North Dakota seasons
The best time to ride a motorcycle in North Dakota
The best time to ride a motorcycle in North Dakota is June through September, with June and September the sweet spots. June brings green badlands and daylight past 9 p.m.; September is crisp and calm, with color in the river valleys. The season runs roughly May through September, and winters are long and severe, so most bikes are stored from late fall to spring.
- Season
- May to September
- Sweet spots
- June and September
- Summer storms
- July and August
- Off-season
- Late fall to spring
The short version
North Dakota has a short, sweet season
North Dakota's riding season is one of the shortest in the lower 48. Roads clear in spring, but cold snaps can linger into May, and the first snow can fly in October. That leaves roughly May through September, with June and September the best of it. The upside is long days: in June you can ride after dinner and still have light.
The west and east ride a little differently. The badlands around Medora are drier, with bigger temperature swings and more wind. The Red River Valley in the east is greener and more humid in summer. The table below breaks it down. For where to ride, see the best motorcycle roads in North Dakota, and for the overview, North Dakota motorcycle rides.
Month by month
The best time to ride a motorcycle in North Dakota, month by month
| Month | West (Badlands, Medora) | Central (Bismarck, Missouri River) | East (Fargo, Sheyenne Valley) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Severe cold. Bikes stored | Severe cold | Severe cold |
| February | Severe cold | Severe cold | Severe cold |
| March | Cold, snow | Cold, snow | Cold, snowmelt |
| April | Cool. Sand and frost damage | Cool. Sand on roads | Cool, wet. Flooding possible |
| May | Good days, cold snaps | Good days, cold snaps | Good days, wet |
| June | Prime. Green badlands | Prime | Prime |
| July | Warm, storms and hail | Warm, storms | Warm, humid, storms |
| August | Hot days. Sturgis traffic | Warm, harvest starts | Warm, harvest starts |
| September | Prime. Crisp and calm | Prime | Prime. Valley color late month |
| October | Cold mornings, snow possible | Cooling fast | Cooling, harvest traffic |
| November | Cold. Season over | Cold | Cold |
| December | Severe cold | Severe cold | Severe cold |
General patterns, not a forecast. Every year is different. Check the weather and NDDOT's 511 travel information before you ride.
Spring
Spring: roads clear, the weather doesn't
April and May are when North Dakota riders get antsy, and when the weather plays games. Warm days alternate with cold snaps and late snow. Roads come out of winter carrying sand, gravel and frost heaves, especially on rural two-lanes and bridges. Snowmelt can flood low roads in the Red River Valley and other river valleys in spring.
Ride the warm afternoons, watch for sand in corners and at intersections, and dress for the temperature at the end of the ride, not the start. By late May the season is usually on.
Summer
Summer: green badlands, long days and storms
June is the best month in the badlands. The grass is green, the bison calves are out in Theodore Roosevelt National Park, and evening light lasts past 9 p.m. It's also when Medora gets busy, with summer visitors through Labor Day.
July and August are warm to hot, with thunderstorms and hail that build quickly over open country. Ride early, watch the sky and know where you'd pull off. In August, riders headed to the Sturgis rally in South Dakota pass through Medora and the western roads. Wheat harvest starts in late summer, so watch for combines and trucks on two-lanes.
Fall
Fall: crisp September, then it's over fast
September is calm, dry and cool, with fewer storms and fewer people. The Sheyenne River valley, the Turtle Mountains and the wooded draws in the badlands turn color in the second half of the month. It's the best time for a long loop.
Harvest runs through fall, with wide equipment on rural roads and dirt tracked onto pavement near fields. Slow down over hill crests where a combine could be on the other side, and watch for deer at dusk. By October mornings are cold and snow is possible, especially in the west.
Winter
Winter: store the bike
North Dakota winters are long and severe, with dangerous wind chill and blizzards that close roads. Nearly every rider stores the bike from November to April. Use the off-season to service the bike, log maintenance and plan next year's routes.
By region
Best months to ride, by North Dakota region
| Region | Best months | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Badlands and Medora | June and September | Hail on summer afternoons |
| Watford City and Lake Sakakawea | June to September | Weekday oilfield truck traffic |
| Bismarck and the Missouri River | June to September | Early spring sand and cold snaps |
| Fargo and the Sheyenne Valley | June to September | Spring flooding |
| Turtle Mountains and the north | June to August | Cold snaps in May and October |
Plan it
Plan your North Dakota riding season with Rippin'
- Weather alertsRippin' sends weather alerts before you ride, and riders flag road hazards on the map. In hail season, that matters. See road and weather alerts.
- Garage and maintenanceLog service and set reminders over the winter so the bike is ready for the first warm day. See garage and maintenance.
- Ride plansShare a ride card with departure time, route, stops and RSVPs, so the crew's June badlands trip actually happens.
- EventsThe season is short, so don't miss it. See North Dakota motorcycle events.
FAQ
Questions riders ask.
What is the best month to ride a motorcycle in North Dakota?
June or September. June is green with long days, and September is calm and crisp with fall color in the valleys.
When is motorcycle season in North Dakota?
Roughly May through September. Cold snaps can hit in May and October, and winter parks nearly every bike.
When is the best time to visit Theodore Roosevelt National Park on a motorcycle?
June and September. June is green and lively with wildlife; September is quieter. Check the park's road status first, since parts of the South Unit loop have been closed for repairs.
When is harvest in North Dakota?
Wheat harvest starts in late summer, and other crops run through fall. Expect wide farm equipment on rural roads from August into October.
Does it hail in North Dakota in summer?
Yes. July and August thunderstorms often bring hail. Check radar before you leave and watch the sky.
Can you ride a motorcycle in North Dakota in winter?
Almost never. Winters are long, with severe wind chill and blizzards. Most riders store the bike from November to April.
Make the short season count.
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