Major city · United States
WashburnWashburn, North Dakota
Washburn is a 30-minute stop for the McLean County Museum and Riverside Park, not a base. Half a day is enough; sleep in Bismarck or Minot.
Washburn is a small town on the Missouri River in the Lakes and Gardens region of North Dakota. Its main draws are the McLean County Museum and the riverside park. Most travellers pass through on US 83 between Bismarck and Minot. The town has one motel and a café; plan for a short stop, not an overnight stay.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Dec–Feb (cold, snow)
- Airports
- BIS · MOT
- Nights
- 0
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
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Washburn911 ▾
- 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 Washburn, 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
- SafetyWashburn is a quiet small town with very 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.
- AirportBIS Bismarck Municipal Airport (About 45 min south via US 83; rental cars available.).
- Getting aroundWashburn is walkable for the museum and park.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at Cafe 77$3–5
- Museum or sight ticketMcLean County Museum entrycheck$5
- Budget bedScotwood Motel, double room, a night, per roomUS$70
- Mid-range bedScotwood Motel, double room, a night, per roomUS$90
- High-end bedScotwood Motel, double room, a night, per roomUS$120
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$50 · Mid US$80 · High US$120
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
- BIS Bismarck Municipal Airport (About 45 min south via US 83; rental cars available.) · MOT Minot International Airport (About 1 h north via US 83; rental cars available.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
Feb
Avoid
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
Mar
not flagged
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°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
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Aug
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°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
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Jan (−16°C (3°F)3°F (−16°C) low), wettest Jun (11 rain days), driest Feb (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Washburn: 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
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
−16°C (3°F)3°F (−16°C)
6 rd
Feb
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
−14°C (7°F)7°F (−14°C)
5 rd
Mar
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
7 rd
Apr
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
8 rd
May
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
10 rd
Jun
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
11 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
9 rd
Aug
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
8 rd
Sep
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
7 rd
Oct
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
6 rd
Nov
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
5 rd
Dec
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
−14°C (7°F)7°F (−14°C)
6 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
Washburn is walkable for the museum and park. A car is needed to reach Cross Ranch State Park or any other nearby attraction.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 20 min
Car, about 10 min south on US 83 then west on gravel roads
Hiking, fishing, and a preserved ranch; check park hours.
Door to door: About 1 h
Car, US 83 north
Scandinavian Heritage Park and the Dakota Territory Air Museum.
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.
Scotwood Motel by OYO Washburn
The only motel in town, on the highway; basic, no frills.
Bismarck
45 min south; more choices and restaurants.
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
- $50–80 excl. bed
- Mid
- $80–120 excl. bed
- High
- $120+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Scotwood Motel, double room1 × 1 night × US$90 | US$90 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$80 | US$160 |
| McLean County Museum entry2 × US$5 · check | US$10 |
| Coffee at Cafe 772 × US$4 | US$8 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$27 |
| Trip total≈ US$148 per person per day, bed included | US$295 |
check
2026 estimate in USD; flights and car rental excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at Cafe 77 | $3–5 |
| McLean County Museum entrycheck | $5 |
| Motel double roomcheck | $70–120 |
| Gas (per gallon)check | $3.50–4.50 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The museum and café have limited hours; check ahead.
- No gas station or grocery store confirmed open late; fill up in Bismarck or Minot.
- Winter driving on US 83 can be hazardous; check road conditions.
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.
WashburnWashburn, North Dakota
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bismarck Airport → Washburn: about 45 min by car (rental or taxi, check)
- Minot Airport → Washburn: about 1 h by car (rental or taxi, check)
Say or show
- Hello — Hello
- Thank you — Thank you
- How much is it? — How much is it?
- Where is the museum? — Where is the museum?
English is universally spoken; no phrasebook needed.
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 Washburn. 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–Feb (cold, snow) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for McLean County Museum and Riverside Park with verified hours.
- Eat page for Cafe 77 with last-order time.
- Cross Ranch State Park page with trail and fee details.
Sources
Ask about Washburn
Loading…
Was this useful?