Buffalo River State Park Campground serves as the primary camping destination near Glyndon, Minnesota, located in Clay County with elevations around 900 feet above sea level. The surrounding landscape features a mix of tallgrass prairie remnants and wooded riverbanks along the Buffalo River. Winter temperatures regularly drop below zero degrees Fahrenheit, while summer camping season typically runs from May through September with occasional thunderstorms.
What to do
Prairie hiking trails: Buffalo River State Park offers several miles of hiking with unique ecosystem exploration opportunities. Patrick M. notes the versatility of the trail system, writing that "Several looping hiking trails start in and around the campground, so you can put together a hike from 15 minutes to two hours. Ours was about an hour, half in the prairie and half along the river."
River access exploration: The Buffalo River provides opportunities for wading and nature observation, though it requires some walking to reach. According to Delanie J., "The river access requires a .5 mile walk and there really isn't much to do or anything unique to see," suggesting visitors should plan accordingly if river activities are a priority.
Camping near Fargo attractions: Lindenwood Campground provides convenient access to Fargo's urban attractions. Tucker B. explains it's "Convenient for exploring Fargo. Super friendly staff and a nice spot right along the Red River. Great for families too because it is right in the middle of a city park!"
North Country Trail hiking: The Sheyenne Grasslands section of this national scenic trail offers unique hiking terrain. Rachel O. reports that Jorgen's Hollow Campground provides "Great access to the NCT. Great signage. Well kept. I enjoyed my stay here."
What campers like
Clean, modern facilities: The washroom facilities at Buffalo River State Park receive consistent praise. According to StaceeQ Q., the park maintains exceptional standards: "The restrooms clean and well stocked. You don't have a pothole in site- heck not even a weed on the road."
Well-maintained campground: Buffalo River State Park Campground impresses visitors with its upkeep. Patrick M. describes it as a "Spectacularly well-maintained campground along the Buffalo River in western Minnesota, half an hour east of Fargo, ND. Two small loops of campsites, one with electrical service and the other without."
Small-town camping options: Hendrum Community Park offers affordable full-hookup camping in a quieter setting. Amurican L. writes, "We found this site Googling free campsites. It is not free it is $15 a night with full hookups! 50amps! My wife and I were so happy to find this place tucked away in the town of Hendrum, MN."
Site privacy options: Finding secluded sites is possible at certain campgrounds. Levi S. notes about Maplewood State Park Campground: "Stayed at knoll loop. I enjoyed the privacy of these sites. Road in is a little rough. The showers are at the main campground with plenty of parking."
What you should know
Insect preparation: Mosquitoes can be intense during summer months. Sophia P. warns about Buffalo River: "The campsite was spacious and nicely kept. There was a water filling station and toilets and showers near by. It was great. To s of mosquitos though make sure you have spray."
Highway noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience road noise that might affect light sleepers. Susan M. cautions about Lindenwood Campground: "It's like sleeping under a highway. Lindenwood is a pretty park but you are right off of 94 and the bridge that crosses the Red River from Minnesota to North Dakota. All we heard were cars and trucks all night long."
Varying site quality: Not all sites within a campground offer equal amenities or privacy. Ross B. notes about Lindenwood: "Some lots are better than others... Would recommend staying in the B lot, spots are spaced apart more, facing the river, and are further away from the Interstate."
Water quality concerns: At some rural campgrounds, water may require filtering. Art S. mentioned about Jorgen's Hollow: "You might consider bringing your own water - the water from the pump has particulates in it."
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and recreation areas: Several campgrounds feature play equipment for children. Amy K. recommends, "2 great playgrounds nearby for the kiddos" at Lindenwood Campground, adding that "We were on site B9 and it was spacious."
Swimming opportunities: Long Lake Campsite-RV Resort offers excellent water recreation for families. Shari M. notes, "I'm giving this a 4 because it has a long strip of a beach but spaces are close. Lots of boats on the beach! Fairly clean."
Wildlife viewing with kids: The natural prairie setting provides wildlife observation opportunities. Brianna V. shares, "We often take our dog here on the weekends for longer, out of city limits walks. The trails are the perfect amount for that purpose and he enjoys the wildlife that hides in the natural prairie fauna."
Pet-friendly facilities: Most campgrounds welcome pets with appropriate restrictions. Kelly C. confirms Buffalo River is "Dog friendly, and really nice camp host," making it suitable for family camping with pets.
Tips from RVers
Full hookup options: Country Campground offers comprehensive RV facilities with clean surroundings. Marilyn describes, "Green grass on our site while the table sits on a concrete slab. Gravel for 5th wheel and truck to sit on. Beautiful mature trees providing shade. Well trimmed so no worries of tearing the awning."
Site selection for privacy: RVers recommend choosing sites carefully for maximum space. Jaci D. notes about Wagner Park: "Nice quiet campground. For spots with electric, sewer and water you need to reserve online ahead of time. All primitive sites are honor system pay at box by entrance of campground."
Seasonal considerations: The camping season in the Glyndon area is relatively short. Campgrounds like Buffalo River State Park typically operate from April to November, with most visitors concentrated between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends.
Internet connectivity: Some campgrounds offer surprisingly good connectivity for remote workers. Lee G. reports about Long Lake Campsite: "We stayed here for an entire week and felt very welcomed. We also worked full time from a spot by the main office and their onsite WiFi was pretty fast ~50/10 mbps."
