Oct 22, 2021

North Dakota is the perfect spot for anyone looking for an adrenaline rush. Whether you love the great outdoors or prefer your adventures inside, there is something for everyone, and you can find adventure all year round. Summer brings world-class biking and paddling, and during the winter, you can hike, ice skate, sled, or ski. Here’s a look at some things to do in and around Fargo when you’re feeling adventurous.

Hiking

You can find all kinds of hiking trails near Fargo, with many more if you feel like taking a short drive. Whether you’re looking for a challenge that will take you out for the day or something quick and easy, Fargo and the surrounding areas have the trail that you’re looking for. Some of the local favorites include:

Red River Trail

The Red River Trail at Lindenwood Park runs for just under five miles. It’s an out-and-back trail that features a river and lots of wildlife. It’s mainly used for nature trips and is an excellent spot for bird watching. Your dog is welcome to hike and walk with you but must be on a leash.

Pipestem Creek Trail

Head to Jamestown, North Dakota, and hike the 3-mile outside loop of the Pipestem Creek Trail. You might have to look out for mountain bikers, but it’s part of the challenge. 

Turtle River State Park

Turtle River State Park sits west of Grand Forks and is home to 10 different hiking trails of varying lengths and difficulty. Hike just one trail, or tackle a few if you want to extend your day. This park stays open all year round, with winter trails available for some added adventure once the snow comes. The Raven Ravine Trail is a 2.46-mile trail that makes its way along the creek and has a water crossing at the north end. Parts of the trail are groomed for biking on fat-tire bikes in the winter, and it’s also a good trail for winter hiking. 

Mountain Biking

Someone biking through a forest
Image via Flickr by gkmediadesign via CC BY 2.0

There’s no better adventure than cruising down a mountain trail on a bike, and you can find lots of mountain biking opportunities within a reasonable drive of Fargo and Grand Forks. The trails offer terrain designed for bikers of all levels, whether you are just getting started and need something tame, or you want to get your adrenaline rushing on an expert-level trail. Some of the mountain biking trails in the area include:

Pipestem Creek Trail

The Pipestem Creek Trail in Jamestown is just 90 minutes from Fargo and well worth the drive for a day of biking. The winding 8-mile trail has plenty of heart-pumping terrain and is home to the RM Stoudt off-road festival. If you are not up for a full eight miles, the 3-mile outside loop is a good challenge that you can do in a shorter period. The trailhead even has a bike repair station, so you can make sure you’re ready before hitting the trail.

M.B. Johnson Trail

The M.B. Johnson Trail is a singletrack trail with some obstacles to keep you entertained. It also has a good flow, so you always feel like you’re moving. It’s a 3.8-mile trail that’s great for beginners and experienced riders. 

Gooseberry Park Trail

Head to Gooseberry Park to ride 3.6 miles of winding trail that runs through the trees that surround the park. The trail is relatively flat, making it a good choice for beginners who want to gain some experience on a bike before heading out to more challenging terrain. 

Conquer Ninja Gym

Bring out your inner American Ninja Warrior at Conquer Ninja Gym. This gym provides ninja warrior training with obstacles designed for fun and exercise. This is the perfect place for kids and adults to test their strength and agility, whether they use the full-size obstacles or the smaller-scale ones for the younger kids. 

You’ll find the Fargo location at 3207 Main Avenue, Suite A. Kids who want to bring their training to the next level can join the Conquer Team. This group meets once a week to train and prepare for competitions, but you don’t have to be a kid to compete. The Conquer Ninja Competitions have races for all skill levels and ages. 

Skydive Fargo

Want the ultimate adrenaline rush? Try Skydive Fargo, which offers jumps for beginners and experienced skydivers. You’ll start with a tandem jump with an instructor to experience the feeling of free-falling with the help and support of an expert. Your first jump includes:

  • Instruction before the jump.
  • A USPA-rated instructor to jump with you.
  • A 10,000-foot free-fall.
  • A 5-7 minute canopy ride.
  • Discounts on jumps if you want to do it again within the same year.

If you want to jump on your own, you can take the Accelerated Freefall Program. The course is for those who want to become licensed skydivers and provides the training needed to take that first solo skydive. 

Sky Zone Trampoline Park

Everyone can get in on the adventure at Sky Zone Trampoline Park. The Fargo location has attractions for all ages, including freestyle jump, ultimate dodgeball, and the drop zone. The Parkour Blox attraction is perfect for practicing your parkour skills with obstacles to jump over as you train for speed, power, and strength. 

The battle beam is a popular attraction where you can joust against your friends on a narrow beam. Fight to stay on the beam while trying to knock your opponent into the foam pit. If you want to test your balance skills without an opponent, the Skyline is one of the newest attractions. It’s a narrow slackline that provides a challenge whether you want to stand on it or try to make your way  across it. 

There you have it: Our list of things to do if you’re looking for adventure in the Fargo area. Have you tried any of these? If so, we’d love to know if you enjoyed them. Have we missed your favorite place for adventure?  Drop us a line here at Rydell Cadillac of Grand Forks so we can add it to the list.