Rolette district, North Dakota, United States

Places to visit near Shell Valley

Shell Valley is a town in Rolette district, North Dakota, United States, home to about 1,197 people. Within 50 km by road there are 218 places to visit — 131 lakes, dams & reservoirs, 21 forts & heritage, 18 wildlife, forests & gardens and 21 churches. The must-see places are Lake Upsilon (24 km), North American Game Warden Museum (33 km) and International Peace Garden (34 km).

Updated · Distances are road estimates · Open Shell Valley on the map

Shell Valley, North Dakota
Shell Valley, Rolette district, North Dakota, United States. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

Shell Valley at a glance

Location
Rolette district, North Dakota, United States
Population
about 1,197
Coordinates
48.7981° N, 99.8649° W
Places within 50 km
218 (7 must-see)
Best time to visit
August to December when reservoirs are full and gates may open for lakes, dams & reservoirs; October to February for forts & heritage; year-round for churches

Top places to visit near Shell Valley

Ranked by how worth the drive they are from Shell Valley: must-see places and the closest well-loved spots first. Open a place for photos, today’s visitor status, timings and directions.

More places near Shell Valley

Things to see near Shell Valley, by type

Lakes, dams & reservoirs near Shell Valley

149 lakes, dams & reservoirs within 100 km of Shell Valley. The closest is Azure Dam (7 km); the best-known is Lake Upsilon (24 km). Best time: august to december when reservoirs are full and gates may open.

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Forts & heritage near Shell Valley

26 forts & heritage within 100 km of Shell Valley. The closest is San Haven Sanitorium (17 km). Best time: october to february.

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Wildlife, forests & gardens near Shell Valley

24 wildlife, forests & gardens within 100 km of Shell Valley. The closest is Little Gurr Lake National Wildlife Refuge (16 km). Best time: november to march for sightings.

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Churches near Shell Valley

24 churches within 100 km of Shell Valley. The closest is Saint Michael Church (4 km). Best time: year-round.

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Parks near Shell Valley

13 parks within 100 km of Shell Valley. The closest is Wakopa State Game Management Area (25 km); the best-known is International Peace Garden (34 km). Best time: year-round, evenings.

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Hill stations & viewpoints near Shell Valley

11 hill stations & viewpoints within 100 km of Shell Valley. The closest is Lafountain Mountain (1 km). Best time: october to february for cool, clear air.

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A one-day trip from Shell Valley

5 of the best places within 60 km, in driving order so you don’t double back: about 112 km on the road.

  1. Start in Shell Valley
  2. 16 km Little Gurr Lake National Wildlife Refuge · nature spot, Rolette
  3. 47 km North American Game Warden Museum · museum, Rolette
  4. 2 km International Peace Garden · garden, North Dakota
  5. 21 km Lake Upsilon · lake, Rolette
  6. 9 km Bu Lake · lake, Rolette
  7. 17 km Back to Shell Valley

Plan a longer trip from Shell Valley — the planner adds a place to stay each night and keeps the route to one loop.

How to reach Shell Valley

    All places near Shell Valley by distance

    Within 15 km of Shell Valley

    15–50 km — half-day trips

    50–100 km — one-day trips

    Count by type

    Places near Shell Valley by type
    TypePlacesNearest
    Lakes, dams & reservoirs149Azure Dam (7 km)
    Forts & heritage26San Haven Sanitorium (17 km)
    Wildlife, forests & gardens24Little Gurr Lake National Wildlife Refuge (16 km)
    Churches24Saint Michael Church (4 km)
    Parks13Wakopa State Game Management Area (25 km)
    Hill stations & viewpoints11Lafountain Mountain (1 km)
    Other attractions4Town Mural (24 km)
    Museums3Rolette County Historical Society Museum (25 km)
    Beaches & coast2Adam Lake Beach (38 km)
    Treks1Dunseith Trail (36 km)

    Shell Valley: questions travellers ask

    What are the best places to visit near Shell Valley?

    Lake Upsilon (lake, about 24 km), North American Game Warden Museum (museum, about 33 km), International Peace Garden (garden, about 34 km), Little Gurr Lake National Wildlife Refuge (nature spot, about 16 km), Bu Lake (lake, about 17 km), San Haven Sanitorium (heritage site, about 17 km).

    How many tourist places are there within 50 km of Shell Valley?

    218 places on Spotwander: 131 lakes, dams & reservoirs, 21 forts & heritage, 18 wildlife, forests & gardens, 21 churches, 11 parks.

    Which is the nearest lake to Shell Valley?

    Azure Dam, about 7 km by road; Marion Lakes (10 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest fort to Shell Valley?

    San Haven Sanitorium, about 17 km by road; Monument 717 (28 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest sanctuary to Shell Valley?

    Little Gurr Lake National Wildlife Refuge, about 16 km by road; Rolette County Waterfowl Production Area (18 km) is next.

    What is a good one-day trip from Shell Valley?

    Start in Shell Valley, visit Little Gurr Lake National Wildlife Refuge, then North American Game Warden Museum, then International Peace Garden, then Lake Upsilon, then Bu Lake, and drive back — about 112 km by road in all.

    What is the best time to visit places near Shell Valley?

    August to December when reservoirs are full and gates may open for lakes, dams & reservoirs; October to February for forts & heritage; year-round for churches.

    Towns near Shell Valley

    Sources: places from OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata and GeoNames; Shell Valley’s location and population from GeoNames; see also Shell Valley on Wikipedia. Data sources & credits.