Major city · United States
Thief River Falls
Skip unless you have family in the area or need a quiet overnight on US-59 between Winnipeg and Fergus Falls: half a day is enough.
Thief River Falls is a small agricultural and casino town in northwestern Minnesota, best known as a pit stop on US-59. The main draw is the Seven Clans Casino with its water park; otherwise the town offers a quiet, no-frills stay for travellers crossing the Red River Valley.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Jun–Aug
- avoid Jan–Feb (extreme cold), Mar–Apr (mud season)
- Airport
- TVF
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Thief River Falls911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Thief River Falls, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyVery safe.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportTVF Thief River Falls Regional Airport (Denver Air Connection from Minneapolis/St.
- Getting aroundYou need a car.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee (diner)$2–3
- Sit-down mealCasino buffet dinnercheck$15–25
- BeerBeer (domestic, bar)$4–6
- Budget bedCasino hotel (Seven Clans), a night, per roomUS$60
- Mid-range bedBudget motel room, a night, per roomUS$100
- High-end bedBudget motel room, a night, per roomUS$130
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$80 · Mid US$130 · High US$200
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- TVF Thief River Falls Regional Airport (Denver Air Connection from Minneapolis/St. Paul (MSP); check schedule)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
Feb
Avoid
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
Mar
Avoid
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
Apr
Avoid
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
May
not flagged
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jun
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jul
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Aug
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Sep
not flagged
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Oct
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Nov
not flagged
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Dec
not flagged
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
Best: Jun–Aug. Avoid: Jan–Apr. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)), coolest Jan (−20°C (−4°F)−4°F (−20°C) low), wettest Jun (11 rain days), driest Feb (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Thief River Falls: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
−20°C (−4°F)−4°F (−20°C)
6 rd
Feb
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
−18°C (0°F)0°F (−18°C)
5 rd
Mar
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C)
6 rd
Apr
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
7 rd
May
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
9 rd
Jun
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
11 rd
Jul
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
10 rd
Aug
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
9 rd
Sep
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
8 rd
Oct
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
7 rd
Nov
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
5 rd
Dec
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
−17°C (1°F)1°F (−17°C)
6 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
You need a car. The town is small enough to walk downtown, but hotels and the casino are spread along US-59.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Fergus Falls
goDoor to door: About 1 h
US-59 south, about 45 min
Larger town with a historic downtown and the Otter Tail County Museum.
Grand Forks, ND
goDoor to door: About 1.25 h
US-2 west, about 1 h
University town with the North Dakota Museum of Art and the Greenway.
Itasca State Park
cautionDoor to door: About 2 h
US-2 east then MN-200, about 1.5 h
Headwaters of the Mississippi; a full-day trip from Thief River Falls.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
US-59 corridor (south of town)
Most hotels and the casino are along this strip; car needed.
Downtown
Limited options; closer to a few diners and bars.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $80–120 excl. bed
- Mid
- $120–180 excl. bed
- High
- $180+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range hotel (e.g. Quality Inn)1 × 1 night × US$130 | US$130 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$130 | US$260 |
| Water park access (Seven Clans)2 × US$20 · check | US$40 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$43 |
| Trip total≈ US$237 per person per day, bed included | US$473 |
2026 estimate in USD; flights excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee (diner) | $2–3 |
| Burger and fries | $10–15 |
| Beer (domestic, bar) | $4–6 |
| Gas (per US gallon)check | $3.50–4.50 |
| Casino buffet dinnercheck | $15–25 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Casino allows smoking; the smell carries into non-gaming areas.
- Winter storms can close US-59 and TVF airport: check road conditions.
- No Uber or Lyft; taxis are limited.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Thief River FallsThief River Falls
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Take me to this addressTake me to this address
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- TVF airport to downtown: taxi about $20–30 (check)
Say or show
- Hello — Hello
- Thank you — Thank you
- How much? — How much?
- Where is the casino? — Where is the casino?
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Thief River Falls. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Aug · avoid Jan–Feb (extreme cold), Mar–Apr (mud season) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Thief River Falls
Loading…
Was this useful?