camping Archives - KVRR Local News

Walsh County Bans Camping at the Matejcek Dam

Authorities say they didn't want to take this step, but felt they had no other choice given locals' safety concerns.

July 3, 2025

Gabriel Ostler,

WALSH COUNTY, N.D. (KVRR) – Walsh County Commissioner Kristi Brintnell lives just miles from the Matejcek Dam. She says that for ages, people used the informal campsite overlooking the water as a place to enjoy the beauty of nature for a few nights. Now, though, people are staying for months at a time. That’s raised concerns about safety and cleanliness…

Ordinance Prohibiting Camping on Public Property Passes Fargo City Commission

Commission Also Talks About The Arbors

September 3, 2024

TJ Nelson,

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — Fargo city leaders have adopted an ordinance prohibiting camping on public property, but there was some dispute over a resolution to the ordinance. It includes several new priority enforcement areas and the intention to implement Housing First, a short-term solution that will precede the comprehensive long-term Housing First strategy. The vote was three to two in…

Concerns grow over homeless camps in Fargo

July 8, 2024

Alison Voorhees,

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — People speak up at Fargo’s City Commission meeting over concerns of homeless camps growing in popularity along the river. The commission is considering an ordinance and have looked into the legality in their discussions. The Supreme Court determined it is not cruel and unusual punishment to not allow camping on public property. Commissioner Dave Piepkorn says…

WE Fest Lands Wallen, Paisley and Brown as 2023 Headliners

September 27, 2022

TJ Nelson,

DETROIT LAKES, Minn. (KVRR) — The annual country music concert and camping festival known as WE Fest has landed it’s next three headliners. Morgan Wallen, Brad Paisley and Kane Brown will all headline a night during the festival from August 3-5, 2023 at the Soo Pass Ranch in Detroit Lakes. Brothers Osborne was also announced. A press release says fans can…

WE Fest Ends With Tickets On Sale For Next Year’s Big Acts

August 8, 2021

TJ Nelson,

DETROIT LAKES, Minn. — Thousands of country music fans are now back home after attending the return of WE Fest in Detroit Lakes. Blake Shelton was the headliner Saturday night bringing his many hits to a large crowd. The three day music and camping festival is one of the largest in the entire country. Each night, WE Fest organizers announcing…

Social Distancing: Snagging Coveted Camping Spots

If You Wait, You Might Not Get In To Popular Campgrounds

May 4, 2021

Site Staff,

We discovered the Park Rapids area in Tuesday’s show. It’s the gateway to Itasca State Park, one of the most beautiful and most popular spots in our region. It’s the birthplace of the Mississippi River! Of course people are going to want to hang out there. But if you’re looking for some socially distanced fun this summer, I’ve got some…

Car camping workshop provides helpful tips on enduring the outdoors

"The car camping route is going to make outdoors accessible for more people and that's why I really think it's going to become more and more popular."

January 16, 2021

Aaron Walling,

MOORHEAD. N.D. — One local business is helping community members stay warm, comfy and cozy while spending prolonged periods of time inside their cars. Nature of the North welcomed campers to a virtual workshop on how to survive the outdoors in your car. The class included tips such as covering car windows and doors with good insulation like wool blankets…

North Dakota reports record camping numbers amid pandemic

November 30, 2020

Jim Monk,

BISMARCK, N.D. – North Dakota’s 13 state parks have hit record camping numbers during the coronavirus pandemic. The state’s Parks and Recreation Department reported a 35% increase in campsite nights from May 1-Oct. 31 compared to the same period in 2019. Camping boomed in September and October over 2019. Annual park pass sales were up 18% this year from 2019….

Social Distancing: Vacation Time

Plus, the show goes on when a theater group performs shows for the public from a balcony

July 28, 2020

Site Staff,

I just got back from a mini vacation. My original plan were blown up by the pandemic, so I tried to come up with a socially distanced vacation. So my girlfriend and I went camping in Northern Minnesota. It checked off all the social distancing boxes. Outdoors! Lots of space! Thunderstorms! Mother Nature sure didn’t make it easy on…

Social Distancing: Setting Up Camp

Leisure time takes a lot more thought than it used to during the pandemic

July 20, 2020

Site Staff,

Leisure time takes a lot more thought than it used to during the pandemic. I’ve been trying to plan a socially distanced vacation, and I settled on camping. Over the weekend I tested out my new tent to make sure there aren’t any surprises when we get to our campsite. It’s kind of amazing they fit everything for the…