Grahams Island State Park

Nestled along the extensive shoreline of Devils Lake lies Grahams Island State Park surrounded by thick woodlands. This beautiful rustic area is located only 15 miles west of the town of Devils Lake in North Dakota. This serene area around Devils Lake, the largest lake in the state, offers visitors a chance to swim, boat, camp, hike, mountain bike, fish, bird watch, and picnic.

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.