Major city · United States
Jamestown, North DakotaJamestown
Stop for one night on I-94 between Fargo and Bismarck: the 26-ft buffalo, Frontier Village and the bison herd fill a half-day.
Jamestown is a small prairie city of about 15,800 people, roughly midway between Fargo and Bismarck on I-94. It is known as The Buffalo City for the 60-ton cement buffalo, Dakota Thunder, and the live bison herd beside it. Most travellers use it as a one-night break on a cross-country drive; the sights sit in one cluster off Exit 258, so a car is the practical way to see them.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- avoid Dec–Feb (snow, ice, wind chill)
- Airports
- JMS · FAR · BIS
- Nights
- 1
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 Jamestown, North Dakota911 ▾
- 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 Jamestown, North Dakota, 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
- SafetyLow street crime; the real risks are winter driving, long empty stretches between towns and summer storms.
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.
- AirportJMS Jamestown Regional Airport (About 2.5 mi NW of town; United Express (SkyWest) nonstop to Denver, and a listed link to Devils Lake…
- Getting aroundA car is the practical choice: sights are spread along I-94 exits 256, 258 and 260.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$2–5 (check)
- Street or quick mealDiner breakfast$10–16 (check)
- Beerdraught in a bar / can at a store$5–8$2–4 (check)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)5 mi taxi ride$12–18 (check)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week$10–25 (check)
- Museum or sight ticketBison center adult entry$8
- Budget bedCampground pitch (RV or tent), a night, per roomUS$12
- Mid-range bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$120
- High-end bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$200
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$70 · Mid US$130 · High US$220
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
- JMS Jamestown Regional Airport (About 2.5 mi NW of town; United Express (SkyWest) nonstop to Denver, and a listed link to Devils Lake — check the Devils Lake leg before booking.) · FAR Hector International, Fargo (About 100 mi east on I-94; the usual gateway for a wider choice of flights.) · BIS Bismarck Municipal (About 100 mi west on I-94.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
Feb
Avoid
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
Mar
not flagged
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Apr
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
May
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Jun
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jul
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Aug
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Sep
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Oct
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Nov
not flagged
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Dec
Avoid
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
Best: Jun–Sep. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)), coolest Jan (−17°C (1°F)1°F (−17°C) low), wettest Jun (11 rain days), driest Feb (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Jamestown, North Dakota: 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)19°F (−7°C)
−17°C (1°F)1°F (−17°C)
7 rd
Feb
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
−15°C (5°F)5°F (−15°C)
6 rd
Mar
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
7 rd
Apr
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
8 rd
May
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
10 rd
Jun
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
11 rd
Jul
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
9 rd
Aug
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
8 rd
Sep
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
8 rd
Oct
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
7 rd
Nov
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
6 rd
Dec
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
−15°C (5°F)5°F (−15°C)
7 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
A car is the practical choice: sights are spread along I-94 exits 256, 258 and 260. Jamestown Taxi Service covers the town if you arrive by air. Downtown is small enough to walk once parked.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Valley City
goDoor to door: About 40 min (check)
I-94 east, about 35 mi
Sheyenne River valley and a walkable Main Street; easy half-day.
Carrington
cautionDoor to door: About 50 min (check)
US 281 north, about 45 mi
Prairie town with limited services; a drive-through stop rather than a sight.
Door to door: About 1 h 40 min (check)
I-94 east then ND-32 south, about 90 mi
Long for a return day; pair it with a Valley City stop.
Edgeley
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h (check)
US 281 south, about 55 mi
Small town; only worth it if you are heading south anyway.
Door to door: About 1 h 40 min
I-94 west, about 100 mi
State capital with the capitol grounds and Missouri River; sleep there, do not rush back.
Cooperstown, North Dakota
cautionDoor to door: Check the route and drive time
ND-20 north then ND-200
Rural drive with few services; check the tank and the map before leaving.
Steele
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h 15 min (check)
I-94 west then ND-3 north, about 65 mi
Small prairie stop; combine with the Bismarck run.
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.
I-94 Exit 258 / 20th St SW
Chain motels and the Buffalo Mall; easiest for one night with a car.
Downtown / 1st Ave S
Gladstone Inn and older buildings; walkable to a few restaurants and bars.
Frontier Village area
Campground beside the buffalo and Frontier Village, April–November.
Jamestown Reservoir
Lakeside campground with cabins and RV hookups, May–October.
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
- $70–110 excl. bed
- Mid
- $110–180 excl. bed
- High
- $180+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel double room1 × 1 night × US$120 | US$120 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$130 | US$260 |
| Bison center adult entry2 × US$8 | US$16 |
| Car fuel, 200 mi at 30 mpg1 × US$25 · 2026 estimate; check | US$25 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 · 2026 estimate; check | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$45 |
| Trip total≈ US$248 per person per day, bed included | US$496 |
2026 estimate; check
2026 estimate in US dollars; sales tax added at the till. Bed, fuel, taxi and eSIM figures are estimates — check current rates. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $2–5 (check) |
| Diner breakfast | $10–16 (check) |
| Burger or plate lunch | $12–20 (check) |
| Beer: draught in a bar / can at a store | $5–8 / $2–4 (check) |
| 5 mi taxi ride | $12–18 (check) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | $10–25 (check) |
| Bison center adult entry | $8 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Winter driving: I-94 can close in blizzards; check the North Dakota DOT road report before setting out.
- Distances are long and cell coverage is thin between towns; fill the tank in Jamestown.
- Some sights are seasonal or by appointment: the State Hospital Museum needs a booking, and the bison center keeps seasonal hours.
- Summer storms can bring hail and high wind; have a sheltered plan.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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Jamestown, North DakotaJamestown
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No embassies in Jamestown; consulates sit in Minneapolis or Chicago. US travellers: your own state's services apply.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Taxi in town: about $12–18 for 5 mi (check)
- Fuel, Jamestown to Bismarck: about $12–18 one way (check)
- Bison center entry: $8 adults
Say or show
- Thank you — Thank you
- Where is the buffalo statue? — Where is the buffalo statue?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Is it far? — Is it far?
- One night, please — One night, please
- Where is the toilet? — Where is the toilet?
Tipping: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink, 15–20% taxis.
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 Jamestown, North Dakota. 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: Jun–Sep · avoid Dec–Feb (snow, ice, wind chill) · month by month →
- 3 airports and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 7 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for JMS: United Express arrival times field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: Frontier Village and the bison center, downtown 1st Ave, the reservoir.
- Place pages with verified hours (Frontier Village, bison center, State Hospital Museum) and eat pages with last orders.
- Winter and storm arrival fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
Ask about Jamestown, North Dakota
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