View more places in North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota sits at the crossroads of the Red River of the North and the English Coulee, directly across the river from East Grand Forks, Minnesota. With a metro population of approximately 100,000, it is the third-largest city in North Dakota and the economic hub of the surrounding region. The city blends a strong sense of community with an unexpected cultural richness, driven in large part by the University of North Dakota and the presence of Grand Forks Air Force Base.
Founded as a frontier trading post in the 1870s, Grand Forks has grown into a city where wide-open skies meet vibrant downtown streets, where the river valley draws outdoor enthusiasts, and where a surprising array of museums, theaters, and festivals reflect the creativity of its residents. Its position near the Red River Valley makes it both an agricultural center and a gateway to outdoor recreation across the northern plains.
The story of Grand Forks begins with the Red River Valley, a flat, fertile plain carved by glacial Lake Agassiz thousands of years ago. Indigenous peoples, including the Dakota and Ojibwe nations, used the river as a major travel and trade corridor long before European-American settlement arrived.
European-American presence in the area grew after the Red River Trails connected the Red River Settlement in present-day Manitoba to the steamboats of St. Paul in the 1840s and 1850s. Grand Forks itself was established as a settlement around 1870, when a handful of families built log homes near the confluence of the Red River and English Coulee. The settlement was named for the “forks” where the two waterways met.
The arrival of the Great Northern Railway in 1880 transformed Grand Forks from a small frontier settlement into a regional commercial center. The railroad brought settlers, goods, and connection to larger markets, and Grand Forks was incorporated as a city in 1881. By the 1890s, it had become the largest city in North Dakota, a title it would eventually yield to Bismarck and Fargo.
The University of North Dakota, established in 1883, has been central to the city’s identity for over a century. Today it is the largest university in the state, and its presence brings youth, energy, and academic programs that have shaped Grand Forks’s character. The Grand Forks Air Force Base, established in 1955, added a military dimension to the local economy and remains an important employer.
The devastating Red River flood of 1997 tested the community but also catalyzed a remarkable rebuilding effort. The flood, which crested at 54 feet and inundated thousands of homes, led to the construction of an ambitious flood protection system and a renewed urban planning vision. The community’s response to the flood became a case study in American resilience and civic engagement.
The Greater Grand Forks area offers a surprising range of attractions for a city of its size, from riverfront green spaces to unique cultural institutions.
The Red River State Recreation Area occupies the banks of the Red River just south of downtown, offering paved trails, fishing Access points, and scenic overlooks. The adjacent Japanese Garden at the Grand Forks Park is a meticulously landscaped traditional garden featuring koi ponds, a tea house, cherry trees, and a peaceful atmosphere that draws visitors year-round. It stands as a symbol of Grand Forks’s sister city relationship with a Japanese community and is particularly stunning in late spring when the lilacs bloom.
The North Dakota Museum of Art, located on the University of North Dakota campus, is the state’s only statewide museum and houses an impressive permanent collection alongside rotating exhibitions of contemporary and indigenous art. The museum building itself is a work of art, constructed to harmonize with the prairie landscape. Its Art in the Park summer series brings outdoor sculptures to the university grounds.
The Ralph F. Schlesinger Bell Tower, a 10-bell carillon tower on the UND campus, offers free concerts and spectacular views of the surrounding valley. The adjacent Museum of Natural History provides exhibits on North Dakota’s geology, paleontology, and indigenous wildlife.
For aviation enthusiasts, the Grand Forks Air Force Base Heritage Museum documents the history of the base and the role of air power in the northern plains. The base itself has been central to the community since the Cold War era, and its Runway Alert Collision Avoidance System and drone operations continue that legacy today.
Grand Forks experiences the full range of a northern plains climate, with warm summers and bitterly cold winters that are not for the faint of heart. Choosing the right season is key to enjoying your visit.
Summer, from June through August, brings the most pleasant temperatures, ranging from the 60s to the low 80s Fahrenheit. This is the best time for outdoor activities along the Red River, visiting the Japanese Garden in full bloom, and attending the city’s numerous festivals. The Grand Forks Herald sponsors summer concert series and the community’s parks fill with joggers, cyclists, and families enjoying the extended daylight hours that stretch late into the evening near the summer solstice.
Fall arrives dramatically in September and October, with temperatures dropping into the 40s and 50s and the surrounding farmland turning gold and amber. This is a beautiful time for drives through the Red River Valley, and the harvest season brings local farm stands and agricultural festivals celebrating the region’s farming heritage.
Winter, from November through March, is harsh, with temperatures frequently below zero and significant snowfall. However, winter visitors are rewarded with a peaceful, uncrowded city and low hotel rates. The community embraces the cold with indoor attractions including the university museum system and the downtown dining scene.
Spring arrives slowly in April and May, with the river ice typically breaking up in late March or early April. Spring flooding is a concern some years, but the city’s modern flood protection system has greatly reduced risks. May is one of the most beautiful months, with the trees leafing out and temperatures finally warming into the 60s.
Here are some of our recommended things to do near Grand Forks. Select what you would like to do!
The Japanese Gardens at Sertoma Park stands as the only traditional Japanese garden in North Dakota, offering visitors a serene and contemplative escape in the heart of Grand Forks. This meticulously designed garden was gifted to the city by Awano,…