North Dakota
Eroded buttes, bison herds and long, quiet highways in western North Dakota suit travelers who want open country and a slower pace.
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The state is mostly flat prairie with wheat fields and straight highways, so the western Little Missouri Badlands stand out sharply against it. This country holds eroded buttes, grassland and river valleys cut deep into the plains, and Theodore Roosevelt National Park protects much of it. Roosevelt ranched near here in the 1880s. Medora, a small town near the park's South Unit, is the usual base for visitors.
Bison graze across the park, so leave time on the scenic drives to slow down and watch them. The main sights are spread over long drives, so pick one base and plan fewer stops. Late spring through early fall suits driving and hiking, while winter brings snow and icy roads. Plan at least two or three days in the west, and more if you want to see all three units of the park.
North Dakota in five
- Pay the park fee at Theodore RooseveltThe park charges $30 per private vehicle or $15 per person on foot or bike, valid for seven days, and issues no timed-entry permits. Fees are collected at entrance stations May to September and at visitor centers the rest of the year.NPS fees and passes
- Start at the South Unit in MedoraThe South Unit entrance station is in the town of Medora, which also has the visitor center, restaurants and rooms. It is the easiest first stop for the scenic loop drive and wildlife.
- Add the North Unit only with time to spareThe North Unit entrance is about 15 minutes south of Watford City, a separate drive from Medora. Choose one unit if you have a day, and both if you have three.
- Fly into Bismarck, Fargo or WillistonBismarck is about two hours from Medora by car, Fargo about five. Williston is closest to the North Unit but has fewer flights, so compare total drive time with fares.Getting around the USA
- Fuel up and check the weather before long drivesServices are sparse between towns, and winter storms can close highways. Fill the tank in Medora, Dickinson or Watford City, and check road conditions before long stretches.
Neighborhoods
Medora
- Price band: $$$
Fargo
Fargo is a short stop on the flat Red River plains, with a walkable downtown, river paths, and small prairie towns a drive away.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Go for the badlands of western North Dakota, where bison graze among striped buttes beside the Little Missouri River.
Things to do in North Dakota
See all attractions in North Dakota
Need to know
- Airport
- Bismarck (BIS) or Fargo (FAR); Williston (XWA) is closest to the North Unit
- Getting there
- Drive; I-94 crosses the state east to west past Medora
- Getting around
- A rental car is essential; distances between sights are long
- Best base
- Medora for the South Unit; Watford City for the North Unit
- Time needed
- 2 to 4 days for Theodore Roosevelt National Park and Medora
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryPartly cloudy4 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh-6°Low-14°Bitter, closuresJanuaryPartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- -6°
- Low
- -14°
- Precipitation
- 13 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Bitter, closures
- FebruaryPartly cloudy4 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh-5°Low-14°Bitter, snowFebruaryPartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- -5°
- Low
- -14°
- Precipitation
- 14 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Bitter, snow
- MarchPartly cloudy6 rainy days3 snowy daysHigh3°Low-6°Thaw, mudMarchPartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- 3°
- Low
- -6°
- Precipitation
- 24 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 3
- Days with storms
- 0
Thaw, mud
- AprilPartly cloudy8 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh10°Low0°Cool, quietAprilPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 0°
- Precipitation
- 50 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, quiet
- MayPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh19°Low8°Spring, wildlifeMayPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 73 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring, wildlife
- JunePartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh25°Low14°Warm, greenJunePartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 93 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, green
- JulyClear10 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh28°Low16°Hot, busyJulyClear
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 85 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hot, busy
- AugustClear8 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh27°Low16°Hot, stormsAugustClear
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 99 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hot, storms
- SeptemberClear7 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh23°Low12°Mild, quieterSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 78 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Mild, quieter
- OctoberPartly cloudy6 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh13°Low4°Fall, coolOctoberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 54 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Fall, cool
- NovemberPartly cloudy6 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh4°Low-4°Cold, snow riskNovemberPartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- 4°
- Low
- -4°
- Precipitation
- 29 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 2
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, snow risk
- DecemberPartly cloudy6 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh-4°Low-11°Bitter, snowDecemberPartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- -4°
- Low
- -11°
- Precipitation
- 28 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 2
- Days with storms
- 0
Bitter, snow
Average daily high and low in Bismarck, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in North Dakota
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
13
- Feels like
- 9°
- Humidity
- 93%
- Wind
- 26 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 97%
North Dakota
06:53 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today14°7°97%Monday: Rain. High 14°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 97%.
- Tue7°3°4%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 7°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 4%.
- Wed13°1°3%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 13°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Thu10°2°3%Thursday: Cloudy. High 10°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Fri14°2°0%Friday: Cloudy. High 14°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sat9°6°5%Saturday: Drizzle. High 9°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Sun9°2°2%Sunday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 2%.
Updated 03:20 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Theodore Roosevelt NP South Unitabout 2 hours west of BismarckThe Medora gateway, with the scenic loop drive and wildlife.
- Theodore Roosevelt NP North Unitabout 15 minutes south of Watford CityA quieter unit with its own drive and trails, best as a second stop.
- Fargoabout 3 hours east of BismarckThe state's largest city and the usual flight gateway for visitors from the east.
Before you go to North Dakota
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Rules for North Dakota, checked
- Theodore Roosevelt National Park: $30 per private vehicle or $15 per person (16+) on foot or bike, valid 7 days; no timed-entry permits are issued.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
Plan around North Dakota
What each park charges visitors
Read the guideMinneapolisThe nearest big city, east along I-94
Read the guideGlacier National ParkWest along US-2 into Montana
Read the guideGetting around the USARental cars and fly-drive plans
Read the guideeSIM for the USAData for signal gaps on the prairie
Read the guideOklahomaAnother Great Plains road trip, with Route 66
Read the guideAll of the USAStates, parks and cities in one planning hub
Read the guideNorth Dakota FAQ
What is North Dakota best known for?
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, the Little Missouri Badlands and wide prairie. The park preserves three areas of rugged badlands in the south-west, with scenic drives that offer glimpses of bison, prairie dogs and deer.
How much does Theodore Roosevelt National Park cost?
The NPS lists $30 per private vehicle or $15 per person on foot or bike, valid seven days. The park is not on the list of 11 parks with the $100 non-resident fee, and it issues no timed-entry permits.
How many days do you need in North Dakota?
Two days covers the South Unit and Medora, while four days adds the North Unit and a drive across the badlands. A longer trip combines it with Glacier or Minneapolis.
Is North Dakota worth visiting in winter?
Only for a specific plan. The park stays open, but roads can close in storms and temperatures drop far below freezing. Late spring to early fall gives the widest range of drives and walks.
Where do you fly into for North Dakota?
Bismarck is the usual choice for Medora, and Fargo suits trips that start in the east. Williston is closest to the North Unit but has a smaller route map. Budget for a rental car in every case.