Red River State Recreation Area Group Campground

About

Red River State Recreation Area Group Campground (GC1) is located in East Grand Forks, Minnesota, at the confluence of the Red River of the North and the Red Lake River. This group camping facility accommodates up to 40 people and offers a more primitive camping experience compared to the main campground. The site includes basic amenities such as vault toilets, water access, fire rings with grills, and picnic tables at each site. The recreation area itself is a unique urban-state park built on floodplain land that was reclaimed following the devastating 1997 flood. Visitors can enjoy walking and biking trails, fishing and boating on the river, a swimming beach, fishing pier, and playground. The group campground operates seasonally from mid-May through October, making it an excellent option for scout troops, family reunions, or other organized groups looking for affordable outdoor accommodations in the Grand Forks area. Reservations are required and can be made up to 120 days in advance through the Minnesota DNR reservation system online or by phone. Note that modern restroom and shower facilities are not provided at the group campground, though they are available at the main campground nearby.

Directions

From downtown East Grand Forks, head north on 2nd Street NW for approximately 0.5 miles. The campground entrance is on the left, just past Sherlock Park.