Welcome home to Buffalo

Buffalo sits between Buffalo Lake and Lake Pulaski in Wright County, about 38 miles west-northwest of downtown Minneapolis. It is the Wright County seat. Highway 55 runs east–west through the south side of the city, and Highway 25 runs north–south past downtown and the lakeshore. Downtown, along Central Avenue and Division Street, sits right on the east shore of Buffalo Lake.

• Sturges Park on Buffalo Lake
  The city's signature lakefront park, with a swimming beach, fishing pier, boat landing, bandshell, and a paved path that follows the shore past downtown.
  505 2nd Ave S
  MapCity page
• Two lakes in town
  Buffalo Lake borders downtown, and Lake Pulaski lies along the city's northeast side. Both are used for boating, paddling, and fishing.
  MapDNR LakeFinder
• Buffalo Days
  The city's summer festival each June, hosted by the Buffalo Area Chamber of Commerce: a carnival at Sturges Park, a parade, and fireworks over Buffalo Lake.
  Chamber

Local history

The Dakota had a summer village between the two lakes long before Euro-American settlement. A fur trader claimed the townsite in 1850, and Buffalo was platted by 1856. The name comes from the lake, which early settlers found full of buffalo fish, a native bottom-feeding fish, rather than the animal. The town stayed small at first, and many early claims were abandoned between 1858 and 1860.

The Wright County seat moved from Monticello to Buffalo in 1867. The Soo Line railroad arrived in 1887, and downtown shifted to its present lakefront location around that time. In the early 1900s the town grew on lake resorts, a flour mill and creamery, county offices, and rail service. The Wright County Historical Society's Heritage Center in Buffalo keeps the county's museum, archives, and historic buildings, including log cabins and an 1881 one-room school.

Most everyday shopping is along Highway 55 on the south side of town and Highway 25 north of downtown.

• Cub Foods
  Full grocery store with pharmacy.
  1008 Hwy 55 E · 763-682-4940
  Map
• Coborn's
  Full grocery store with pharmacy.
  630 Ryan's Way · 763-298-3340
  Map
• Target
  General merchandise and groceries, with a CVS Pharmacy inside.
  1300 Hwy 55 NE · 763-682-4996
  Map
• Walmart
  General merchandise, groceries, and pharmacy.
  1315 Hwy 25 N · 763-682-2958
  Map
• Menards
  Home improvement, lumber, and garden supplies.
  1415 County Road 134
  Map

Locally owned spots, with several on Division Street downtown, a block from Buffalo Lake.

• Buffalo Books and Coffee
  Coffee and a bookstore downtown.
  6 Division St E · 763-682-3147
  Map
• Forget Me Not Cafe
  Cafe downtown.
  22 Division St E · 763-276-1977
  Map
• What's the Scoop?
  Ice cream and treats downtown.
  18 Division St E · 763-777-9166
  Map
• Thirsty Buffalo Saloon
  Bar and grill.
  904 Commercial Dr · 763-682-5806
  Map
• La Catrina Restaurante & Bar
  Mexican restaurant and bar.
  1006 Commercial Dr, Suite A · 763-267-7757
  Map
• Endee Gathering Hall
  Gathering hall and eatery.
  1006 Commercial Dr · 763-900-3437
  Map
• Mill Creek Inn
  Restaurant and bar west of town on County Road 35.
  891 County Rd 35 W · 763-682-9936
  Map
• Buffalo Rock Winery
  Local winery south of town.
  4527 23rd St SE · 763-682-9463
  Map

Buffalo is served by Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose Schools (ISD 877). The district also has elementary schools in Hanover and Montrose. School assignment depends on your exact address; confirm it with the district before you enroll.

Elementary schools (K–5) in Buffalo

• Discovery Elementary
  301 2nd Ave NE · 763-682-8400
  Map
• Northwinds Elementary
  1111 7th Ave NW · 763-682-8800
  Map
• Parkside Elementary
  207 3rd St NE · 763-682-8500
  Map
• Tatanka Elementary STEM School
  703 8th St NE · 763-682-8600
  Map

Middle and high school

• Buffalo Community Middle School
  Grades 6–8.
  1300 Hwy 25 N · 763-682-8200
  Map
• Buffalo High School
  Grades 9–12.
  877 Bison Blvd · 763-682-8100
  Map

Alternative, online, and technical programs

• Phoenix Learning Center
  District alternative high school.
  877 Bison Blvd · 763-682-8102
  Map
• Bison Online
  District online high school.
  877 Bison Blvd · 763-682-8100
  District site
• Wright Technical Center
  Cooperative technical high school serving area districts.
  1405 3rd Ave NE · 763-684-2200
  Map

Public charter school

• Terra Nova School
  Grades 6–12.
  1705 Hwy 25 N · 952-852-0129
  Map

Private schools

• Impact Christian Academy
  Grades K–8.
  1601 Hwy 25 N · 612-812-7301
  Map
• St. Francis Xavier School
  Preschool through grade 8.
  219 19th St NW · 763-489-9200
  MapSchool site

District links and family resources

• District Office: 214 1st Ave NE · 763-682-8700 · bhmschools.org
• Enroll at BHM Schools · District boundary maps · Find your school district by address
• Minnesota Report Card has official enrollment and program data for every Minnesota public school.
• BHM Community Education: classes and youth activities for all ages, 301 2nd Ave NE · 763-682-8770.
• Buffalo Civic Center: two indoor ice sheets and an outdoor rink for skating and hockey. City page
• Great River Regional Library – Buffalo runs story times and youth programs. See Libraries.

Licensed child care centers and preschools

• Kid's Haven Child Care and Preschool
  302 12th Ave S · 763-682-3072
  Map
• Lil' Explorers Childcare Center
  Ages 6 weeks to 5 years.
  705 Hwy 55
  MapCenter page
• Noah's Ark Preschool
  763-682-1883
• St. Francis Xavier Child Development Center
  763-684-0075
• TeddyBear Treehouse Learning Center
  763-592-9142
• Wright County Community Action Head Start – Buffalo
  Free preschool for families who qualify.
  763-682-1862

District programs (BHM Community Education)

• Bison Preschool
  Preschool classes taught by licensed teachers.
  763-682-8770
  Preschool info
• KidKare school-age care
  Before and after school, early-release, non-school-day, and summer care for ages 3–12, 6 a.m.–6 p.m. weekdays, at Northwinds, Parkside, and Tatanka in Buffalo (plus Hanover and Montrose).
  763-682-8787
  KidKare
• Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) and screening
  Parent-and-child classes, plus the free early childhood screening required before kindergarten.
  763-682-8780
  ECFE

Buffalo's library is part of Great River Regional Library (GRRL). One free card works at all GRRL branches, and you can place holds for pickup in Buffalo.

• Great River Regional Library – Buffalo
  Downtown, a block from Buffalo Lake.
  18 NW Lake Blvd · 763-682-2753
  MapHours
• GRRL – Rockford
  8220 Cedar St, Rockford · 763-477-4216
  Map
• GRRL – Monticello
  200 W 6th St, Monticello · 763-295-2322
  Map
• GRRL – Delano
  160 Railroad Ave E, Delano · 763-972-3467
  Map
• GRRL – St. Michael
  11800 Town Center Dr NE, St. Michael · 763-497-1998
  Map
• GRRL – Annandale
  30 Cedar St E, Annandale · 320-274-8448
  Map

The city lists 32 parks, from small neighborhood parks to three regional parks: Sturges, Bentfield Mills, and Griffing. City recreation also includes a dog park, disc golf, a skate park, a bike skills park, and boat and bike rentals.

• Sturges Park
  Swimming beach, fishing pier, boat landing, boat rentals, bandshell, and play areas. A paved path runs along Buffalo Lake past downtown and connects to the trail on the north shore. Open 6 a.m.–10 p.m.
  505 2nd Ave S
  MapCity page
• Gary Mattson Park
  On the northwest shore of Buffalo Lake along County Road 35. Home of the city dog park.
  MapCity page
• West Pulaski Park and Pulaski Ponds Park
  Parks on the Lake Pulaski side of town.
  Map
• Bentfield Mills and Griffing Parks
  Two of the city's regional parks.
  Map
• Downtown Commons and splash pad
  Downtown gathering space used for community events.
  Map

• Gary Mattson Park Dog Park
  Off-leash area on the northwest shore of Buffalo Lake (County Road 35). Open 6 a.m.–10 p.m. Dogs must have proof of rabies vaccination; review the posted rules. Questions: Parks & Recreation, 763-684-5429.
  MapRules

Veterinary clinics

• Buffalo Companion Animal Clinic
  Small-animal care.
  1214 Hwy 25 N, Suite 1 · 763-682-2181
  Map
• Buffalo Equine & Large Animal Clinic
  Horses and livestock.
  1214 Hwy 25 N, Suite 2 · 763-682-2225
  Map
• Crossroads Veterinary Clinic
  Veterinary clinic with an animal shelter.
  2800 10th St SE · 763-684-1234
  Map

Highways

• Highway 55 is the main route east to the Twin Cities, through Rockford, Medina, and Plymouth to I-494 and I-394.
• Highway 25 runs north to Monticello and I-94, and south to Montrose and Watertown.
• County Road 35 runs along the north and west side of Buffalo Lake.

Transit and rides

• Trailblazer Transit Dial-A-Ride
  Public bus service for all ages in Wright, McLeod, and Sibley counties, with lift-equipped vehicles. Weekdays 6:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Book at least 24 hours ahead. SMART-RIDE (24/7) is also arranged through Trailblazer for trips starting or ending in those counties.
  115 Commerce Cir · 844-743-3828
  Map
• Express bus to Minneapolis
  There is no Metro Transit route in Buffalo. Maple Grove Transit runs express buses from Maple Grove to downtown Minneapolis.
  Maple Grove TransitMetro Transit

• Northstar commuter rail ended January 4, 2026, and was replaced by bus service. Check Metro Transit for current routes.
• Buffalo Municipal Airport serves general aviation. Airport page
• Commute tip: Highway 55 slows through the signals in Rockford and Plymouth at rush hour. Check MnDOT's 511mn.org for construction and conditions.

Hospital, clinics, and urgent care

• Buffalo Hospital (Allina Health)
  24/7 emergency department. Call 911 in an emergency. An InstyMeds prescription kiosk is in the lobby.
  303 Catlin St · 763-682-1212
  MapHospital site
• Allina Health Buffalo Clinic
  Family medicine, pediatrics, and orthopedics.
  303 Catlin St, Suite 010 · 763-682-5225
  Map
• Allina Health Buffalo Crossroads Clinic
  Family medicine, weekdays.
  755 Crossroads Campus Dr · 763-684-6300
  Map
• Allina Health Urgent Care – Buffalo Crossroads
  Walk-in urgent care, open evenings and weekends. Check hours online.
  755 Crossroads Campus Dr, Suite 100 · 612-262-8890
  Map
• Stellis Health – Buffalo Clinic
  Primary and specialty care.
  1700 Hwy 25 N · 763-682-1313
  Mapstellishealth.com

Other nearby emergency departments: CentraCare – Monticello (north on Hwy 25) and Maple Grove Hospital (east on Hwy 55).

Fitness

• Fitness Evolution
  101 14th St NE · 763-682-4300
  Map
• Anytime Fitness
  600 Crossroads Campus Dr · 763-682-9999
  Map
• Forge Fitness
  120 1st St S
  Map

Dentists

• Buffalo Dental Group
  1000 Hwy 25 S · 763-682-2363
  Map
• Buffalo Family Dentistry
  106 Center Dr · 763-682-6885
  Map
• Dental Care Associates
  306 Brighton Ave S · 763-682-2572
  Map
• Hanson Dental
  1100 Hwy 25 N, #1 · 763-682-9796
  Map

Orthodontists

• Buffalo Orthodontics
  101 Marty Dr · 763-682-1000
  Map

Pharmacies

• Coborn's Pharmacy
  630 Ryan's Way
  Map
• Cub Pharmacy
  1008 Hwy 55 E
  Map
• CVS Pharmacy (inside Target)
  1300 Hwy 55 NE
  Map
• Walgreens
  Highway 25 N
  Map
• Walmart Pharmacy
  1315 Hwy 25 N
  Map

Larger stores line Highway 55 and Highway 25 north of downtown. Downtown, along Central Avenue and Division Street, has independent shops, and the Chamber runs Occasional Sales Weekends for local shops several times a year. The city operates two liquor stores: Buffalo Wine & Spirits (621 Hwy 55 E) and Downtown Wine & Spirits (122 1st St S).

Banks and credit unions with Buffalo branches

• BANKWEST
  311 10th Ave S, #3 · 763-477-5231
  Map
• CorTrust Bank
  555 Hwy 55 E · 763-682-0555
  Map
• MidCountry Bank
  305 10th Ave S · 763-682-3035
  Map
• Old National Bank
  910 Commercial Dr · 952-486-4556
  Map
• SouthPoint Financial Credit Union
  715 Crossroads Campus Dr · 763-452-2573
  Map

Home services

Need a plumber, electrician, HVAC company, home inspector, septic service, well driller, lawn care, or snow removal? Ask me. I keep a list of local trades my clients have used and can share names. The Buffalo Chamber directory also lists local businesses by category.

Services and facilities available to everyone in Buffalo. Call ahead for hours and accessibility details.

• Buffalo Area Community Center
  Activities, clubs, and rooms for use or rent, open to everyone. Programs include a walking club, games, choir, and AARP Tax-Aide. Mon–Sat 8 a.m.–8 p.m., Sun noon–6 p.m.
  114 Commerce Circle · 763-682-6036
  MapCity page
• Great River Regional Library – Buffalo
  Free Wi-Fi, computers, printing, and programs for all ages.
  18 NW Lake Blvd · 763-682-2753
  Map
• Wright County Health & Human Services
  County social services, including services for older adults and people with disabilities.
  3650 Braddock Ave NE, Suite 2100 · 763-682-7400
  Map
• Senior LinkAge Line (Minnesota Board on Aging)
  Free statewide help with in-home services, home modifications, and benefits.
  1-800-333-2433
  MinnesotaHelp.info
• Trailblazer Transit
  Lift-equipped public Dial-A-Ride for all ages. See Getting Around.
  844-743-3828
• Home energy help
  Buffalo Municipal Utilities offers efficiency rebates, and income-eligible residents may qualify for a free energy audit through the Weatherization Assistance Program. Ask Utility Billing.
  763-682-1001
• United Way 211
  Free help finding local services of all kinds.
  Dial 2-1-1

Congregations in Buffalo, listed alphabetically. Visit each one's website for service times.

• Buffalo Evangelical Free Church
  2051 50th St NE · 763-682-6846
• Buffalo Presbyterian Church
  507 County Road 134 · 763-682-2773
• Buffalo United Methodist Church
  609 8th St NW · 763-682-3538
• Church of St. Francis Xavier
  223 19th St NW · 763-684-0075
• Connection Pointe
  3477 10th St NE · 763-202-0901
• Hope Community (Assembly of God)
  206 2nd Ave NE · 763-682-4683
• Riverside Church
  1004 Commercial Dr · 763-263-2410
• St. John's Lutheran Church
  302 2nd St NE · 763-682-1883
• United Faith Community UCC
  30 1st Ave NE · 763-682-5171
• Zion Lutheran Church
  1200 Hwy 25 S · 763-682-1245

• Buffalo Days
  Mid-June, hosted by the Buffalo Area Chamber of Commerce. The week includes a fly-in breakfast and car show at the airport, a carnival and beer garden at Sturges Park, a Saturday evening parade, and fireworks over Buffalo Lake. In 2026 it ran June 14–21.
  Chamber
• Buffalo Community Orchestra concerts
  Free summer concerts at the Sturges Park bandshell. Bring a lawn chair.
  505 2nd Ave S
  Map
• Buffalo Farmers Market
  Saturdays, May through October, 8 a.m.–noon, plus a winter market on select Saturdays.
  100 1st Ave NE
  MapMarket site
• Occasional Sales Weekends
  Downtown and local shops hold coordinated sale weekends several times a year, including early November and early December.
  Chamber calendar
• Wright County Heritage Center
  County history museum, archives, and historic buildings. Tue–Fri 8–4:30, Sat 9–3.
  2001 Hwy 25 N · 763-682-7323
  Mapwrighthistory.org
• Wright County Fair
  Late July in Howard Lake, about 20 minutes west. The 2026 fair ran July 22–26.
  Map
• Wild Marsh Golf Club
  18-hole public course.
  1710 Montrose Blvd S · 763-682-4476
  Map
• Huikko's Bowling & Entertainment Center
  1207 Hwy 25 N · 763-682-4180
  Map

Most homes in Buffalo are single-family houses, and most residential land is zoned for single-family homes. The city also has two-family homes, townhomes and quadraminiums, apartment buildings, and manufactured-home communities.

Downtown and the streets around it are the oldest part of the city, laid out after the railroad arrived in the late 1800s. Newer subdivisions extend north toward Lake Pulaski and Highway 25 and south of Highway 55. Homes on Buffalo Lake and Lake Pulaski fall under shoreland rules that affect setbacks and building near the water.

Inside city limits, most homes are on city water and sewer. Lots in the surrounding townships are usually larger rural parcels with a private well and septic system. Whether a home has city utilities depends on the address; check with the city. Zoning and parcel maps are on the city's Beacon map.

• Property taxes: look up your parcel with Wright County Property Tax Search and pay through online payments. Wright County main line: 763-682-3900.
• Homestead: if you own and live in the home by December 31, apply by December 31 to get homestead treatment on next year's taxes. Apply online through the Wright County Assessor or call 763-682-7367. You don't reapply each year, but tell the Assessor within 30 days if you sell or move out.
• Special assessments are charges for public improvements, like street or utility projects, added to a property's tax bill over a set number of years. Check for pending or levied assessments on your county tax statement and with Buffalo City Offices at 763-682-1181. Special assessments vary by address.
• City utilities (electric, water, sewer, storm, and garbage) are billed together by the city. Rates are in the city's 2026 Master Fee Schedule on the garbage and recycling page. Ask your title company whether a final bill was settled at closing.
• For providers, see City Services & Utilities and Internet & Connectivity.

Utilities

• Buffalo Municipal Utilities (electric, water, sewer, storm)
  City-owned. Notify Utility Billing 1–2 weeks before move-in and submit the online start-service form. A small part of the city is served by a different electric provider; confirm for your address. After-hours outages and emergencies: same number.
  763-682-1001
  Start servicePay online
• CenterPoint Energy (natural gas)
  Natural gas provider in Buffalo. Rural homes may use propane; confirm for your address.
  612-372-4727
  centerpointenergy.com
• Gopher State One Call
  Call 811 before you dig, even for fence posts or trees.
  811
  gopherstateonecall.org

Garbage and recycling

• The city contracts with Republic Services for garbage and recycling, billed on your city utility statement. Choose cart sizes on the start-service form, or call Utility Billing at 763-682-1001 to change them.
• Pickup follows your scheduled day on the Republic Services collection calendar. After a holiday, pickup runs one day late.
• Set carts at the curb, not in the street, so they don't block plows.
• Fall leaf pickup is announced each autumn. Extra recycling and household hazardous waste: Wright County Compost & Recycling Facility, by appointment, 763-682-7338.

City offices and departments

• Buffalo City Center (City Hall)
  Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Call to confirm.
  212 Central Ave · 763-682-1181
  Mapci.buffalo.mn.us
• Permits and inspections
  Building, plumbing, mechanical, and other permits.
  763-682-1181
  Permits & Licenses
• Public works and street issues
  Potholes, streetlights, signs, and other concerns.
  Report a problem
• Snow removal
  The city posts its plowing and parking rules online. Review them before the first snowfall, and don't push snow into the street.
  Snow rulesSnow permit
• Police and fire
  Call 911 for emergencies.
  PoliceFire

Post office and county services

• Buffalo Post Office
  209 Central Ave · 763-682-2500
  Map
• Wright County Government Center
  Assessor, taxpayer services, recorder, and human services. Buffalo is the county seat.
  3650 Braddock Ave NE · 763-682-3900
  Mapwrightcountymn.gov
• Wright County License Center (DVS)
  Driver's licenses and IDs inside; tabs, plates, and DNR licenses at the drive-thru. Mon–Fri 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Walk-ins and appointments.
  3650 Braddock Ave NE, Suite 1800 · 763-682-7597
  MapLicense Center

Availability varies by address, especially on rural parcels outside city limits. Before you choose a plan, check your exact address on the FCC National Broadband Map.

• Buffalo Fiber
  The city's own fiber-optic internet service, run by Buffalo Municipal Utilities. It is being built out in phases; check your address with the city's availability tool.
  763-684-5423
  Check availability
• Cable
  Spectrum.
  spectrum.com
• DSL and fiber
  CenturyLink (DSL in many areas, fiber at some addresses).
  centurylink.com
• Fixed wireless and 5G home internet
  T-Mobile 5G Home, Verizon 5G Home, AT&T Internet Air, MINTernet, and Xtratyme.
• Satellite
  Starlink, HughesNet, and Viasat. Often the main option on rural parcels.

• Structure: Buffalo has a five-member City Council: a mayor elected every two years and four council members elected to four-year terms. City Council page
• Meetings: 7 p.m. on the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month, in the Council Chambers at Buffalo City Center, 212 Central Ave. Meetings are open to the public.
• Watch: live and on replay at buffalo.viebit.com, or on Spectrum channel 180. Agendas and minutes: Agenda Center.
• Comment: contact council members directly (contact info on the council page), call City Offices at 763-682-1181, or check the agenda for public comment rules.
• Long-range plans: Buffalo 2040 Comprehensive Plan.
• Voting: register or update your address with the Minnesota Secretary of State.

The city's 2040 Comprehensive Plan lists these as Buffalo's largest employers:

• Wright County Government Center
  County jobs
• Allina Health (Buffalo Hospital and clinics)
  Allina careers
• Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose Schools (ISD 877)
  District site
• Functional Industries

• Employment areas: the plan identifies a business and light-industrial area northwest of the Highway 55 and Highway 25 intersection, and an industrial area north of the airport.
• Regional job centers: Maple Grove and Plymouth (east on Hwy 55), Monticello (north on Hwy 25), St. Cloud (northwest via Hwy 25 and I-94), and downtown Minneapolis (east on Hwy 55).
• Job search: City of Buffalo jobs · CareerForce Minnesota.

Radon

Radon is common in Minnesota homes. Testing is simple and inexpensive. See the Minnesota Department of Health radon page.

Flooding and lakeshore

Buffalo sits between two lakes, and some lakeshore and low-lying properties may fall in a mapped floodplain or shoreland area. Floodplain status varies by address. Check the FEMA flood map and the city's Beacon map, and ask Wright County Planning & Zoning about rural parcels.

Wells and septic

If your home has a private well, test the water once a year. Septic systems need regular pumping and inspection. See MDH well information.

Check items off as you go. Your progress is saved in this browser.

Buffalo sits at the western edge of the metro, with lake country in every direction.

Lakes, parks, and getaways within about two hours

• Lake Maria State Park
  Wooded hiking trails, backpack campsites, and lakes near Monticello, to the north.
  MapDNR
• Lake Rebecca Park Reserve
  Three Rivers park east near Rockford, with paved trails, a swimming beach, and boat access.
  MapThree Rivers
• Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge
  Wildlife drive, hiking, and birding to the northeast.
  Mapfws.gov
• Lake Minnetonka
  Boating, lakeside dining, and trails about 45 minutes southeast.
  Map
• St. Cloud and the Mississippi
  Parks, gardens, and the riverfront about an hour northwest.
  Map
• Mille Lacs Lake
  About two hours north. Fishing, resorts, and Mille Lacs Kathio State Park.
  MapDNR