Major city · United States
Alsen
Skip Alsen unless you have a specific reason to visit (family history, hunting at Lost Prairie Lodge). The town has about 35 residents, one seasonal museum and no restaurant or store.
Alsen is a tiny unincorporated community in the Red River Valley of North Dakota, founded by Danish and Norwegian settlers. It has a small museum open by appointment in summer and a hunting lodge. There is no café, gas station or grocery. Most travellers pass through on State Highway 66 without stopping.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Jun–Aug (museum open, mild weather)
- avoid Nov–Mar (bitter cold, museum closed)
- Airports
- DVL · GFK
- Nights
- 0
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
Emergency numbers for Alsen911 ▾
- 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 Alsen, 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; crime is negligible.
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.
- AirportDVL Devils Lake Regional Airport (About 45 min drive south; limited commercial flights.).
- 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.
- Museum or sight ticketAlsen Museum entryCheck; open by appointment only Jul–Aug.Free (donation suggested)
- Budget bedLost Prairie Lodge (multi-person unit), a night, per roomUS$150
- Mid-range bedLost Prairie Lodge (multi-person unit), a night, per roomUS$200
- High-end bedLost Prairie Lodge (multi-person unit), a night, per roomUS$350
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$50 · Mid US$120 · High US$250
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
- DVL Devils Lake Regional Airport (About 45 min drive south; limited commercial flights.) · GFK Grand Forks International Airport (About 1 h 45 min drive; more flight options.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
Feb
Avoid
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
Mar
Avoid
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
Apr
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
May
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Jun
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jul
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Aug
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Sep
not flagged
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Oct
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Nov
Avoid
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
Dec
Avoid
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
Best: Jun–Aug. Avoid: Nov–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)), coolest Jan (−18°C (0°F)0°F (−18°C) low), wettest Jun (11 rain days), driest Jan (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Alsen: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
−18°C (0°F)0°F (−18°C)
5 rd
Feb
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
−16°C (3°F)3°F (−16°C)
5 rd
Mar
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
6 rd
Apr
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
7 rd
May
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
9 rd
Jun
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
11 rd
Jul
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
10 rd
Aug
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
9 rd
Sep
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
8 rd
Oct
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
6 rd
Nov
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
5 rd
Dec
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
−15°C (5°F)5°F (−15°C)
5 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. Alsen has no public transport. The town is a few blocks along Main Street.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 45 min
Drive south on ND-20, about 45 min
Largest nearby town; restaurants, hotels, groceries, fuel.
Langdon
goDoor to door: 25 min
Drive north on ND-20, about 25 min
County seat with basic services.
Door to door: 1 h 45 min
Drive south on ND-20 then US-2, about 1 h 45 min
Full city with university, shopping, dining.
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.
Alsen itself
Only Lost Prairie Lodge (hunting-oriented, multi-person units). No hotels or motels.
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
- $50–80 (camping or self-contained RV)
- Mid
- $120–200 (Lost Prairie Lodge, meals from elsewhere)
- High
- $250+ (hunting package or premium lodge)
Trip budget
| Lost Prairie Lodge (multi-person unit)1 × 1 night × US$200 | US$200 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$120 | US$240 |
| Fuel from Devils Lake (round trip)1 × US$25 · Approximate for a sedan. | US$25 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$47 |
| Trip total≈ US$256 per person per day, bed included | US$512 |
Hunting-oriented; check availability and minimum stay.
2026 estimate in USD. No restaurants or stores in Alsen; budget for meals and fuel in Devils Lake or Langdon.
Prices of common things
| Fuel (regular, per gallon)Check; prices vary widely. | $3.00–3.50 |
| Lost Prairie Lodge (per night, multi-person unit)Check; depends on season and group size. | $150–350 |
| Alsen Museum entryCheck; open by appointment only Jul–Aug. | Free (donation suggested) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No fuel, no food, no ATM in Alsen. Fill up and stock supplies in Devils Lake or Langdon.
- Alsen Museum is open only July 1 – September 1, and by appointment only. Call +1 701 843-7032.
- Cell service may be spotty; download maps offline.
Emergency numbers
- Police / Fire / Ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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AlsenAlsen
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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Emergency
- Police / Fire / Ambulance911
Embassy
Nearest consulate services: Canadian consulate in Minneapolis; other countries' embassies in Washington, DC.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Devils Lake → Alsen (car): about 45 min, 38 miles on ND-20
- Grand Forks → Alsen (car): about 1 h 45 min, 90 miles via US-2 and ND-20
Say or show
- Hello — Hello (Hello)
- Thank you — Thank you (Thank you)
- How much? — How much? (How much?)
- Where is the nearest gas station? — Where is the nearest gas station? (Where is the nearest gas station?)
- I need help — I need help (I need help)
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 Alsen. 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 (museum open, mild weather) · avoid Nov–Mar (bitter cold, museum closed) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 1 area 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
- Add verified opening hours for Alsen Museum (call to confirm).
- Add hunting season dates and licence requirements for Lost Prairie Lodge.
- Add cell coverage map for the area.
Sources
Ask about Alsen
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