Thief River Falls: River Trails and Nature Experiences
Accommodation in Thief River Falls
In Thief River Falls, rivers, trails, and outdoor activities shape the travel experience. The River Walk follows the Red Lake River and the Thief River, offering a scenic seven-mile route. There are also wooded trails, opportunities on the water, and winter activities. When choosing your vacation rental, first consider which of these aspects of the area will be the deciding factor for your trip.
Follow the River Walk along the river
The River Walk runs along both rivers, passing through nine parks and three wooded trails. Along the route are 15 interpretive panels showing what the views along the rivers looked like many years ago. The trail combines outdoor activity with a glimpse into how the river landscape has changed. Its seven-mile length is a useful guide if you want to plan the River Walk as a standalone outing during your stay.
Another trail area is the Greenwood Trails Recreation Area: this wooded trail system covers 48 acres and is located along the Red Lake River and Greenwood Street. Cross-country ski trails there are regularly groomed. If you visit Thief River Falls in winter, you can consider this trail area alongside the snowmobiling and ice-skating options.
Trails, birds, and activities on the water
Thief River Falls also has several types of trails for cycling: paved multi-use trails, unpaved trails, and shared bicycle lanes. If you are more interested in birdwatching, you can explore the Pine to Prairie Birding Trail. Thief River Falls is located along this trail, Minnesota’s first birding trail to connect internationally with Manitoba. These different options can help you plan your trip around the activities that interest you most.
On the Red Lake River, fishing and boat access are among the local options. You can fish from the wading area, a float tube, a canoe, or the shore. There are also two boat landings on the Red Lake River within city limits. Kayaking is another outdoor activity in Thief River Falls. If you want to center your stay around the water, these activities are a good starting point for finding the right vacation rental for your trip.
Winter days and special experiences
More than 500 miles of groomed trails are accessible from Thief River Falls for snowmobiling, and five snowmobile trails lead out of the city. Cross-country skiing and snowmobiling offer two different ways to spend time outdoors in winter. Public recreational ice skating is also available at the Ralph Engelstad Arena. The three activities differ in kind—from trails at the Greenwood Trails Recreation Area, to snowmobile routes, to the ice at the arena.
Recurring events include the annual Fourth of July Boat Parade. If you are interested in local history, you can take the free, 60-minute guided “Footsteps Through History” walking tour through various parts of downtown. Peder Engelstad Pioneer Village has seasonal opening hours from Memorial Day through Labor Day: daily from 1 to 5 p.m. This lets you combine nature and outdoor activities with a visit focused on local history or an event during the annual parade, if these experiences fit your travel plans.
For more travel ideas, you can also discover St Hilaire.
For the broader travel overview: Pennington County.
