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Hampden, ND

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North Dakota is home to all four seasons, and with a vengeance. It is also often windy during all seasons of the year. Please take note of the current weather and bring the necessary clothing an items. If you're not sure what to bring, feel free to contact us. This page contains information you might want to know when planning your trip.

The Weather Here:

Make sure you pack accordingly!


	Getting Here: We're not located in any sort of tourist or travel hub up here in northeast North Dakota, but getting here is not as difficult as you might think. By airplane: Devils Lake: This small airport has limited flights, but is the closest to us, at only 40 miles away. If you would like to arrange for us to pick you up, please contact us with the details and we can arrange time, fee, etc. Grand Forks: This airport is a two-hour drive from here, and car rentals are available. Fargo: This airport is a three and a half hour drive from here, and car rentals are available. By train: Amtrak runs its Empire Builder line, a route between Chicago and Seattle, through Devils Lake, a town 40 miles away. If you would like to arrange for us to pick you up, please contact us with the details and we can arrange time, fee, etc. By vehicle: Driving here is simple. You'll have good highway the entire route until the last two miles to our house, which is gravel. Contact us for specific directions, or go to MapQuest to get a general idea of where you're headed.

	Wildlife: The wildlife you can expect to see with great regularity include ducks, geese and deer. In fact, you'll be advised to drive carefully and avoid the thousands of deer that are bold enough to run through or graze the yards. You will likely see moose, as over the years their presence has continued to grow. Do not approach moose if you are out walking, however, as they can be protective and territorial, and they move much faster than you might think. In the evenings you'll see the skunks and raccoons come out (which again, you'll want to leave alone) and will probably hear the coyotes or red fox howling. The other wildlife that populate the area that you might see include fox, coyotes, mink, badgers, salamanders, garter snakes, hawks, a multitude of song birds, cranes, etc. There have been reported sightings of a black bears, mountain lions, and bobcats in North Dakota, but they are not local to the region and would be a very rare sight indeed. There are no poisonous snakes or insects in this region, and the only nuisance pests you'll have to deal with in the outdoors, depending upon season, are wood ticks (late spring, early summer) and mosquitoes (summer). West Nile Virus has been reported in the region, so you'll want to take precautions with the mosquitoes and use a repellant.

	Spring (March - May): March and April will find winter often hanging on, and it isn't uncommon to get a blizzard or snow storm in April and even mid-May. You'll want to bring warm clothing with you, and expect a little mud. Spring brings the beautiful sight of migrating waterfowl, Canadian geese in particular. Some of the geese stay here and do not continue north. The many breeds of ducks also arrive at this time, and the sounds of a spring evening, as the ice melts off the water, is filled with the sounds of waterfowl, frogs, song birds and crickets. The farmers will also be starting field work and you can expect to see farm equipment and anhydrous tanks being moved along the roadways. What to bring: boots (for mud) layered jacket (one day it's cool, the next it's warm) gloves, hat (early spring)

	Summer (June - August): Summer in North Dakota is beautiful, seldom becoming extremely hot and then only for a week or two in August. There are always plenty of warm breezes and temperatures can range from 60 degrees F up to 95 degrees. Because mosquitoes take root just past early summer, you'll appreciate those breezes to blow them away. On still nights, you'll definitely need a bug spray or want to stay indoors. Early summer has cooler nights, but on into August the heat stays around for a few weeks. Summer brings thunderstorms, and some can be quiet violent. As always, it is important to know the weather forecast if possible. There have been the odd year where summer remained cool for the entire season, seldom reaching past 80 degrees and often in the 50's and 60's. This, however, is unusual. Summer brings about longer days, with the sun coming up around 6 a.m. and light hanging on until 10:30 p.m. during the longest days. What to bring: sunblock insect repellant light jacket weather radio

	Autumn (September - November): Autumn tends to be a short season, often cut short by a surprise snowfall which can occur as early as the first part of October. Sometimes, however, snow hasn't arrived until the end of December, so it's difficult to delineate the season. Autumn is very beautiful, with the trees turning yellow and the crops ready for harvest. You'll see the farmers out working the harvest late at night, with lights on their combines and grain trucks gliding about the fields in the darkness. The geese start migrating south again, and some of the song birds start to leave. Two hunting seasons, that of deer (Nov.) and duck (Oct.) occur during this time. Autumn starts hot but quickly becomes cool, with night temperatures dropping to the 30 to 40 degree range. Storms can bring either rain or snow, depending upon the temperature. What to bring: layered jacket (one day it's cool, the next day it's warm) sunblock gloves, hat (late autumn) warm shoes or boots (late autumn, just in case there's snow) For hunters, all your necessary items. You may bring dogs as long as they are kenneled and not allowed to run around when not in use. The dogs are not to be in the houses. You may also bring an ATV as long as you use it responsibly and do not tear up the land.

	Winter (December - February): North Dakota winters get a bad rap, but there are some things to know. As to estimating how many months winter lasts, that varies. Snow and cool temperatures can arrive in October and stick around to the first part of May. Every year the season varies, and there have been seasons where the snow didn't come until January. Around mid-December through the end of February, the temperature bottoms out and becomes extremely cold. January and February are often in the single digits, and there are usual a week or two that spend most of their time below zero. It can dip to 40 below, and of course the constant wind of North Dakota makes that seem colder with the wind chill factor BUT we do have heat in our houses and it isn't like everyone freezes solid. People still go out an do things, although it is imperative that they plug their car in or have it protected from the cold so that it starts. Early winter and as winter moves into spring are beautiful with mild temperatures in the 20's and 30's. The mornings when all buildings and trees are coated with a thick frost are some of the most beautiful sights you've seen, and the nights with a full moon reflecting off miles of glistening new snow, making the night seem like early evening, are enchanting. Winter brings about shorter days, with the sun coming up after 7 a.m. and setting around 5:30 p.m. on the shortest days. One note on winter survival: if you drive here and are caught in a blizzard, stay in your car. Do not get out and walk. Wait the storm out in your car. What to bring: warm winter jacket hat, gloves, scarf, all for cold weather chapstick, lotion, strong hair conditioner, etc. (winter air here is extremely dry) winter survival kit in your car (blanket, snacks, water, sleeping bag, etc. in case you get caught in a snow storm)