Major city · United States
Balta
Skip unless you are driving ND-3 and need a meal or a camping spot: 15 minutes, no sights.
Balta is a 73-person town 16 miles south of the geographic centre of North America. It has a bar and grill, a campground on Davis Lake, and nothing else that would make a traveller stop. Use it as a lunch or fuel break on the drive between Rugby and Harvey.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Nov–Mar (cold, many places close)
- Airports
- MOT · BIS
- 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
Emergency numbers for Balta911 ▾
- 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 Balta, 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 safe; the main risk is winter driving on ND-3.
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.
- AirportMOT Minot International Airport (About 1 h 15 min drive via US-52 and US-83; limited commercial flights.).
- Getting aroundThe town is walkable in 10 minutes.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Budget bedTent site at Davis Lake, a night, per roomUS$10
- Mid-range bedTent site at Davis Lake, a night, per roomUS$15
- High-end bedTent site at Davis Lake, a night, per roomUS$20
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$10 · Mid US$20 · High US$50
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
- MOT Minot International Airport (About 1 h 15 min drive via US-52 and US-83; limited commercial flights.) · BIS Bismarck Municipal Airport (About 2 h drive via I-94 and ND-3; more flight options.)
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
Avoid
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Apr
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
May
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jun
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°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
Avoid
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Dec
Avoid
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)), coolest Jan (−18°C (0°F)0°F (−18°C) low), wettest Jun (11 rain days), driest Jan (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Balta: 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)
−18°C (0°F)0°F (−18°C)
5 rd
Feb
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
−15°C (5°F)5°F (−15°C)
5 rd
Mar
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
6 rd
Apr
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
6 rd
May
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
9 rd
Jun
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°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)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
7 rd
Oct
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
6 rd
Nov
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
5 rd
Dec
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
−15°C (5°F)5°F (−15°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
The town is walkable in 10 minutes. You need a car to reach Davis Lake.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 25 min
ND-3 north, about 20 min
Geographic centre of North America monument and county seat.
Door to door: About 1.5 h
US-52 west then US-83 north, about 1 h 15 min
Largest city in the region; shops, restaurants, airport.
Door to door: About 1.5 h
ND-3 south then US-2 east, about 1 h 10 min
Lake recreation and state park.
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.
Davis Lake
Tent camping and 2 RV sites with electricity; boat ramp. About 3 km (1.9 mi) east of town.Tent camping and 2 RV sites with electricity; boat ramp. About 1.9 mi (3 km) east of town.
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
- $0 (pass through)
- Camping
- $10–20 (camping fee, check)
Trip budget
| Tent site at Davis Lake1 × 1 night × US$10 | US$10 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$10 | US$20 |
| Meal at Balta Bar & Grill2 × US$15 · check | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$6 |
| Trip total≈ US$33 per person per day, bed included | US$66 |
check
2026 estimate in USD. Balta is a pass-through, not a base.
Prices of common things
| Burger and fries at Balta Bar & Grillcheck | $10–15 |
| Camping at Davis Lakecheck | $10–30 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Balta Bar & Grill hours are irregular; call ahead.
- No fuel station in town; fill up in Rugby or Harvey.
- Cell service can be patchy on ND-3.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
BaltaBalta
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
Nearest consulate: check in Minneapolis or Denver.
My embassy: —
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 Balta. 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 (cold, many places close) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Balta
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