Major city · United States
Zap
Skip unless you're driving the Enchanted Highway or need a quiet stop between Lake Sakakawea and I-94: 30 minutes, no sights.
Zap is a 237-person town in Western North Dakota, 25 miles north of I-94 and 15 miles south of Lake Sakakawea. It has a grocery-grill, two bars and a city-park RV area. Most travellers pass through in under an hour; the town works as a fuel-and-snack stop or a base for fishing the lake.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Dec–Feb (cold, limited services)
- 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 Zap911 ▾
- 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 Zap, 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.
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 1 h 15 min drive via I-94 and ND-200).
- 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.
- BeerDraft beer at Lignite Barcheck$4–6
- Budget bedTent site (Zap City Park), a night, per roomUS$15
- Mid-range bedRV site with full hookup (Zap City Park), a night, per roomUS$30
- High-end bedRV site with full hookup (Zap City Park), a night, per roomUS$35
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$50 · Mid US$100 · 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
- BIS Bismarck Municipal Airport (About 1 h 15 min drive via I-94 and ND-200) · MOT Minot International Airport (About 1 h 30 min drive via US-83 and ND-200)
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
Zap: 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)
−13°C (9°F)9°F (−13°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)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°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
You need a car. The town is walkable in 15 minutes; everything else requires driving.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Lake Sakakawea
goDoor to door: 20 min
Drive north on ND-200 about 15 min
Fishing, boating, camping; Beaver Bay Recreation Area.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park (North Unit)
goDoor to door: 1 h 15 min
Drive west on ND-200 about 1 h
Bison, scenic drive, short hikes; entry fee applies.
Beulah
goDoor to door: 20 min
Drive east on ND-200 about 15 min
Larger town with gas, groceries and restaurants.
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.
Zap City Park
RV sites and tent camping in the city park; book by phone.
Beaver Bay Recreation Area
Primitive campground north of town near Lake Sakakawea.
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
- $80–150 excl. bed
- High
- $150+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| RV site with full hookup (Zap City Park)1 × 1 night × US$25 | US$25 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$50 | US$100 |
| Meal at T & G Grocery & Grill2 × US$15 · check | US$30 |
| Beer at Lignite Bar2 × US$5 · check | US$10 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$17 |
| Trip total≈ US$91 per person per day, bed included | US$182 |
check
2026 estimate in USD; flights and car rental excluded.
Prices of common things
| Meal at T & G Grocery & Grillcheck | $10–20 |
| Draft beer at Lignite Barcheck | $4–6 |
| RV site with full hookupcheck | $25–35 |
| Tent sitecheck | $15–25 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No gas station in town: fill up in Beulah or Hazen before heading north.
- Cell service can be patchy; download maps offline.
- Bars and the grill may close early or be closed on Sundays: call ahead.
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.
ZapZap
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Take me hereTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Zap to Beulah (ND-200): about 15 min drive
- Zap to Theodore Roosevelt NP (North Unit): about 1 h drive
Say or show
- Howdy — Hello
- Thanks — Thank you
- How much? — How much is it?
- Where's the nearest gas station? — Where is the gas station?
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 Zap. 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, limited services) · 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
- 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
- officialZap official website
- secondaryWikivoyage: Zap, revision 5104338 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Zap
Loading…
Was this useful?