🌤 Weather at Grahams Island State Park by season
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14–64 °F | 54–79 °F | 18–68 °F | -2 to 21 °F |
Each range runs from the coldest monthly average low to the warmest monthly average high in that season (1991-2020 climate normals), measured at Devils Lake, 9 mi away, elevation 1,440 ft. Conditions at the park can differ from the station, especially where elevation differs — check a forecast before you go.
Activities
For your next get away, spend some time at the lake! Grahams Island State Park offers a traditional lakeside camping experience all within a rustic wooded setting with nature trails, hidden geocaches, a Visitor Center, fishing docks, playgrounds, scenic picnic areas, horseshoe courts, and sand volleyball courts. If you’d rather visit during the winter, that’s fun too! When the ground is covered in snow guests may cross-country ski, snowshoe, and ice fish inside the park. Here are some of the activities that you can do during your visit to Grahams Island State Park:
Boating at Grahams Island State Park
Bring your kayak, canoe, or paddleboard and spend an enjoyable day out on Devils Lake during your visit to Grahams Island State Park. A boat ramp is located inside the park and boat rentals are available in the nearby town of Devils Lake.
Swimming at Grahams Island State Park
Summer visitors will enjoy taking a refreshing dip in Devils Lake especially after spending a fun filled day exploring the nature trails. The park’s beach area is located just southeast of the cabins and the primitive campground. Since there are no lifeguards, swimmers should stay within the designated buoyed area and children under 12 should be supervised at all times.
Hiking at Grahams Island State Park
Explore the trails that wind throughout the campground and into the surrounding woodlands along the lake. These trails are open for hikers and mountain bikes, and a separate trail is groomed for cross-country skiing during the winter. Here are a couple of the trails at Grahams Island State Park:
- Sivert Thompson Loop – This 1.6 mile trail flows through the oak and ash woodlands and out to the south shoreline of Devils Lake.
- North Campground Loop – Easy 0.5 mile trail through the campground and along the lake.
Fishing at Grahams Island State Park
Grahams Island State Park is the place to be if you’re looking for world-class fishing opportunities. Devils Lake’s unique landscape and abundance of white bass, walleye, perch, crappie, muskie, and northern pike make it a popular choice for competing anglers and a prime location for national and regional fishing tournaments. No matter what time of the year you plan to visit you’ll be pleased by what this lake has to offer. And as an additional incentive, the park also has a bait shop, 2 fishing docks, and a fish cleaning station. All you need is your fishing pole and a North Dakota fishing license.
Birding at Grahams Island State Park
Discover many species of waterfowl and shorebirds as you wander or float along the lake’s edge. In addition to the many ducks, geese, partridges, grouse, and pheasants you will easily see, you may also get a chance to observe a Peregrine Falcon, Tricolored Heron, Northern Pintail, American Bittern, Double-crested Cormorant, or a Tundra Swan.
Nature and Wildlife at Grahams Island State Park
During your visit to this serene area you’ll have the chance to see a variety of wildlife as well as more than 130 native North Dakota plant species. While walking through the woodlands and surrounding prairie keep an eye out for white-tailed deer, prairie dogs, squirrels, raccoons, birds, foxes, beaver, and possibly a bison or two. For younger guests, the Visitor Center offers the Young Explorer Field Pack, an activity kit that includes field guides, activity sheets, and supplies for exploring and learning about nature.
Pets
Pets are allowed within Grahams Island State Park as long as they are well behaved and kept on a leash. Pets are not allowed in park buildings, including cabins, or in the swimming area. A separate fenced-in green space is now available for dogs to run and play without leashes. This dog park area is located between the campgrounds.
Camping
Surrounded by shady woodlands along scenic Devils Lake, Grahams Island State Park features a variety of campsites plus 4 seasonal camping cabins. The campsites include 38 with electric, water, and sewer connections, 70 with electric and water, 5 group sites with full hookups, 15 group sites with electric and water, 12 primitive group sites, and 9 primitive sites. The 4 seasonal camping cabins are nestled within the hilly woodlands overlooking the lake. Each cabin has beds (for 5 guests), lights, electricity, heat and air conditioning, and a small refrigerator. All campsites and cabins have a picnic table and fire ring and access to restrooms and showers. A playground, picnic shelters and a dump station are also located within the campground area.
Park Location
Grahams Island State Park 152 S Duncan Rd Devils Lake, ND 58301 Phone: 701.766.4015 Park Website Reservations
Map
Video
Here is a short YouTube video showcasing several attractions at Grahams Island State Park:
Explore More North Dakota State Parks
Grahams Island State Park is one of many outstanding state parks in North Dakota. Discover more parks in our Best State Parks in North Dakota guide, or use our Park Finder to search by activity, location, or features.
More parks in North Dakota: Turtle River State Park and Pembina Gorge State Recreation Area. See the full North Dakota state parks guide.
⛺ Camping at Grahams Island State Park: Campgrounds & Cabins
| Campsites | 156 sites — 45 Premium Campsites with electricity, water & sewer, $30-35/night; 5 Premium Group Campsites, $30-35/night per unit; 70 Modern Campsites with electricity & water, $25-30/night; 15 Modern Group Campsites, $25-30/night per unit; 9 Primitive Campsites, $15/night; 12 Primitive Group Campsites, $15/night per unit. Showers & flush toilets, sewer and electrical hookups, and a sewage dump station on site. |
|---|---|
| Cabins & Lodging | One basic camping cabin, open seasonally, $70-85/night, sleeps 5 (one full bed and 3 twin beds, bunkbed style), air-conditioned with a small refrigerator, no kitchen. Bedding/towels not provided; pets not allowed. |
| Pets | Pets are welcome in the campground but must stay on a leash. |
| Reservations | Book online at reservendparks.com or call 800-807-4723, up to 95 days in advance. Check-in 4:00 pm, check-out 3:00 pm. Vehicle entrance permit required: $7 daily, $35 annual, $61.25 annual family, $28 annual senior. |
| Special sites | Boat ramp. South picnic shelter seats 48 ($25), north shelter seats 32 ($25); Sivert Thompson Activity Center seats up to 180, $250/day. Dog park, playground, swim beach, gas pump. |
| Season notes | Campsite water is shut off October 1; the comfort station for the LaRose/Howard campgrounds closes September 20. |
Camping questions about Grahams Island State Park
Can you camp at Grahams Island State Park?
Yes. Grahams Island State Park has 156 campsites. 45 Premium Campsites with electricity, water & sewer, $30-35/night; 5 Premium Group Campsites, $30-35/night per unit; 70 Modern Campsites with electricity & water, $25-30/night; 15 Modern Group Campsites, $25-30/night per unit; 9 Primitive Campsites, $15/night; 12 Primitive Group Campsites, $15/night per unit. Showers & flush toilets, sewer and electrical hookups, and a sewage dump station on site.
How do you reserve a campsite at Grahams Island State Park?
Book online at reservendparks.com or call 800-807-4723, up to 95 days in advance. Check-in 4:00 pm, check-out 3:00 pm. Vehicle entrance permit required: $7 daily, $35 annual, $61.25 annual family, $28 annual senior.
Are there cabins at Grahams Island State Park?
One basic camping cabin, open seasonally, $70-85/night, sleeps 5 (one full bed and 3 twin beds, bunkbed style), air-conditioned with a small refrigerator, no kitchen. Bedding/towels not provided; pets not allowed.
Are pets allowed at the Grahams Island State Park campground?
Pets are welcome in the campground but must stay on a leash.
Source: parkrec.nd.gov (verified July 2026). Details change seasonally — confirm when booking.
🐾 Dogs & Pets at Grahams Island State Park
- Pets allowed? statewide rule
- Pets are welcome in North Dakota state parks but must stay on a leash.
- Leash rule statewide rule
- Leash required; no maximum length specified on the official site
- Cabins & lodging statewide rule
- Pets are not allowed in cabins or yurts where parks state a policy (e.g. Fort Ransom State Park); no statewide pet-friendly cabin program advertised
- Statewide exceptions statewide rule
- Most parks have designated off-leash areas or dog parks (e.g. Fort Ransom's off-leash area with river access, Grahams Island's fenced dog park)
Are dogs allowed at Grahams Island State Park?
Pets are welcome in North Dakota state parks but must stay on a leash. Individual parks can post stricter rules — check signage on arrival.
Rules verified July 2026 via parkrec.nd.gov. More: North Dakota state parks guide · Dog rules in all 50 states compared
Park Location
Plan your gear for Grahams Island State Park
From our editorial guides, matched to this park’s activities:
