At Grahams Island State Park in Ramsey County, the wooded shores of Devils Lake, beach and forest trails sit alongside distinct winter activities. The area also features events with different schedules—a June event held every year and fishing tournaments throughout the year—as well as Jewish heritage. When planning a stay in Ramsey, the season and reason for your trip can help you choose what to focus on.

Forest, Shore and Trails at Devils Lake

Grahams Island State Park lies on the wooded shores of Devils Lake. Its shoreline is constantly changing; the park is heavily wooded and surrounded by miles of shoreline. Trails wind through ash and oak forests, offering opportunities for birdwatching and wildlife photography. Grahams Island is home to 130 native plant species. Visitors can swim at the beach. The water, forest and plant life each offer a distinct perspective on the park’s landscape.

The Sivert Thompson Loop is 1.2 miles long and open to hiking and mountain biking. The park also has large, shaded campsites. Visitors planning their trip around these natural features can choose to focus on trails, the beach or forest observation.

Winter Activities and Fishing

In winter, a three-mile cross-country ski trail is groomed weekly. Its availability depends on snow conditions. Snowshoeing is also possible in the park, but not on the groomed cross-country ski trails. This restriction matters when choosing an activity: cross-country skiing and snowshoeing cannot be done on the same groomed trails.

The park offers good lake access for ice fishing; access conditions may vary seasonally. There is also a fishing pier on Grahams Island. A park entrance fee may apply. Park facilities also include a four-lane boat ramp and a fish-cleaning station. Check the operator’s latest information about facilities before your visit.

Events and Getting Oriented

The Ramsey County 4-H Achievement Days are held every June. Grahams Island State Park hosts numerous national and regional fishing tournaments throughout the year. June provides a clear time frame for the 4-H events, while the specific event date matters if you are planning around a particular fishing tournament. Check the latest arrangements for the event you have in mind before traveling.

The Peterson Arena, a large outdoor sand arena, is located at the Ramsey County Fairgrounds. It measures 150 × 200 feet and includes an 85 × 150-foot warm-up area and a speaker stand. The Ramsey County Fairgrounds event center is about two miles west of Devils Lake on State Highway 19. If you are considering using the arena, confirm rental and use conditions with the operator; these may change.

Jewish History in Ramsey County

The Sons of Jacob Cemetery features distinctive gravestones, including natural fieldstones with engraved artwork, considered among the most remarkable expressions of traditional Jewish art. A description by the National Park Service, updated July 3, 2018, identifies the cemetery as the only permanent physical reminder of Ramsey County’s Jewish agricultural community and as the oldest cemetery of Jewish settlers in North Dakota. The cemetery thus offers a distinct historical focus alongside the area’s nature and events.

More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Devils Lake, Grand Forks, Ward, Mercer, Stark County, Richland County, Nelson, Eddy County.

Go to the main travel overview: North Dakota.