Red River State Recreation Area
Also known as Red River SRA
- Status
- Open (per official listing)Daily 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.
- Entrance fee
- Statewide rule — see below
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Statewide rule — see below
- Camping
- Yes
- Official site
- dnr.state.mn.us(218) 773-4950
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Current alerts 1
Partial closure Park alertSherlock Campground closes for 2026 season October 26th. water is off at sites and bathrooms & shower buildings closed.. Contact station closed… (more)
Sherlock Campground closes for 2026 season October 26th. water is off at sites and bathrooms & shower buildings closed.. Contact station closed daily 12-1pm Water goes off for season October 13. All electric sites are 20, 30 & 50 amp. Sites on one ways roads, site #'s 1-20 & 42-69 not recommended for large RVs. Updated September 22,2026</
Posted by the park. Official alert
Overview
In Polk County, in East Grand Forks, Red River State Recreation Area covers about 175 acres.
The park supports boating, fishing, wildlife watching, ranger programs, and picnicking. Camping is available: 5 camping areas, including RV sites with full hookups, group camping, and showers.
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park | Daily | 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. | — |
| Office | The ranger station is open 9am-12/1-5pm daily Closed daily 12-1pm There may be times when staff are not available to have the office open during posted hours. Call ahead if you need to make sure the office is staffed during your visit. The office will sometimes be closed if staff are unavailable or need to briefly leave to attend to other needs. | ||
| Park | Drinking water: Off for season October 13th. Bathrooms: Closed October 13th. Buildings: Information kiosk near playground in Sherlock campground. Read about Near north neighborhood that was before flood of 1997 and the area that is now Red River SRA. Electric sites: 98 full service sites with water, sewer & electric (20,30 & 50 amp). 3 sites with electricity only. Available during the regular season. Water: Off for season October 13th. RVs: Generators are allowed between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. No dump station at this park. Sewer dump is at full-service sites. Dump station: No dump station available at this park. Sewer dump is at full-service sites. Trails: Find the most recent trail reports at greenwayggf.com. Rentals: The picnic shelter is available for rent during the summer season. Call the park office to reserve. Showers: Closed October 13th. Campgrounds: The campground has 113 campsites available during the summer camping season. Programs: Please check event calendar for program dates. | ||
Official wording
Daily from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m.
The ranger station is open 9am-12/1-5pm daily Closed daily 12-1pm There may be times when staff are not available to have the office open during posted hours. Call ahead if you need to make sure the office is staffed during your visit. The office will sometimes be closed if staff are unavailable or need to briefly leave to attend to other needs.
The campground has 113 campsites available during the summer camping season.
Drinking water: Off for season October 13th. Bathrooms: Closed October 13th. Buildings: Information kiosk near playground in Sherlock campground. Read about Near north neighborhood that was before flood of 1997 and the area that is now Red River SRA. Electric sites: 98 full service sites with water, sewer & electric (20,30 & 50 amp). 3 sites with electricity only. Available during the regular season. Water: Off for season October 13th. RVs: Generators are allowed between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. No dump station at this park. Sewer dump is at full-service sites. Dump station: No dump station available at this park. Sewer dump is at full-service sites. Trails: Find the most recent trail reports at greenwayggf.com. Rentals: The picnic shelter is available for rent during the summer season. Call the park office to reserve. Showers: Closed October 13th. Campgrounds: The campground has 113 campsites available during the summer camping season. Programs: Please check event calendar for program dates.
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/Chicago).
Pets
Pets allowed on a leash six feet or shorter (or in a portable enclosure) and personally attended; only service animals in buildings, lodging, camper cabins, yurts, tipis, tours and beach areas.
Statewide rule from Minnesota's park system (source). This park’s page doesn’t state its own pet rules, so check for local restrictions.
Fees and passes
Per vehicle: a state park vehicle permit (one-day $7 or year-round $35) is required for every vehicle; same price for residents and nonresidents. Four free park days per year. Iron Range OHV SRA states 'There is no entrance fee'.
Statewide fee rule from Minnesota's park system; this park’s page doesn’t list its own fees.
Minnesota park passes
- Year-round vehicle permit — $35. Unlimited visits to every Minnesota state park and recreation area for 12 months from the month of purchase Details
- One-day vehicle permit — $7. One day, one vehicle Details
- Additional year-round vehicle permit — $26. Additional vehicles owned by a year-round permit holder Details
- Year-round motorcycle permit — $30. Motorcycle, 12 months Details
- One-day group permit — $5. Group vehicles, one day Details
From the Minnesota state guide. Confirm which passes this park accepts.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Camping
- Recommended
- Booking system
- Reserve MN (US eDirect)
- Phone
- 866-857-2757
Reservations are recommended for weekends and holidays during the regular camping season.
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Camping
| Campground or site type | Sites | Hookups / features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drive-in Sites The campground has 109 drive-in sites. The majority of sites are pull-through, but some campers will need to back into certain sites.
Sites 1-20 and 42-59 are on one-way roads. These sites are note recommended for large RVs.
The park is closed during the winter months. The campground usually opens during the first full weekend of May, depending on weather conditions. | — | ShowersRVs up to The max RV length is 60 feet. Length is measured from front of tow vehicle to rear of vehicle being towed. | — |
| Pull-Through Sites All 79 pull-through sites are full-service sites with electric, water and sewer hookups. | — | Water/sewerShowers | — |
| Electric Sites The campground has 98 full-service sites with electric, water and sewer hookups. The campground also has three electric-only sites.
All electric sites have 20-, 30-and 50-amp hookups. | — | ElectricShowersRVs up to The max RV length is 60 feet. Length is measured from front of tow vehicle to rear of vehicle being towed. | — |
| Walk-in Sites The four walk-in sites have either gravel or grass tent pads and are located less than 1/4 mile from parking area. | — | Showers | — |
| Group Camp The one group campsite can accommodate 40 people. The group camp includes picnic tables, fire rings, and a vault toilet. | — | Showers | — |
Camping details from the park
Drive-in Sites: The campground has 109 drive-in sites. The majority of sites are pull-through, but some campers will need to back into certain sites.
Sites 1-20 and 42-59 are on one-way roads. These sites are note recommended for large RVs.
The park is closed during the winter months. The campground usually opens during the first full weekend of May, depending on weather conditions.
Pull-Through Sites: All 79 pull-through sites are full-service sites with electric, water and sewer hookups.
Electric Sites: The campground has 98 full-service sites with electric, water and sewer hookups. The campground also has three electric-only sites.
All electric sites have 20-, 30-and 50-amp hookups.
RV Length Limit: The max RV length is 60 feet. Length is measured from front of tow vehicle to rear of vehicle being towed.
Accessible Sites: All five accessible drive-in sites are electric with full hook-ups.
Walk-in Sites: The four walk-in sites have either gravel or grass tent pads and are located less than 1/4 mile from parking area.
Group Camp: The one group campsite can accommodate 40 people. The group camp includes picnic tables, fire rings, and a vault toilet.
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Things to do
CampingFishingBoatingWildlife viewing and birdingPicnickingHikingRanger and interpretive programs
Trails
| Trail | Length | Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accessible (summer) | 2 mi | — | 2 miles — Accessible hiking trails pass through the campground. The trails also connect to the 20+ miles of paved Greenway trail system.AccessibleAccessible |
| Paved Bike (summer) | — | — | Paved biking trails pass through the campground, continuing for 7 miles.Paved Bike |
Trail descriptions from the park
Summer — Accessible — 2 miles: Accessible hiking trails pass through the campground. The trails also connect to the 20+ miles of paved Greenway trail system.
Summer — Paved Bike: Paved biking trails pass through the campground, continuing for 7 miles.
Trail conditions: Find the most recent trail reports at greenwayggf.com.
Boating and paddling
Boat Access: Access the Red and Red Lake rivers south of the campground.
Fishing
Fishing: Fishing is available at various sites along the Red and Red Lake rivers.
A state fishing license is usually required.
Amenities
Facilities
- Restrooms
- Flush toilets
- Vault or pit toilets
- Showers
- Picnic areas
- Playground
- Nature center or museum
- Restaurant or food service
- Group facilities
Camping
- RV camping
- Electric hookups
- Water hookups
- Sewer hookups
- Group camping
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Accessibility
Accessible Sites: All five accessible drive-in sites are electric with full hook-ups.
Showers: The accessible shower building in the campground is open in summer only.
Flush Toilets: Flush toilets are available in the accessible shower building and in a separate accessible building in the campground. Flush toilets are only available in summer.
Accessible — 2 miles: Accessible hiking trails pass through the campground. The trails also connect to the 20+ miles of paved Greenway trail system.
Official accessibility information
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Getting there
- Address
- 515 2nd Street Northwest
East Grand Forks, MN 56721 - Nearest town
- East Grand Forks
- Coordinates
- 47.9308, -97.0264
- Phone
- (218) 773-4950
- redriver.statepark@state.mn.us
Google Maps directionsApple MapsOfficial park map (PDF)
Directions from the park
If traveling east on Highway 2, cross the Kennedy Bridge into East Grand Forks and take the first exit. Follow 4th Street NW to the parking lot for the Riverwalk Center mall, make a right turn and follow the avenue of flags to the park office. If traveling west, take a left turn at the intersection of Highway 2 and Highway 220 and follow DeMers Avenue to 4th Street NW. Take a right turn at 4th and then a left turn into the parking lot for the Riverwalk Center mall and follow the avenue of flags to the park office.
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- Minnesota State Parks and Trails — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026
- MN DNR A-Z list of state parks and recreation areas (park IDs in server-rendered <noscript> links) + state waysides page; details from the compass feature_detail JSON API used by park.html
- Wikidata
- USGS PAD-US 4.1 (boundary and acreage)
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology