no street address found)

Nestled among towering oaks and whispering spruces, Pine Ridge Campground's Oak & Spruce loops offer the perfect base camp for exploring the legendary Mississippi Headwaters. You'll enjoy modern conveniences like electric and water hookups, clean shower facilities, and playground fun—all while being just a quick pedal or stroll from Lake Itasca's pristine shores. Whether you're pitching a tent under the forest canopy or pulling in your RV, paved trails and shaded sites await your north-woods adventure.

Buffalo River Campground

Buffalo River State Park

Buffalo River Campground sits in Buffalo River State Park, a 984-acre preserve of tallgrass prairie and riparian woods along the meandering Buffalo River in northwestern Minnesota. The campground draws consistent praise for exceptionally clean facilities, shaded sites under mature trees, and quiet evenings despite proximity to I-94 near Moorhead. All sites require online booking; electric site fees run around $42 plus a mandatory $7/day park pass.

Campgrounds

Red River State Recreation Area

Red River Group Campground

B-

Camper Report Card

How campers graded it

Rated higher than 62% of graded campgrounds

Graded on what 79 campers actually wrote - graded on 14 things that make or break a trip. Each topic is graded against every other campground on it - A is among the best, C about average. No star ratings.

Strengths

Grade A+.Getting there
Grade A.Belonging
Grade A-.Campsites

Watch-outs

Grade C-.Scenery
Grade C+.Safety
Grade C+.Value

Every grade - tap to see what campers said

Each topic is graded against every other campground on it; a topic campers liked never grades below C−. ± shows the 95% confidence range from the sample size.

How we grade →See how Minnesota grades overall

About Willow Creek Reservoir - Montana

Context for the broader area surrounding Red River Group Campground, sourced from the federal Recreation.gov rec-area record.

<A HREF="http://www.usbr.gov/projects/Facility.jsp?fac_Name=Willow+Creek+Dam">Willow Creek Dam</a>, a part of the <A HREF="http://www.usbr.gov/projects/Project.jsp?proj_Name=Sun River Project">Sun River Project</a>, is an earthfill structure on Willow Creek about 15 miles southeast of Gibson Dam. This reservoir, with 1,530 water surface acres, 3,069 land acres and 11 shoreline miles, offers fishing for rainbow trout and kokanee salmon.

Directions

Located about 20 miles west of Great Falls, Montana. Off U.S. 89.

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Summer Camping in Minnesota