Overview
Dawson is a very small town of 75 people in the Coteaus and Plains area of North Dakota.
2 sights · 2 things to do · 1 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Dawson
Veterans Memorial Wall
Veterans memorial wall honoring 1,010 veterans from the Crimean War to the Gulf War. M60A3 tank on grounds.
Slade National Wildlife Refuge
A great destination for birders looking for waterfowl and nesting grassland birds.
Lake Isabel
Fishing pier. Pike and perch.
Camp Grassick
Operated by the Elks of North Dakota, provides camp services for developmentally challenged children and adults.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 82°F; winter lows dip to about -6°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Mar, Nov, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jun and Jul. (climate data from nearby New Rockford)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- BIS Bismarck Municipal Airport, Bismarck — 47 mi away. Directions
- JMS Jamestown Regional Airport, Jamestown — 51 mi away. Directions
Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Veterans Memorial Wall, Slade National Wildlife Refuge
- Lunch Dawson Cafe
- Afternoon Lake Isabel, Camp Grassick
- Evening Don's Bar
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Get in
- By car: about 50 miles east of Bismarck. Exit 208 south off I-94 on state route 3.
See
See Veterans Memorial Wall
Veterans memorial wall honoring 1,010 veterans from the Crimean War to the Gulf War. M60A3 tank on grounds.
Do
Eat
Drink
Sleep
Nearest public accommodations are in Steele.
Nearby
Steele
City / town · 13 listings · 8 mi away
Bowdon
City / town · 6 listings · 42 mi away
Linton
City / town · 3 listings · 47 mi away
Bismarck
City / town · 50 listings · 49 mi away
Jamestown
City / town · 35 listings · 50 mi away
Carrington
City / town · 32 listings · 50 mi away
Mandan
City / town · 13 listings · 54 mi away
Strasburg
City / town · 6 listings · 54 mi away
My experience
Write about your trip here. Notes save automatically in this browser as you type; back them up from My journal.