Major city · United States
BeachBeach, North Dakota
One night, not a base: Beach is an I-94 exit-1 fuel-and-bed stop for the Badlands, with two small museums and no town centre to wander.
Beach sits at North Dakota's western edge, off I-94 exit 1, about 20 minutes from Medora and the Painted Canyon entrance to Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Population is around 1,000. There is a county museum, a pottery studio, a handful of bars and motels, and three fishing dams within 15 km. Treat it as a bed and a meal on the way in or out of the Badlands, not a destination in itself.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Nov–Mar (snow, closures, -20 °C (−4 °F) nights)avoid Nov–Mar (snow, closures, −4 °F (-20 °C) nights)
- Airport
- 20U
- 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.
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 Beach911 ▾
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 Beach, 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; the real risks are winter driving on I-94, long distances between services and wildlife on the road at dusk.
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 · 511 North Dakota road conditions
- 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.
- Airport20U Beach Airport (grass strip, no scheduled service) (Private and charter only…
- 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 and a diner breakfast$8–15
- BeerBeer at a Main St bar$4–7
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entrycheckFree–$5
- Budget bedFamily room (up to 4), a night, per roomUS$120
- Mid-range bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$110
- High-end bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$160
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$60 · Mid US$110 · 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
- 20U Beach Airport (grass strip, no scheduled service) (Private and charter only; the nearest commercial airports are Dickinson (DIK) and Williston (XWA), both about 1 h by car.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
Feb
Avoid
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
Mar
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Apr
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
May
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jun
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jul
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Aug
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Sep
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Oct
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Nov
Avoid
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Dec
Avoid
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Jan (−14°C (7°F)7°F (−14°C) low), wettest Jun (11 rain days), driest Jan (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Beach: 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
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
−14°C (7°F)7°F (−14°C)
5 rd
Feb
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
−12°C (10°F)10°F (−12°C)
5 rd
Mar
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
6 rd
Apr
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
8 rd
May
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
10 rd
Jun
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
11 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
8 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
7 rd
Sep
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°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
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
5 rd
Dec
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
−12°C (10°F)10°F (−12°C)
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
You need a car. Beach has no bus or rail service; I-94 exit 1 is the only interchange. Downtown is walkable in about 10 minutes, but the dams, the museum and Medora all require driving. Fuel up here or in Medora before heading into the park.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 30 min
I-94 east to exit 24, about 20 min
The reason most people stop here: Painted Canyon overlook is free and open year-round; the park's south unit loop is a half day.
Bowman
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h 40 min
US-85 south then ND-12 west, about 1 h 30 min
A full day out with little between the towns; go only if you are heading south anyway.
Watford City
overnightDoor to door: About 2 h 15 min
I-94 east to ND-85 north, about 2 h
Gateway to the north unit of the park; too far for a comfortable return day.
Belfield
skipDoor to door: About 45 min
I-94 east, about 35 min
Nothing to justify the drive unless you need fuel or a diner.
Alexander
skipDoor to door: About 2 h
ND-16 north then ND-68 east, about 1 h 45 min
Small town with a lake nearby; not worth the round trip from Beach.
Cartwright, North Dakota
skipDoor to door: About 1 h 10 min
ND-16 north, about 1 h
A crossroads with a bar; only useful if you are crossing into Montana.
Amidon
skipDoor to door: About 1 h 25 min
US-85 south, about 1 h 15 min
County seat with a small museum; a detour, not a day out.
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 1 strip
Motels and the truck-stop restaurant cluster at the interchange; the practical choice for one night with a car.
Downtown Beach (Main St and 1st Ave)
A few blocks of bars, the museum and the pottery studio; quiet after dark, walkable in 10 minutes.
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
| Motel double room1 × 1 night × US$110 | US$110 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$110 | US$220 |
| Fuel, 200 km of driving1 × US$25 · check | US$25 |
| Theodore Roosevelt NP south unit entry, 7 days1 × US$30 · check | US$30 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$42 |
| Trip total≈ US$229 per person per day, bed included | US$457 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; sales tax added at checkout. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee and a diner breakfast | $8–15 |
| Burger and fries | $12–18 |
| Beer at a Main St bar | $4–7 |
| Motel double room, summer2026 estimate; rates rise in the Medora high season. | $70–160 |
| Fuel, per galloncheck | $3.00–3.60 |
| Museum entrycheck | Free–$5 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Distances are long: the next town east with services is Medora, about 20 minutes; Dickinson is about 45 minutes.
- Winter storms close I-94 without much warning; check the state road report before driving.
- Cell coverage is patchy on the back roads north and south of town.
- Most kitchens close by 21:00; the truck-stop restaurant at the interchange runs later.Most kitchens close by 9:00 PM; the truck-stop restaurant at the interchange runs later.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- North Dakota road conditions
- 511
Pocket card
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BeachBeach, North Dakota
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- North Dakota road conditions511
Embassy
No consulates in Beach; the nearest are in Denver or Minneapolis. US travellers: 911. International travellers: check your embassy in Washington, DC.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Beach → Medora by car: about 20 min, 25 km (16 mi)about 20 min, 16 mi (25 km)
- Beach → Dickinson by car: about 45 min, 60 km (37 mi)about 45 min, 37 mi (60 km)
- Beach → Theodore Roosevelt NP Painted Canyon: about 25 min, 30 km (19 mi)about 25 min, 19 mi (30 km)
Say or show
- Where is the nearest gas station? — Where is the nearest gas station?
- A table for two, please — A table for two, please
- How much is it? — How much is it?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Is the road open? — Is the road open?
Print this card before you drive; cell coverage is patchy outside town.
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 Beach. 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 Nov–Mar (snow, closures, -20 °C nights) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 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 DIK and XWA: last rental-car desk hours, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking cluster map for downtown Beach: museum, pottery studio, bars, motels.
- Place pages with verified seasonal hours (Golden Valley County Museum, Prairie Fire Pottery) and eat pages with last orders.
- Winter closure and I-94 storm fixtures so the page can go green for a snow-season arrival.