When planning a stay in Thief River Falls around your interests, you can explore river trails, wooded trails, and winter activities. The River Walk follows two rivers; other local activities include biking, fishing, and kayaking. In winter, options include cross-country ski trails, snowmobile trails, and public recreational ice skating.
River Trails and Wooded Trails
The seven-mile River Walk is a scenic route along the Red Lake River and the Thief River. It passes through nine parks and three wooded trails. Those interested in the river landscape will also find 15 picture panels along the way, showing what the views along the rivers looked like many years ago. The panels connect the walk with a look at the area as it once was, while the route itself follows the rivers as they are today.
Another wooded trail area is the Greenwood Trails Recreation Area. The area covers 48 acres and is located along the Red Lake River and Greenwood Street. It is also home to regularly groomed cross-country ski trails. The River Walk and Greenwood Trails Recreation Area offer different ways to enjoy outdoor activities: a long route through parks and wooded trails on the one hand, and a wooded recreation area with ski trails on the other.
Thief River Falls has paved multi-use trails, unpaved trails, and shared bike lanes for cycling. These different types of routes offer another way to explore the city. Which ones fit your plans depends on whether you would rather include multi-use trails, unpaved routes, or shared lanes.
Winter Trails and Ice
There are several different activities in winter, too. The cross-country ski trails at the Greenwood Trails Recreation Area are groomed regularly. More than 500 miles of groomed trails for snowmobiling are accessible from Thief River Falls, and five snowmobile trails lead out of the city. The trails in the recreation area and the wider snowmobile trail network offer different ways to spend time outdoors in winter.
If you prefer to stay on the ice, public recreational ice skating is available at Ralph Engelstad Arena. Together, ski trails, snowmobile trails, and ice skating add three distinct winter options to the river-related activities. Before making plans, check specific event or tour dates if your trip depends on a particular date.
On the Water and the Birding Trail
Fishing on the Red Lake River is possible by wading, from a float tube, from a canoe, or from the shore. There are also two boat launches on the Red Lake River within the city limits. Kayaking is another outdoor activity in Thief River Falls. The different fishing options describe various ways to access the river; the boat launches are a separate part of the city’s river access.
Thief River Falls is on the Pine to Prairie Birding Trail, Minnesota’s first birding trail to connect with Manitoba as part of an international birding trail. This offers a distinct focus alongside the trails by the water: while the River Walk explores the river landscape, the birding trail turns attention to birdwatching along a route that extends across the connection with Manitoba.
Walking Tour and Dates
The free, 60-minute guided “Footsteps Through History” walking tour visits various areas of downtown Thief River Falls. If you are interested in history, you can plan it as an additional activity alongside the trails and nature offerings; check the available dates in advance.
Thief River Falls hosts the Fourth of July Boat Parade every year. The date listed for 2027 is July 1; check the event details before your trip. The walking tour and the parade offer different experiences: one takes you through downtown, while the other is a recurring event.
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