Moorhead camping options span Minnesota's border with North Dakota, situated where the Red River Valley creates a flat terrain with seasonal weather variations. Summer temperatures average between 70-85°F with high humidity from June through August, while spring camping sometimes contends with river flooding in low-lying areas. Campgrounds operate primarily May through October with most closing after the first frost.
What to do
Fishing access at Long Lake: This Detroit Lakes area offers good fishing opportunities with a waterfront location about 45 miles east of Moorhead. "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," notes a camper at Long Lake Campsite-RV Resort.
Prairie hiking trails: Jorgen's Hollow Campground provides direct access to the North Country Trail through grassland terrain. "The North Country Trail goes right through camp. Hike (or ride your horse) it into the grasslands or the other way to join more trails," writes a reviewer who appreciated the Jorgen's Hollow Campground trail system.
Wildlife viewing: The natural prairie ecosystem supports diverse bird watching, particularly at dawn. "Lots of woodpeckers to see and coyotes calling at dusk. Sheyenne river nearby," mentions a visitor about their experience at Jorgen's Hollow Campground.
Vineyard tours: Camp near grape vines at Red Trail Vineyard RV Park, where sites back up to growing fields. "The grapes growing next to us was a nice view to wake up to," states one reviewer who found the agricultural setting unique to Red Trail Vineyard RV Park.
What campers like
Beach swimming: Long Lake offers a significant swimming area with sandy shores. "Large sandy beach and beautiful swimming area, store for convenience if forgetful, helpful and friendly staff, huge parking and play area for kids," notes a visitor who gave the facility five stars.
City park convenience: Buffalo RV Park provides walkable access to town amenities. "Nice clean city park with RV sites in back, 8 sites, wide sites with fire rings. Well maintained. No bath house but full hookup and trashcan available. 5 min walk to Old 10 Saloon, nice inside good service," writes a camper at Buffalo RV Park.
Well-maintained facilities: Buffalo River State Park stands out for its cleanliness. "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," observes a visitor at Buffalo River State Park Campground.
Stargazing opportunities: Dark skies at Jorgen's Hollow enable night sky viewing. "Great stargazing. Clean water and vault toilets. Great access to the NCT. Great signage. Well kept. I enjoyed my stay here," mentions a camper who appreciated the minimal light pollution.
What you should know
Highway noise impacts: Lindenwood Campground has noticeable interstate sound. "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. Hardly slept," cautions a reviewer at Lindenwood Campground.
Seasonal mosquito populations: Bug activity increases in summer months across most campgrounds. "Good number of mosquitoes requires bug spray, and keeping RV buttoned up, or stay inside," warns a Buffalo RV Park visitor.
Water quality varies: Hand pumps at primitive sites may contain sediment. "You might consider bringing your own water - the water from the pump has particulates in it," notes a Jorgen's Hollow camper.
Site slopes require leveling: Many RV sites near Moorhead need adjustment equipment. "I think once the trees grow in a bit, and if they get picnic tables for each site, it would be much more user friendly," suggests a Red Trail Vineyard camper about the newer facility.
Tips for camping with families
Playground proximity: Lindenwood Park offers recreational structures for children. "2 great playgrounds nearby for the kiddos. We were on site B9 and it was spacious," states a family who appreciated the built-in entertainment options.
Swimming options: Buffalo River State Park provides dedicated swimming areas for safer water play. "The swimming area is wonderful! Less chlorine than you'd ever get exposed to in a public pool and picnic table access with lots of area to picnic," mentions a day visitor.
Rental activities: Some parks offer equipment rentals to enhance outdoor experiences. "There was rental bikes and canoes which was fun for the kids, as well as fishing- only caught one catfish but was fun anyway," shares a Shooting Star RV Park and Casino visitor about recreational options.
Loop selection matters: Different camping sections offer varied experiences for families. "We were in the A lot. Our spot was pretty spacious, but a lot of the spots in this area were pretty tight. Would recommend staying in the B lot, spots are spaced apart more, facing the river," suggests a Lindenwood camper.
Tips from RVers
Site width considerations: Buffalo RV Park offers generously sized parking areas. "Spacious, easy access, level sites with convenient hookups and garbage can at each site. Open landscape, but good space between sites," notes an RV camper.
Cost variations: RV camping fees range from $25-40 throughout the region. "Price now $35 not $25," updates a recent Buffalo RV Park visitor, highlighting the importance of confirming current rates.
Reservation systems: Many Moorhead area rv sites use online booking platforms. "Clean, easy booking online, full hookups and less than 10 minutes from 94. 8 sites total," shares a Buffalo RV Park visitor, noting the convenience of digital reservations.
Loop selection for larger rigs: Certain campground sections better accommodate bigger vehicles. "There are quite a few RV sites at Shooting Star Casino in Mahnomen and they offer full hookups! We stayed at site 19, shown in the photo. Although the sites are close together, there were quite a few empty sites so we felt like it was semi-private."
