Red River Valley: Rich in Beauty
and Agriculture
The Minnesota side of the Red River Valley stretches along the Red River across communities in northwestern Minnesota, including areas near East Grand Forks and the surrounding towns and countryside of Polk County and nearby communities. Across the river, the valley continues into North Dakota, creating a broad region known for its fertile farmland, open skies, wooded river corridors, and close-knit communities. Residents enjoy scenic surroundings, outdoor recreation, and local festivals throughout the valley's small towns. For buyers looking for more space and a quieter setting while staying within reach of Grand Forks and East Grand Forks, the Minnesota Red River Valley offers a variety of communities worth exploring.
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Live, Work & Play in the Red River Valley
Live
The Red River Valley is home to a wide variety of homes and communities, from cozy country bungalows to spacious suburban homes to large and luxurious estates surrounded by untouched natural beauty. There’s also a lot of open land waiting to be developed or planted.
Work
The Red River Valley has a strong economic foundation based in agriculture, tourism, manufacturing, and coal mining. The rich lands of the Red River Valley produce an abundance of flaxseed, canola, barley, and oats, and are also used for livestock production. Tourism is the third largest industry in the area, with almost $5 billion spent in 2010.
Play
The Red River Valley is home to many of Minnesota’s forests and lakes, as well as the river from which it takes its name. Residents enjoy camping, fishing, boating, biking miles of scenic trails, and hiking in state parks. There's no slowing down in the winter: there's also snowmobiling, ice fishing, and skiing.
Red River Valley at a Glance
Getting Around
Major Roads: I-29, Route-220, US-75
Airport: GFK Grand Forks International Airport
East Grand Forks to Moorhead/Fargo: 1 hr 20 min
EGF to Minneapolis: 4 hr 30 min
Moorhead to Minneapolis: 3 hr 30 min
Demographics
Population (East Grand Forks): 8,635
Population (Moorhead): 42,395
County (EGF): Polk
County (Moorhead): Clay
Median Home Value (EGF): $191,100
Median Home Value (Moorhead): $181,900
Red River Valley Attractions
What You'll Really Love in the Red River Valley
Take a closer look about the opportunities you'll find in this small community of big possibilities.
The Red River
The defining feature of the Red River Valley is of course the Red River, which stretches over 550 miles from its source in Breckenridge, MN to Lake Winnipeg in Manitoba. Along the way, the river offers hundred of miles of mostly tranquil water ideal for canoeing, kayaking, fishing, swimming, and boating. Some of the biggest catfish in the Midwest can be found in the Red River, as well as walleyes, northern pike, and over 70 other species of fish.
Outdoor recreation
The Red River Valley is known for its amazing outdoor recreation. In addition to boating and fishing on the river itself, there are over 20+ miles of hiking and biking trails at Red River State Recreation Area. The park also features campgrounds, picnic areas, and boat access to the River. Near Fargo, Buffalo River State Park features unique hiking trails through prairie ecosystems, plus swimming and camping around the Buffalo River.
Things to do
The Red River Valley's many towns offer boutique shopping, art galleries, and dining of all kinds. Several host major music festivals, theater performances, and cultural events throughout the year, too.
Visit Heritage Village in East Grand Forks to experience 1800s life in a reconstructed village, or to watch live demos and competitions on Heritage Days. Take a trip south to the artsy college town of Moorhead, located on the Minnesota side of Fargo. Or head out to Valley Golf Course to spend a day out on the fairways.
FAQs About Living in Red River Valley, MN
1. What cities are in the Red River Valley of Minnesota?
The Minnesota side of the Red River Valley includes East Grand Forks and communities throughout northwestern Minnesota, extending south toward areas such as Crookston and Moorhead. For buyers searching near Grand Forks, East Grand Forks and surrounding communities in Polk County are among the closest options across the Red River.
2. Is the Red River Valley a good place to buy a home?
The Red River Valley offers a mix of small-town communities, rural properties, established neighborhoods, and homes with more land. Buyers may be drawn to the area for its open spaces, outdoor recreation, agricultural landscape, and convenient access to larger communities such as Grand Forks and East Grand Forks.
3. Can I search Minnesota homes near Grand Forks?
Yes. Buyers can search for homes in East Grand Forks and other Minnesota communities within the Red River Valley while staying close to Grand Forks. RE/MAX Grand can help buyers compare available properties, locations, commute considerations, and different community options throughout the region.
4. Does RE/MAX Grand serve both North Dakota and Minnesota?
RE/MAX Grand helps buyers and sellers throughout the greater Grand Forks and Red River Valley region, including communities on both the North Dakota and Minnesota sides of the Red River. The website provides dedicated resources for both the Minnesota Red River Valley and North Dakota Red River Valley.
5. How close is the Minnesota Red River Valley to Grand Forks?
East Grand Forks sits directly across the Red River from Grand Forks, making the two cities part of the same broader metro area. Other Minnesota communities throughout the valley offer a range of commute times and more rural settings while keeping Grand Forks within reach.
Ready to Find Home in the Red River Valley?
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