Grand Forks is a city in northeast North Dakota and serves as the county seat of Grand Forks County within the United States. Situated on the western banks of the north-flowing Red River of the North, it lies in the flat region known as the Red River Valley, which was formed by the ancient Lake Agassiz. The city forms the center of the Grand Forks metropolitan statistical area alongside its twin city, East Grand Forks, Minnesota, often referred to collectively as Greater Grand Forks or the Grand Cities.

The area was historically an important trading post for Native Americans and later called Les Grandes Fourches by French fur traders. Steamboat captain Alexander Griggs, forced to winter there in 1870, is regarded as the father of the city and platted a community in 1875. The post office was established in 1870, and the town was officially incorporated on February 22, 1881, named for the fork of the Red River and the Red Lake River.

The cityscape features distinct neighborhoods, with downtown serving as the governmental center and gathering place for events. Historic areas include the Near Southside Historic District, designated a national historic district, and Reeves Drive, known for its historic mansions. Notable sites include the Alerus Center and Ralph Engelstad Arena, which host athletic events, while the Greater Grand Forks Greenway provides recreation space on the former floodplain.

Grand Forks offers diverse cultural venues such as the Empire Arts Center and Chester Fritz Auditorium, alongside numerous theaters and high school sports. The city hosts festivals and a farmer's market in Town Square from mid-June to mid-September. Visitors can engage in hunting and fishing, with ice fishing available in winter, while the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks men's ice hockey team plays at the Ralph Engelstad Arena.

The population was 59,166 at the 2020 census, making it the third-most populous city in the state. The economy includes higher education, defense, health care, and manufacturing, supported by Grand Forks International Airport and Grand Forks Air Force Base. Transportation access is provided by Interstate 29, US Highways 2 and 81, and Amtrak's Empire Builder, with Fargo located about an hour south.