Devils Lake is a small city in the Lakes and Gardens area of North Dakota. It has a population of about 7,141 people in 2010 census. Its elevation is 1,475 feet.
Understand
Devils Lake is also the name of North Dakota's largest natural lake, with 120,00 acres of surface area and 375 miles of shoreline. As such, it is the focus of numerous recreational and tourist activities, including boating, fishing, swimming, water skiing, photography, etc. The lake is also a natural habitat for various species of waterfowl, which makes it a popular spot for nature lovers, photographers, hunters and birders. Hiking, biking, camping are also popular activities. Scenic drives abound.
Devils Lake offers year round activities for the tourist. In the winter, cross country skiing, snowmobiling and ice fishing are but a few of the options. Many resorts and lodges surround the lake.
Get in
By car
US Highway 2 runs through the southern portion of the city. This highway connects the city to Minot about two hours to the west, and Grand Forks about 1.5 hours to the east.
By plane
By train
- Devils Lake station, 350 Railroad Avenue, 48.110337°, -98.861511°. Amtrak serves Devils Lake via its Empire Builder passenger train which stops once per day in each direction en route between Chicago and Seattle/Portland via Milwaukee, Wisconsin Dells, La Crosse, Winona, St. Paul/Minneapolis, St. Cloud, Fargo-Moorhead, Grand Forks, Minot, Williston, Wolf Point, Havre, Cut Bank, Glacier National Park, Whitefish, Sandpoint, Spokane, Wenatchee, Everett, Pasco-Richland-Kennewick, and Vancouver, WA. The station is not staffed with a ticket agent but one is available about 60 miles to the west at Rugby (Monday-Friday only) and daily about 85 miles to the east in Grand Forks.
Get around
Scenic drives to the east and west of Devils Lake on US Hwy 2. Map (dead link: October 2017)
See
- Devils Lake State Parks, +1 701 766-4015, dlsp@state.nd.us. Three state parks and recreation areas on Devils Lake. Recreational activities include fishing, boating and nature watching. Camping is available at Grahams Island.
- Grahams Island State Park.
- Black Tiger Bay State Recreation Area.
- Lake Region Heritage Center, 502 Fourth St (Old Post Office Museum), +1 701 662-3701, jschiele@stellarnet.com. Local history exhibits, two art galleries. Open year round Monday to Friday, 10AM to 5PM. Admission fee $3, seniors $2.
- Lake Region Heritage House Museum, 416 Sixth St, +1 701 662-3701 or +1 701 662-7080, jschiele@stellarnet.com. Large 1910-era home with artifacts from Lake Region area families. Open Memorial Day to Labor Day, W-Su, 1PM to 4PM. Admission fee $3, seniors $2.
- North Dakota Maritime Museum, +1 701 662-7031, navy702dd@stellarnet.com. Memorabilia and artifacts of military service. By appointment.
- Sully's Hill National Game Preserve, Highway 57 (via Highway 20, about 11 miles south of Devils Lake towards Fort Totten), 48°, -98.941667°, +1 701 766-4272. Drive through game preserve with Buffalo, Elk, Deer and Prairie Dogs. Interpretive Center open until afternoon. $2 per car, $12 annual pass. Visitor are asked to stay in the vehicle once the gates are crossed. Automated gates provide daytime access to the park. Park closes at sunset. It also tends to close when thunderstorms or snow is forecast within 48 hours- their hours are very, conservative in this regard.
- Fort Totten, 47.9775°, -98.993056°. State Historic Site
- SAAGA International Speedway, 4374 98th Street NE, Crary, +1 701 398-3383.
- Devils Run Car Show, +1 701 662-7222. Free to public. Classic cars, muscle cars, sport compact, motorcycles, trucks, music and events. About 1,000 entries every year and the whole town gets behind it.
Do
- Spirit Lake Casino & Resort, +1 701 766-4888, chalgren@spiritlakecasino.com. Poker, 600-plus slots, bingo, live entertainment, 124 rooms, 4-pools, buffet, full-service marina, RV camping. Open daily, 24 hours.
- Fishing, +1 701 662-4903. For walleye, pike, perch and white bass in Devils Lake. Annual Devils Lake Fishing Tournament in late June. There is also a fishing tournament in June at the Spirit Lake Casino (see above).
Buy
Eat
- Auction Barn Cafe, Highway 2, +1 701 662-1012.
- Cedar Inn, Hwy 2 West, +1 701 662-8893.
- The Cove, 1012 Woodland Dr (at the Woodland Resort, Hwy 19 West), +1 701 662-5996.
- Dakotah Buffet, Hwy 57 S, +1 701 766-4747.
- Elks Lodge, 1216 Walnut Street E, +1 701 662-4915.
- Felix's, +1 701 662-4941.
- First Buffet House, 320 4th St, +1 701 662-5888.
- Hot Stuff Pizzeria, +1 701 662-3435.
- Liquid Bean, 316 4th Ave, +1 701 662-1065.
- Master Bakery, 423 Highway 2 W., +1 701 662-1905.
- Mr. & Mrs. J's, Hwy 2, +1 701 662-8815.
- Old Main Street Cafe, 416 4th St, +1 701 662-8814.
- Ranch Steakhouse, 1109 Highway 20 S., +1 701 662-6630.
- Taco John's, S. College Dr, +1 701 662-5353.
- White House Cafe, +1 701 662-4852.
Drink
Sleep
- Comfort Inn, 215 US Hwy 2 E, +1 701 662-6760.
- Dakota Motor Inn, US Hwy 2 E, +1 701 662-4001.
- Davis Motel, Hwy 2 W, +1 701 662-4927.
- Day's Inn, 1109 Highway 20 S., +1 701 662-5381.
- Lakeview Lodge, +1 701 665-5060.
- Super 8 Motel, 1001 Highway 2 E, +1 701 662-8656.
- Trails West Motel, Highway 2 E, +1 701 662-5011.
- Whistling Wings Lodge, 611 Lakeshore Drive NW, +1 701 622-3451.
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Go next
There are four other large lakes nearby: Chain Lake, Lake Irvine, Dry Lake and Sweet Water Lake. Stump Lake is about 35 miles southeast in Nelson County.
