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Major city · United States

Dawson

Skip unless you're a dedicated birder or war-memorial enthusiast: 30 minutes max, no lodging, no restaurant open daily.

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

Dawson is a 75-person town on I-94 in central North Dakota, 50 miles east of Bismarck. Its two draws — the Veterans Memorial Wall and the Slade National Wildlife Refuge — are each a 10-minute stop. There is no hotel, no bank, and the cafe's hours are uncertain. Most travellers will pass through on the interstate without stopping.

basic guide: no trip line yet
More
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
USD
Best months
May–Sep
avoid Dec–Feb (cold, refuge access limited)
Airport
BIS
Nights
0

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide for Dawson: no airport-to-bed path, walking clusters or day plans yet. Fares and schedules here are unverified. What this page does cover
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

Checking your follows…
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

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 Dawson911 ▾
  • 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 Dawson, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers
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.

Veterans Memorial Wall with M60A3 tankSlade National Wildlife Refuge (waterfowl)Lake Isabel fishing pier
Airports
BIS Bismarck Municipal Airport (About 50 miles west via I-94; rental car needed.)

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Avoid

    −7°C (19°F)

  2. Feb

    Avoid

    −4°C (25°F)

  3. Mar

    not flagged

    3°C (37°F)

  4. Apr

    not flagged

    13°C (55°F)

  5. May

    Best

    20°C (68°F)

  6. Jun

    Best

    25°C (77°F)

  7. Jul

    Best

    29°C (84°F)

  8. Aug

    Best

    28°C (82°F)

  9. Sep

    Best

    22°C (72°F)

  10. Oct

    not flagged

    14°C (57°F)

  11. Nov

    not flagged

    3°C (37°F)

  12. Dec

    Avoid

    −5°C (23°F)

Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →

Warmest Jul (29°C (84°F)), coolest Jan (−18°C (0°F) low), wettest Jun (11 rain days), driest Jan (5). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Dawson: 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

−7°C (19°F)

−18°C (0°F)

5 rd

Feb

−4°C (25°F)

−15°C (5°F)

5 rd

Mar

3°C (37°F)

−8°C (18°F)

6 rd

Apr

13°C (55°F)

0°C (32°F)

7 rd

May

20°C (68°F)

7°C (45°F)

9 rd

Jun

25°C (77°F)

13°C (55°F)

11 rd

Jul

29°C (84°F)

16°C (61°F)

9 rd

Aug

28°C (82°F)

14°C (57°F)

8 rd

Sep

22°C (72°F)

8°C (46°F)

7 rd

Oct

14°C (57°F)

1°C (34°F)

6 rd

Nov

3°C (37°F)

−8°C (18°F)

5 rd

Dec

−5°C (23°F)

−16°C (3°F)

5 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

Car only. I-94 exit 208, then state route 3. No public transport.

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time
Steelego

Door to door: 15 min

I-94 east, 10 miles

Nearest lodging and dining.

Bismarckgo

Door to door: 50 min

I-94 west, 50 miles

State capital with museums, riverwalk, hotels.

Jamestowngo

Door to door: 40 min

I-94 east, 40 miles

Frontier Village and the World's Largest Buffalo.

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.

Steele

Nearest town with motels, 10 miles east on I-94.

Bismarck

Full hotel range, 50 miles west.

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

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
$0 (pass-through stop)
Mid
$0 (pass-through stop)
High
$0 (pass-through stop)

Watch out

Safety

Very safe; the only risk is winter driving on I-94.
  • Dawson Cafe hours are check: call ahead or plan to eat in Steele or Bismarck.
  • No fuel station in town; fill up in Steele or Bismarck.
  • Slade National Wildlife Refuge has no visitor centre; bring binoculars and water.

Emergency numbers

Police, Fire, Ambulance
911

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

DawsonDawson

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

To this address, pleaseTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police, Fire, Ambulance911

Embassy

No consulate in Dawson; nearest US passport services in Bismarck (check).

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Bismarck → Dawson, I-94: about 50 miles, 50 min by car
  • Steele → Dawson, I-94: about 10 miles, 15 min by car

Say or show

  • Hello — Hello (hello)
  • Thank you — Thank you (thank you)
  • Where is the Veterans Memorial Wall? — Where is the Veterans Memorial Wall? (Where is the Veterans Memorial Wall?)
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 Dawson. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: May–Sep · avoid Dec–Feb (cold, refuge access limited) · month by month →
  2. 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 3 day-trips, door to door
  6. 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
  2. Walking clusters with bag rules
  3. Day plans checked against opening hours
  4. Field-verified times and fares

Meanwhile

Back to United States

Sources

Ask about Dawson

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