Ellendale, North Dakota travel guide: things to do, food & where to stay

Overview

Ellendale is a town in the Coteaus and Plains area of North Dakota. It has a population of about 1,559 people. Its elevation is 1,459 feet.

2 sights · 1 places to eat · 4 places to stay

Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage

Best things about Ellendale

Applefest

Annual town celebration in late September, features pie eating contests, rib cook off, and class car and bike show.

Coleman Museum

Open Junethrough September, each Tuesday and Friday, 1PM to 5PM. Exhibits include furnishings from local schools; pictures, antique dishes, clothing, and furniture from local area; antique farm implements, stoves and oth…

Plan your trip

Best time to visit & weather

Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 82°F; winter lows dip to about 1°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Mar, Nov, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jun and May. (climate data from nearby Fargo)

Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).

Getting there

From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
ABR Aberdeen Regional Airport, Aberdeen — 39 mi away. Directions
JMS Jamestown Regional Airport, Jamestown — 64 mi away. Directions
MSP Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport / Wold–Chamberlain Field, Minneapolis — 268 mi away (major hub). Directions

Full “Get in” guide ↓

Budget & where to stay

No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.

Sample 1-day itinerary

Day 1

Morning Applefest
Lunch Nellie's Drive In
Afternoon Coleman Museum

Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.

Food for you

What to ask about, for your diet

Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder

Understand

Ellendale was named for Mary Ellen Dale Merrill, the wife of S.S. Merrill, who was the superintendent CMSP Railway. Ellendale became the first permanent settlement in Dickey County in 1881. It is home to Trinity Bible College

Get in

By car: from Jamestown, take exit 258 from I-94, south 63 miles on US-281. It is just 5 miles north from the South Dakota state line.
By air: Ellendale Municipal Airport