Ramsey: Discover Nature, Winter, and History

Ramsey offers several specific reasons to visit: scenery and activities at Devils Lake, county events, and places with historical significance. Grahams Island State Park, the Ramsey County Fairgrounds, and the Sons of Jacob Cemetery each offer a different focus. If you’re looking for a hotel in Ramsey, consider which of these topics matters most to your stay.

Grahams Island State Park: Lakeshore and Forest

Grahams Island State Park lies along the wooded shores of Devils Lake. The shoreline is constantly changing, and miles of waterfront shape the landscape. Grahams Island is home to 130 native plant species. Trails wind through ash and oak forests and offer opportunities for birdwatching and wildlife photography. Here, lakeshore, forest, and nature observation come together in one place. Visitors can swim at the beach.

Trails and Winter Activities

The 1.2-mile Sivert Thompson Loop is open to hikers and mountain bikers. In winter, the park also offers more than three miles of groomed cross-country ski trails; availability depends on snow conditions. Snowshoeing is also possible, but not on the groomed cross-country ski trails. If you’re planning a winter activity, keep this distinction in mind when choosing your trails.

The lake is also accessible for ice fishing in winter; conditions can change seasonally. Grahams Island also has a fishing pier, for which a park entrance fee may apply. Park facilities include a four-lane boat ramp and a fish cleaning station. Check the operator’s current notices before visiting.

Ramsey County Fairgrounds and Arena

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’s stand. The event center at the Ramsey County Fairgrounds is on State Highway 19, about two miles west of Devils Lake.

An Annual June Event

The Ramsey County 4-H Achievement Days are held every year in June. If you’re planning your trip around this event, check the dates and arrangements for the year in question.

Jewish History in Ramsey

The Sons of Jacob Cemetery is the only permanent physical reminder of Ramsey County’s Jewish farming community and the oldest cemetery of Jewish settlers in North Dakota. Its distinctive headstones include natural fieldstones with engraved artwork. This design is among the most notable expressions of traditional Jewish art. The cemetery thus connects the history of the county’s Jewish settler community with distinctive headstone art.

Explore more destinations: Devils Lake, Eddy County, Billings County, Mchenry County, Pierce County, Barnes County, Williams County, Grand Forks

For the broader travel overview: North Dakota.