Kenmare is located in northwestern North Dakota in Ward County about 50 miles northwest of Minot along U.S. Highway 52 on the banks of the Des Lacs River in between Upper and Lower Des Lacs Lakes.
Outdoor recreation centers around the two lakes as well as Des Lacs National Wildlife Refuge (just outside the city limits) and Lostwood National Wildlife Refuge located about 15 miles west of town. Kenmare Country Club, built in 1917, is open to the public and offers its 9-hole facility to golfers from April 15 through October 31. This is a relatively short course at about 2,700 yards and plays to a par of 34.