Territory capital · United States
Lisbon, North DakotaLisbon
Go only as a half-day stop on the Sheyenne Valley drive: 2–3 hours for the river and the speedway on a race night, then sleep in Valley City or Fargo.
Lisbon is a small farming town of about 2,150 people on the Sheyenne River in southeast North Dakota, at the junction of ND-32 and ND-27. It is the south end of the Sheyenne Valley Scenic Byway. There is one real draw — dirt-track racing at the Ransom County Fairgrounds from May to September — plus river access and a bar and grill on Main Street. Treat it as a two-to-three-hour stop between Fargo and the byway towns; beds exist but are few, so most travellers sleep in Valley City or Fargo.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Sep (racing season); Jun–Sep for the byway
- avoid Dec–Mar (ice, snow, closed seasonal venues)
- Airports
- 6L3 · FAR
- Nights
- 0–1
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
Emergency numbers for Lisbon, North Dakota911 ▾
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 Lisbon, North Dakota, 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
- SafetyA quiet, low-crime farm town; the genuine risks are winter roads, long empty drives and wildlife on the highway 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 (NDDOT)
- 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.
- Airport6L3 Lisbon Municipal Airport (Small general-aviation field; no scheduled airline service.
- 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.
- Coffee$2–4
- Beerdraught in a bar / can at a gas station$5–7$2–3
- Museum or sight ticketSpeedway admission (adult / senior / child 6–12)Under 6 free; race nights from 18:30, May–Sep (check)Under 6 free; race nights from 6:30 PM, May–Sep (check)$8$7$4
- Budget bedSmall-town motel double room, a night, per roomUS$70
- Mid-range bedSmall-town motel double room, a night, per roomUS$110
- High-end bedSmall-town motel 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
- 6L3 Lisbon Municipal Airport (Small general-aviation field; no scheduled airline service. Most visitors arrive by car.) · FAR Hector International, Fargo (Nearest airport with scheduled flights, about 1 h 15 min by car via I-29 and ND-46 (check).)
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
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°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
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Nov
not flagged
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Dec
Avoid
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Dec–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 Feb (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Lisbon, North Dakota: 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)
7 rd
Feb
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
−15°C (5°F)5°F (−15°C)
6 rd
Mar
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
7 rd
Apr
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
8 rd
May
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
10 rd
Jun
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°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)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
8 rd
Sep
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
8 rd
Oct
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
7 rd
Nov
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
6 rd
Dec
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
−14°C (7°F)7°F (−14°C)
7 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. Lisbon sits at the junction of ND-32 and ND-27; from I-94 take exit 302 and drive south about 39 miles. From Fargo, I-29 south 17 miles, then ND-46 west 41 miles, then ND-32 south. In town everything is a short drive or a walk along Main Street; there is no local bus service.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Valley City
goDoor to door: About 45 min
North on the Sheyenne Valley Scenic Byway (ND-32), about 45 min
More beds, food and the byway's main stop; pair it with Lisbon in one drive.
Cooperstown
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h 30 min
North on ND-32 through the Sheyenne valley
The north end of the byway; a long way for a short stop — do it as part of the full drive.
Jamestown
goDoor to door: About 1 h 15 min
South and west via ND-27 and I-94
Buffalo museum and more services; a better overnight than Lisbon.
Fargo
goDoor to door: About 1 h 15 min
ND-46 east to I-29, then south
Nearest big-city airport, hotels 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.
Lisbon town centre
A handful of small motels and guest rooms near Main Street; book ahead in race season. Most travellers sleep in Valley City or Fargo instead.
Valley City
About 45 min north on the byway; more beds, restaurants and services.
Fargo
About 1 h 15 min east; the practical base if Lisbon is a day stop on a longer drive.
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
- $60–100 excl. bed
- Mid
- $100–170 excl. bed
- High
- $170+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Small-town motel double room1 × 1 night × US$110 | US$110 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$110 | US$220 |
| Fuel, Fargo return (about 250 km)1 × US$30 · check | US$30 |
| Speedway admission, adult2 × US$8 · check | US$16 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$41 |
| Trip total≈ US$224 per person per day, bed included | US$447 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; car and fuel excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $2–4 |
| Bar-and-grill burger with fries | $12–18 |
| Beer: draught in a bar / can at a gas station | $5–7 / $2–3 |
| Speedway admission (adult / senior / child 6–12)Under 6 free; race nights from 18:30, May–Sep (check)Under 6 free; race nights from 6:30 PM, May–Sep (check) | $8 / $7 / $4 |
| Motel double room | $70–160 |
| Fuel, per US galloncheck; volatile — budget on the high end for the long drives here | $3–4 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Distances are long and services are thin: fill the tank in Valley City, Fargo or Wahpeton before you turn off the interstate.
- Winter driving is the real hazard — ice, drifting snow and road closures on ND-32 and ND-46; check the state road report before setting out.
- Cell coverage is patchy on the back roads; download offline maps.
- Race nights at the fairgrounds are loud and dusty; bring a jacket and expect a gravel car park.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- North Dakota road conditions (NDDOT)
- 511
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
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Lisbon, North DakotaLisbon
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 North Dakota; embassies and consulates-general are in Washington, DC, Chicago and Minneapolis (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Fargo → Lisbon by car: about 1 h 15 min, roughly 100 km (62 mi) (check)about 1 h 15 min, roughly 62 mi (100 km) (check)
- Speedway admission, adult: $8, race nights from 18:30, May–Sep (check)$8, race nights from 6:30 PM, May–Sep (check)
Say or show
- Thank you — Thank you
- Where's the gas station? — Where is the gas station?
- Do you take cards? — Can I pay by card?
- Is there a motel in town? — Is there a motel in town?
Tipping: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink, 15–20% taxis. Prices are shown before sales tax.
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 Lisbon, North Dakota. 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 (racing season); Jun–Sep for the byway · avoid Dec–Mar (ice, snow, closed seasonal venues) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 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
- Airport-to-bed contract for FAR: last sensible departure, car-hire desk hours, overnight rung in Fargo.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Main Street, the Sheyenne River access, the fairgrounds, the highway junction.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (speedway race nights, river access, town museum) and eat pages with last orders.
- Winter and hostile-arrival fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialCity of Lisbon, North Dakota
- officialLisbon official site
- officialSheyenne Speedway
- secondaryWikivoyage: Lisbon (North Dakota), revision 5277102 (CC BY-SA 4.0)