North Dakota route

[NDBushwacker]

   I am not a cycler but meet many cyclists traveling through my work area in central ND.  I would like to suggest an alternate route through the Devils Lake area.  If you are traveling from the West do not turn East on Highway 57 off Highway 281 when you get SE of Minnewaukan.  Instead head South 9 miles on US 281 to Sheyenne and then head East on Eddy County highway 1.  There is a nice park you can camp in on the East edge of Sheyenne, ND.  It is called Warsing Dam.  You can jump in the lake at the boat ramp to freshen up some.  From there you can head East 20 miles and pickup ND state Highway 20.  The city of McVille which is about 7 miles East of Pekin also has a nice small campground on the East edge of town.  There are flush toilets and a swimming beach.  From there you can head East to Highway 32 and then South to Highway 200.  This will save time.  There isn't much camping available through the Indian Reservation and it is much longer. 

[JHamelman]

Thanks for posting what looks like an interesting option for the Northern Tier route. I'm going to file it for future reference. Do you know anything about services available outside of camping? Grocery stores, service stations, restaurants?

.Jennifer.

[Bushwacker]

Jen,
  You can get food in Sheyenne, ND at the Cenex station or the bar.  There is a nice little cafe in Tolna, ND but it is 2 miles North of the highway (15) you would be traveling on.  Tolna has a ok campground though.  Nothing but a bar in Pekin, ND.  Mcville has a Cenex gas station with a pretty good food station, and there is a cafe in town about a block North of the highway on main street.  If you go South from Pekin on ND Highway 1 you won't get a decent place to stop until cooperstown.  Binford is ok & has a cafe, but it is a mile West of the highway.  Sheyenne, and McVille and Pekin are all right on the highway. 
   

[JHamelman]

Thanks for the follow up on this. I'll keep it on file for the next update.

.Jennifer.

[Bushwacker]

   I forgot to mention.  The reason I am suggesting this alternate route is because highway 20 North of Warwick is closed because Devils Lake has flooded it.  You can't go that way at all.  If you are coming from the East watch for a left turn at the curve about a mile South of Warwick.  That will go directly to Eddy county highway 1.   Head West to Sheyenne and Highway 281. 

[MNRider]

If you do take the Cooperstown route, the community has a nice park/campground, a grocery store, a couple of convenience stores, and a few restaurants or bars with food. The next town to the east is Finley which has a community park with restrooms, a restaurant, convenicence store, and grocery store. Nice territory (I used to live in Cooperstown) with lots of cyclists throughout the summer.

[freightbike]

If you do take the Cooperstown route, the community has a nice park/campground, a grocery store, a couple of convenience stores, and a few restaurants or bars with food. The next town to the east is Finley which has a community park with restrooms, a restaurant, convenicence store, and grocery store. Nice territory (I used to live in Cooperstown) with lots of cyclists throughout the summer.

I camped a night in cooperstown five years ago I think, Great place to set up if you like reading books inside your tent all night. So many over head street lights completely cover just about every inch of the park. Carington is much better.

[schaefer]

This post is a trip down memory lane. I spent my youth in the New Rockford area. I love touring the area. June is an awesome month to ride the area. 
I hope that everyone who rides the area finds something to value about the trip.