With all the craziness of life, sometimes it’s nice to get out into the peaceful setting of nature and relax. There’s no better place to do that in the Peace Garden State than Turtle River State Park. This incredibly picturesque and quiet state park in North Dakota has miles of trails to meander on, the calming sound of the river, and plenty of ways to spend an afternoon or an entire weekend having fun. If you’re looking for a little mental getaway, try a visit here:

Picture this: sparkling river water, lush green forest, the sound of birds chirping and a light breeze going by. Sounds like paradise, right? That’s a typical day at Turtle River State Park, a North Dakota hidden gem.

NDPRD/Flickr

The park is located near Grand Forks and has 775 acres of forest that surrounds the winding Turtle River. It was established in 1934 and the buildings within it were mostly built by the Civilian Conservation Corps.

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There are more than 10 miles of gorgeous trails. They’ll take you through the trees, along the river, and even over bridges. They’re perfect for a daily stroll or a hike to ease the mind.

NDPRD/Flickr

One of the best features of the park is the waterfall. The rushing water of the river falls down a U-shaped dam and it’s both stunning and calming to sit near.

Kathy F/Google

The water continues on down the Turtle River. Fishers will love this place as well as wildlife and bird watchers. And yes, there are plenty of turtles to be seen here!

Prashnat Singh/Google

For a fun family outing, there are picnic shelters, a playground, cabins, and nearly 100 campsites - both primitive and modern.

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The park even has an amphitheater for events and a visitor’s center to get information or rentals from.

NDPRD/Flickr

Turtle River State Park can be visited year-round, and it’s gorgeous no matter the season. If you haven’t experienced it before, add it to your bucket list!

NDPRD/Flickr

Turtle River State Park is located in Arvilla, North Dakota, west of Grand Forks off of US-2. You can find more information about this park by clicking here.

NDPRD/Flickr

Kathy F/Google

Prashnat Singh/Google

Where is your favorite place to unwind in North Dakota? Nominate your favorite here and be sure to check out these great ideas of relaxing places in ND you might not have heard of before.

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Address: Turtle River State Park, 3084 Park Ave NE, Arvilla, ND 58214, USA