Major city · United States
Big Stone City
Half a day for the lake and a meal; not a base unless you're fishing Big Stone Lake for a weekend.
Big Stone City is a small town at the south end of Big Stone Lake, a walleye and catfish fishery on the Minnesota border. The town itself has a café, a bar and a motel. Most visitors come for the lake, then move on to Milbank or Aberdeen.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Dec–Mar (lake frozen, town quiet)
- Airport
- ABR
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Big Stone City911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Big Stone City, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyVery low crime.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportABR Aberdeen Regional Airport (About 50 min drive; limited flights via Denver.).
- Getting aroundYou need a car.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at Cottage Inn Cafe$2–4
- BeerBeer at Mac Daddy's$4–6
- Budget bedBig Stone Motel double room, a night, per roomUS$80
- Mid-range bedBig Stone Motel double room, a night, per roomUS$100
- High-end bedBig Stone Motel double room, a night, per roomUS$130
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$60 · Mid US$120 · High US$200
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- ABR Aberdeen Regional Airport (About 50 min drive; limited flights via Denver.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
Feb
Avoid
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
Mar
Avoid
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Apr
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
May
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Jun
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Jul
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Aug
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Sep
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Oct
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Nov
not flagged
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Dec
Avoid
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Dec–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)), coolest Jan (−16°C (3°F)3°F (−16°C) low), wettest Jun (11 rain days), driest Jan (4). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Big Stone City: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
−16°C (3°F)3°F (−16°C)
4 rd
Feb
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
−13°C (9°F)9°F (−13°C)
4 rd
Mar
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
6 rd
Apr
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
8 rd
May
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
10 rd
Jun
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
11 rd
Jul
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
9 rd
Aug
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
8 rd
Sep
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
7 rd
Oct
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
6 rd
Nov
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
5 rd
Dec
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
−13°C (9°F)9°F (−13°C)
4 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
You need a car. The town is walkable (a few blocks), but the lake and boat ramps are a short drive. No public transport.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Milbank
goDoor to door: About 15 min
US-12 west, about 15 min
Larger town with grocery, fuel and a few restaurants.
Ortonville, MN
goDoor to door: About 5 min
Across the dam bridge, about 5 min
Just across the lake; has a grocery and a clinic.
Aberdeen
goDoor to door: About 50 min
US-12 west, about 50 min
Regional hub with shopping, dining and the airport.
Door to door: About 1 h
US-12 east then US-81 south, about 1 h
Larger city with the Bramble Park Zoo and more lodging.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Main Street area
Big Stone Motel and a couple of short-term rentals; walk to the lake and café.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $60–90 excl. bed
- Mid
- $90–150 excl. bed
- High
- $150+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Big Stone Motel double room1 × 1 night × US$100 | US$100 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$120 | US$240 |
| Fishing licence (non-resident, 1 day)2 × US$12 · check | US$24 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$36 |
| Trip total≈ US$200 per person per day, bed included | US$400 |
2026 estimate in USD; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at Cottage Inn Cafe | $2–4 |
| Lunch special (burger + fries) | $10–14 |
| Beer at Mac Daddy's | $4–6 |
| Gas (per gallon)check | $3–4 |
| Fishing licence (non-resident, 1 day)check | $12 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No gas station in town: fill up in Milbank or Ortonville.
- Lake levels vary with dam releases; check before launching a boat.
- Winter: most businesses close or reduce hours.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Big Stone CityBig Stone City
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No consulate in Big Stone City. The nearest US embassy services are in Minneapolis (about 2.5 h east).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Aberdeen Airport → Big Stone City: about $60–80 taxi, 50 min (check)
- Milbank → Big Stone City: about $15–20 taxi, 15 min (check)
Say or show
- Hello — Hello (hello)
- Thank you — Thank you (thank you)
- How much? — How much? (how much)
- Where is the lake? — Where is the lake? (where is the lake)
check
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Big Stone City. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Dec–Mar (lake frozen, town quiet) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Lake-access page with boat ramp coordinates, fishing licence info and seasonal ramp conditions.
- Eat pages for Cottage Inn Cafe and Mac Daddy's with hours and menu highlights.
- Sleep page for Big Stone Motel with room types and rates.
Sources
Ask about Big Stone City
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