Things to Do & See:
Recreation:
Activities
Bicycle Routes
We offer more than 43 miles of bicycle trails, with new additions every year. The Rural Bicycle Loop is a 100-mile paved route beginning and ending in Grand Forks, including Highway 2 and the cities of Mekinock, Emerado and Mayville. The North Star Trail, planted in the thick woods of Turtle River State Park, is a 10- mile scenic loop that combines rolling hills, flatlands and stream crossings.
Butterfly Garden & Native Prairie Grassland
Jerry Wenzel is a seventh grade science teacher at East Grand Forks Central Middle School. Along with restoring to native prairie a 30-acre site next to the school, he (along with Vince Ames) developed a 25,000 square foot butterfly garden. The garden is designed to attract all types of butterflies and the native prairie site features a variety of different grasses and wild flowers and is great for bird-watching. Both are also used as outdoor classrooms for Jerry's life science classes. However, the public is welcome to come and visit and if contacted beforehand, a tour can even be set up.
Address:Central Middle School1827 Bygland Road East Grand Forks, MN Phone: (218) 773-9271 Visit The Website Cross Country Skiing
With more than eight miles of groomed ski trails to explore, you can delight in our winter wonderland. Trails are located at Lincoln Park and run along the Red River. Turtle River State Park also offers a variety of groomed classical and skating style trails. Ski rentals are available at Scheels Sports Store 701-780-9424, the Ski and Bike Shop 701-772-5567 and the UND Lifetime Sports Center 701- 777-3981.
Hunting
North Dakota and Minnesota rank among the greatest hunting areas in the country. Whether you re after white-tailed deer, waterfowl, antelope, moose, coyote or prairie dogs, a short drive from the Grand Cities will get you to prime hunting areas. For information, contact the ND Game and Fish Dept. at 701- 328-6300 or MN DNR at 651-296-6157 or 888-MINN-DNR when calling from Minnesota.
Snowmobiling
Numerous trail systems stretch across eastern North Dakota and western Minnesota. Pick up local trail maps with detailed routes at the Convention and Visitors Bureau. For trail conditions, call 1-800-HELLO-ND. www.snowmobilend.com
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Birding
With more than 300 species, the Grand Cities are an ideal base for a birding trip through the Red River Valley. Birding can be enjoyed year round. Nearby prairies offer chances to see native grassland species, including the greater prairie chicken, the gray partridge and the short-eared owl. Winter birding offers its own charm with species that include the snowy owl, snow buntings and the common redpoll. Birding sites include Turtle River State Park, Kellys Slough National Wildlife Refuge, Prairie Chicken Management Area and OakVille Prairie. For more information, call the Convention and Visitors Bureau at 800-866-4566 or stop in to pick up a field checklist.
Canoeing
Canoeists on the Red River travel through the heart of the Valley. The 304-mile Red River passes through bountiful farmland checkered with bottomland forest and tall grass prairies. Canoe and equipment rentals are available through the University of North Dakota Lifetime Sports Center at 701-777-3981.
Fishing
The Valley is internationally known for its trophy-sized channel catfish. The river and its tributaries possess a high-quality fishery in which research crews have documented more than 50 species, including channel catfish, northern pike, sauger, walleye, small mouth bass, lake sturgeon and carp. Nearby hot spots include the Red Lake River and Turtle River State Park. Contact the Convention and Visitors Bureau at 800-866-4566 for more information.
Rock Climbing
The Northern Heights Rock Gym offers routes up to 30 feet long, aretes, dihedrals, laybacks, cracks, faces and overhangs, bouldering and top rope climbs, a Rapid Fire wall and auto-belay walls. Call 701-795-5085.
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