Major city · United States
Amidon
Skip unless you are bagging the highest point in North Dakota (White Butte) or want to say you stood in the smallest county seat in the US. Half a day is enough.
Amidon, population 20, is the smallest county seat in the United States. It sits in the southwestern North Dakota Badlands, 35 miles south of I-94. The only reason to come is White Butte, the state's highest point, or a stay at the Logging Camp Ranch. The town itself has a grain elevator, a few houses and a firehouse RV park. Most travellers pass through on US 85 between Belfield and Bowman.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–September
- avoid November–March (snow, cold, many facilities closed)
- Airport
- DIK
- 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 Amidon911 ▾
- 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 Amidon, 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.
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.
- AirportDIK Dickinson Theodore Roosevelt Regional Airport (About 45 min north via US 85; rental cars available.).
- 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.
- Sit-down mealSteak dinner at Georgia's and the Owlcheck$20–35
- Budget bedRV site (Firehouse RV Park), a night, per roomUS$30
- Mid-range bedRV site (Firehouse RV Park), a night, per roomUS$40
- High-end bedRV site (Firehouse RV Park), a night, per roomUS$50
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$60 · Mid US$120 · 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
- DIK Dickinson Theodore Roosevelt Regional Airport (About 45 min north via US 85; 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
Avoid
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
Avoid
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Dec
Avoid
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Mar. 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 Jan (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Amidon: 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)
5 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)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
6 rd
Apr
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
7 rd
May
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
9 rd
Jun
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°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)
9 rd
Aug
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
7 rd
Sep
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
6 rd
Oct
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
5 rd
Nov
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
5 rd
Dec
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
−14°C (7°F)7°F (−14°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. The town is walkable in 10 minutes, but White Butte and the Logging Camp Ranch are a few miles out on gravel roads.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
White Butte
goDoor to door: 30 min round trip from Amidon
Drive about 10 min south on US 85, then a gravel road
Highest point in North Dakota; call ahead for permission.
Logging Camp Ranch
goDoor to door: 20 min from Amidon
Drive 1 mi W of Amidon, take Davis Dam exit, follow signs
Working ranch with log cabins, buffalo and bluegrass concerts.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park (South Unit)
goDoor to door: 1 h
Drive north on US 85 about 45 min to Medora
Main Badlands attraction; allow half a day.
Medora
goDoor to door: 1 h
Drive north on US 85 about 45 min
Tourist town with the Medora Musical and the park entrance.
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.
Firehouse RV Park
In town, open May–September, 10 RV sites.
Logging Camp Ranch B&B
18 mi NW of Amidon, working ranch with cabins, full breakfast.
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
- $100–150 excl. bed
- High
- $200+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Logging Camp Ranch cabin (per person)2 × 1 night × US$100 | US$200 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$120 | US$240 |
| Gas from Belfield to Amidon and back1 × US$15 · check | US$15 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$46 |
| Trip total≈ US$251 per person per day, bed included | US$501 |
check
2026 estimate in USD; flights and car rental excluded.
Prices of common things
| Steak dinner at Georgia's and the Owlcheck | $20–35 |
| Gas (per gallon)check | $3.50–4.50 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- White Butte is on private land; call +1 701 879-6310 for permission to hike. If no answer, it's OK to hike but follow trail courtesy.
- No gas station in Amidon; fill up in Belfield or Bowman.
- Cell service is spotty; download maps offline.
- Logging Camp Ranch B&B requires advance booking.
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.
AmidonAmidon
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
The nearest US embassy is in Ottawa, Canada; consulates in Calgary and Vancouver. For domestic travel, no visa needed for US citizens.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- White Butte permission call: +1 701 879-6310
- Dickinson airport to Amidon (taxi): about $80–100, 45 min (check)
Say or show
- Howdy — Hello (how-dee)
- Thanks — Thank you (thanks)
- How much? — How much? (how much)
- Where is White Butte? — Where is White Butte? (where is white butte)
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 Amidon. 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–September · avoid November–March (snow, cold, many facilities closed) · 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
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 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 Amidon
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