Unwind on the Forkside: Guide to a Grand Forks Chillin’ Summer

The Great Outdoors…if you’re old enough this will likely bring to mind a bear’s bald bum or John Candy and Dan Akyroyd bundled up in an assortment of random household items flailing about trying to catch a bat. No, this isn’t about that classic 80’s movie, but if you haven’t seen it, I highly recommend a watch. This is all about all the places in and around Grand Forks that you can go, unlike John and Dan, to enjoy some peace and quiet to relax.

My first recommendation is a personal favorite of mine that is a decent drive outside of Grand Forks County, but well worth the time if you’re truly looking for a undisturbed respite from the hustle and bustle. Nowesta Memorial Grove is an hour drive north from Grand Forks. Nowesta is one of the original tree groves in the area, established in memory of the pioneers who founded the Nowesta Community that saw its first families arrive from Ontario, Canada in 1881.

The original tree claim grove was planted by Wm. E. Gardiner in 1888 under the Timber Culture Act which was passed in 1873. The Act enabled homesteaders to increase their owned property or get an initial plot of 160 acres if they planted trees on a quarter of the land. Scientists of the time thought this would alter the climate and ecology of the Great Plains by greatly increasing rainfall, thereby enabling greater agricultural development.

While this was a significant opportunity for settlers or those seeking to expand into the vast and open lands of the Great Plains, it could be argued that this official act marked a pivotal moment in the displacement of the indigenous people who had long called the land home and the disruption of their way of life.

The plot of land now known as the Nowesta Memorial Grove was purchased by J. Frank Elliot in 1919 and donated in Trust to the North Dakota Forest Service in 1988. Nowadays, the multiple pathways are well maintained, while leaving the rest of the park to its natural splendor. There are a few picnic tables but I suggest bringing a large blanket to lay out in the springy tall grass fields while you enjoy a few snacks and read a book, watch the clouds roll by, or just nap as a breeze gently rolls through the trees – just as it has for countless generations.

As far as parks go, especially within Grand Forks, you won’t find a more unique or well-kept one than the Greenway. Built in response to the Flood of ’97, instead of just placing a dike system to prevent another large-scale disaster, it was decided to incorporate a park that doubled as flood plain when the river rose. Roughly 2,200 acres of natural open space running over 20 miles of the Red River boasts golf courses, disc golf courses, multi-purpose trails (rollerblading is my preference), camping, and fishing sites – to say nothing about just taking a leisurely stroll along the paved path that runs the length.

For all of that and more,  kayaking is where I find the most peace along the long winding park. In the summer you can rent a kayak, canoe, or paddleboard from the Boathouse on the Red or the University of North Dakota’s Outpost. The Boathouse is typically located in the parking lot just on the North Dakota side of the Red River off Demers Ave. Base rentals of $15 for adults and less for kids and students for 90 minutes and $5 each hour after, giving you a relatively cheap afternoon of cruising the waters of the Red.

Bring snacks, some music, a book, camera or even a small set of supplies to paint because there are numerous places to pull onto the bank and take in the lush greenery and soft lapping of the ageless river that meanders through downtown, encased by miles and miles of farmland if you travel far enough.

The Outpost at UND has more than just boating supplies, as a matter of fact you’d be able to fill an entire camping stay on the Greenway just with their gear. Sleeping bags and tents, yard games, bikes and inline skates are all available for varying prices that range from $2 for dodge Frisbee Golf to $15 for a kayaking package.

It is also worth mentioning that they have options available during the winter months too! Cross-country ski packages, snowshoes, and ice skates are all available to keep us Grandforksians on the move all times of year! If you just want to get out into the sunshine but aren’t up for traveling, the Greenway should be your first stop regardless of what activity you feel up to.

For as much as people enjoy being outside, sometimes you don’t want to travel very far to find nature. Grand Forks and the Grand Forks Air Force Base are especially lucky that we have a State Park near us!

7.5 miles from the Base and 21.8 miles from central Grand Forks, Turtle River State Park awaits you. The lush state park boasts 775 acres of trails, making it the perfect spot for camping, fishing, or hiking. Even in the winter, the park serves as an outdoor playground, with a warming house at the bottom of a fantastic sledding hill. Established in 1934, the park has numerous stone and log buildings used by park personnel and rentable to the public. Originally there was also a bathhouse, which may seem strange today, but at the time was a frequently used facility. It eventually was repurposed into the CCC Memorial Picnic Shelter.

If you’re looking for a special location the Woodland Lodge is a 100-person facility that has a fireplace, full-service kitchen and outdoor patio. Class reunions, company retreats and weddings are all on the table with this stone and wood building. If you’re looking for more of a day adventure, 11 different trails ranging from .6 to 2.46 miles are yours for the picking. You’ll get “lost” in the woods, follow the meandering Turtle River and trek through the grasslands as the birds and various critters scamper through the serene landscape.

Pack the car full because it does cost to get in, only $7 per vehicle per day or $35 for an entire year. If you’re a North Dakota Veteran with a disability rating of 50% or more or a POW, you are eligible for a free lifetime pass to all ND State parks and any veteran is eligible for a discounted $28 annual pass. Active Duty should check with their MWR or Outdoor Rec office for discounts or free passes.

Did you know that Grand Forks County has a beach? No, not on the Red River but at Larimore Dam! Located just up the road from Turtle River State Park the Grand Forks County Larimore Dam Recreation Area is a hidden gem. The beach, which sees a steady stream of swimmers during the summer, is just the start of this out-of-the-way good time. The 72-acre “lake” is perfect for a swim, a leisurely canoe, or paddle boat ride – and don’t worry about waves because gas powered boats are a no-go. Multiple picnic areas dot the grass with three covered spots that are available by reservation.

Not only can you camp (they have 125 seasonal sites, 7 monthly, and 12 overnight sites), but you also have your choice of horseshoe pits, volleyball court, a softball diamond, playgrounds, and hiking trails. You might think that a stroll through North Dakota wildlife might all be the same but you’d be wrong, within the Larimore Dam Recreation Area is the Myra Arboretum. Built during the overall construction of the Dam and Recreation facilities, the Arboretum is the perfect stroll for quiet contemplation surrounded by 500 varieties of trees and shrubs.

We all need the occasional break from the fast pace of life or from a week that hasn’t seemed to end. The above ideas are just a few of the spots that I have found that help me drop my shoulders, breathe deeply and renew my energy to take on whatever comes next. Explore these and find your own, because one thing Greater Grand Forks doesn’t shirk on is a quiet corner of nature.