Critical Knows
This pages serves as a knowledge resource for key items that are relevant and pertinent to having a safe and enjoyable experience traveling within the region selected for your customized visit to the areas.
Medications
If you are on regular medications for medical issues and chronic condition management you want to make sure you have several days extra of doses with you. Again, reminder the areas you are traveling to have limited access to modern pharmacies that you find in Metroplex/Urban/Suburban locations. Mostly mom and pop run pharmacies - and not one in every town. Chain pharmacies available in the area are CVS and again, not in every town. **North Dakota does not allow Walmart or Targets to have pharmacies in their locations. You will not find access to these in North Dakota.**
Basic First Aid
You do want to have a basic first aid kit with you. If hiking or on walking trails, they are remote and uneven.
** If you take a guided tour, your guide will also have a basic first aid kit to supplement yours in the event of need. **
Vehicle
DO NOT drive your personal primary family vehicle to this area. You do want an SUV that has ample ground clearance. This will provide you the best comfort.
IF you break down, in your personal vehicle, it will be months to have it repaired and there are limited options for renting alternate transportation, outside of the airport, if available at all. You will have to find a wrecker, auto shop to tow to, hotel and alternate transportation back to your home.
You could break down in an area where it is over 24 hours before a wrecker is able to get to you. IT may be a Sheriff or local resident whom stops to offer very limited assistance.
** Many travel to these areas each year, most have no issues, however we offer this information to let you be prepared in the event of a 1 off chance. A rental vehicle, with the extra rental insurance, will offer you the best backend safety worry free experience **
Cell Phone Reception
Even with modern day technology you are going to remote places. There are areas along your tour route that no matter whom your cell provider is, you will not have cell reception. This could be short 10 minute intervals or this could be a distance of 50 miles constant thru your route.
Please check in with your family/friends on regular intervals.
Weather Conditions
These areas are considered a convergence zone. Weather systems from the Pacific North West, Colorado Rockies, Gulf of Mexico, Canada and the Great Lakes. You will be in elevations above 2,000 ft. A cold front in summer could still bring snow/freezing/cold rain. With this in mind, bring layers! If you are used to 80's to 100s in temps in your home area - you will feel chilly at times in this region. Temps could easily get into the 80s in mid summer, however night time it will cool down in to the high 40s to mid 50s.
Clothing / Shoes
Bring prepared to dress in layers. That means having a hat and gloves readily accessible. Undershirts/long sleeves. Extra socks. For shoes, good walking/hiking shoes. Shoes that are already broken in. This is not the time or location to have brand new shoes, not broken in that will cause blisters on your feet.