Major city · United States
Cartwright
Skip Cartwright unless you are a dedicated ghost-town or tunnel explorer: the only tunnel in North Dakota is here, but there is no food, fuel or lodging. A 30-minute stop on a Badlands road trip is enough.
Cartwright is a ranching hamlet of about 30 people on the Yellowstone River, best known for the Fairview Lift Bridge and Cartwright Tunnel — the only tunnel in North Dakota. There are no public eateries, shops or hotels. It works as a 30-minute photo stop if you are driving ND-200 between Sidney (MT) and Watford City.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Dec–Feb (snow and cold)
- Airport
- SDY
- 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 Cartwright911 ▾
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 Cartwright, 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 main risks are wildlife on the road (deer, cattle) and the unlit tunnel interior.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police · 911 fire and 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.
- AirportSDY Sidney-Richland Municipal Airport (About 15 min drive southwest in Sidney, MT; general aviation 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 at a gas stationcheckUS$2–3
- Budget bedMotel in Sidney, MT, a night, per roomUS$80
- Mid-range bedMotel in Sidney, MT, a night, per roomUS$110
- High-end bedMotel in Sidney, MT, a night, per roomUS$160
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$1 · Mid US$1 · High US$1
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
- SDY Sidney-Richland Municipal Airport (About 15 min drive southwest in Sidney, MT; general aviation only. Commercial flights use Williston (XWA) or Dickinson (DIK).)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
Feb
Avoid
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
Mar
not flagged
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°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
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
not flagged
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Dec
Avoid
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Jan (−17°C (1°F)1°F (−17°C) low), wettest Jun (11 rain days), driest Feb (4). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Cartwright: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
−17°C (1°F)1°F (−17°C)
5 rd
Feb
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
−14°C (7°F)7°F (−14°C)
4 rd
Mar
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°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)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
9 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)
8 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
7 rd
Sep
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
6 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
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°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. Cartwright has no public transport. ND-200 runs through town; the bridge and tunnel are 2 miles west.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Fairview Lift Bridge and Cartwright Tunnel
goDoor to door: 5 min
Drive 2 miles west on ND-200; park at the pull-off
The bridge is open as a walking trail; the tunnel is about 1,458 ft long and unlit.
Sidney, Montana
goDoor to door: 15 min
Drive 11 miles southwest on ND-200
Closest town for fuel, food and lodging.
Door to door: 35 min
Drive 30 miles east on ND-200
Larger town with hotels, restaurants and access to the Badlands.
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.
Sidney, Montana
11 miles southwest; the closest town with motels and services.
Watford City
About 30 miles east on ND-200; more lodging and dining options.
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
- US$0 (no services)
- Mid
- US$0 (no services)
- High
- US$0 (no services)
Trip budget
| Motel in Sidney, MT1 × 1 night × US$110 | US$110 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$1 | US$2 |
| Fuel fill-up (Sidney or Watford City)1 × US$50 · check | US$50 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$16 |
| Trip total≈ US$89 per person per day, bed included | US$178 |
check
2026 estimate; no costs in Cartwright itself. Fuel and meals in Sidney or Watford City.
Prices of common things
| Fuel (per gallon)check; prices in Sidney or Watford City | US$3.50–4.50 |
| Coffee at a gas stationcheck | US$2–3 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No fuel, food or lodging in Cartwright — fill up and eat before you arrive.
- The tunnel is unlit and unpaved inside; bring a flashlight and wear sturdy shoes.
- Cell service is spotty along ND-200 west of Cartwright.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 911
- Fire and ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
CartwrightCartwright
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police911
- Fire and ambulance911
Embassy
The nearest US embassy is in Ottawa, Canada; consulates in Calgary and Vancouver. For domestic travel, no embassy needed.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Sidney, MT → Cartwright: about 15 min, no public transport
- Watford City → Cartwright: about 35 min, no public transport
Say or show
- Hello — Hello (hello)
- Thank you — Thank you (thank you)
- Where is the tunnel? — Where is the tunnel? (where is the tunnel)
No services in Cartwright; plan ahead.
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 Cartwright. 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 (snow and cold) · 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
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a verified opening-hours note for the bridge/tunnel (currently open as a walking trail, no gate).
- Include a photo of the tunnel entrance for the place page.
- Link to a Sidney, MT page for the nearest services.
Sources
Ask about Cartwright
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