Farm and Ranch Recreation Resource Directory
Section 12 - Resources
The following are list of websites; contact persons for grants, loans, rural development, small business centers; ND Convention and Visitor Bureaus; and outfitter/Associations on recreation and tourism resource.
Resources
Web Sites for Information on Recreation/Tourism Projects
Prepared by: Small Business Development Centers
Tourism Resources
www.nal.usda.gov/ric/ruralres/tourism.htm
Ecotourism (Birding, hiking, site seeing, etc.)
www.tpwd.state.tx.us/nature/tourism
www.ecotourism.org
www.eduweb.com/schaller
Dude Ranching
www.duderanch.org
Bed & Breakfasts
www.bbonline.com
www.bnbnetwork.com
www.insideinnkeeping.com
www.businessplanworld.com/plan.htm
Farm Vacation (Farm tours, working farm)
* Working Ranches
http://www.working
ranch.com
Dude & Guest Ranches North America
http://www.dgrna.com
Farmers Market
www.farmersmarkets.net
www.ag.arizona.edu/arec/pubs/dmkt/dmkt.html
www.ams.usda.gov/farmersmarkets
www.farmstop.com/aboutagritourism.asp
Growing for Market
News & Ideas for Market gardeners
www.growingformarket.com
Camps (Articles on Camping demand and costs)
http://camping.about.com
www.magportal.com/c/sport/camp
Hunting & Fishing
www.census.gov/prod/www/abs/fishing.html
Feel free to visit our Small Business Development Center State Web Site for
information or assistance at: http://www.ndsbdc.org
AGRITOURISM, RECREATION, ALTERNATIVE ENTERPRISE
WEB SITES
Resource information web sites/email addresses of organizations, consultants,
individuals and companies that contain information useful in assessing, planning,
operating and marketing for a farm agritourism business. Agritourism is any
activity which allows visitors to come onto the farm or ranch. This list
also contains information that is helpful in assisting rural communities.
This list is NOT a complete list of the web sites. Some of the addresses
may need to be changed to gain access such as dropping the www.
How to get information off the internet for farmers, ranchers, extension agents, consultants, gardeners, etc. The title of the book is "How to Find Information on the Internet." http://www.sarep.ucdavis.edu
Direct Marketing - USDA web site on selling from farm to consumers. http://www.ams.usda.gov/directmarketing
Travel, tourism, research advertising and temporary - consultants. http://www.offbeattrips.com
Farming Alternatives, Cornell's Agriculture Development and Diversification
Program.
http://www.cals.cornell.edu/agfoodcommunity/afs_temp1.cfm?topicID=68
Alternative Farming Systems Information Center - Sustainable Agriculture
Resources
www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/agnic.htm
Agriculture Innovation Center - Resource site on how to create and operate a
business, market and industry trends, etc.
www.aginnovationcenter.org/resources/agritourism.shtml
Agricultural Marketing Resource Center - www.agmrc.org
Natural Resources Conservation Service - Alternative Enterprises and Agritourism
www.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/RESS/altenterprise
Farm*A*Syst, Home*A*Syst, Forest A Syst - How to check the environmental quality of your farm, home and forest. http://www.wisc.edu/farmasyst
State population, income and agriculture data http://www.ers.usda.gov/statefacts
Wilder Foundation is involved in growing in partnerships with our communities. http://www.wilder.org
Endangered specie values information can be found. http://www.st.nmfs.gov/st1/econ/pubs.html
Urban forestry information on events, activities, research etc. http://www.treelink.org
Funds and grants. http://www.fundsraiser.com
Watershed information proceedings for the 1996 and later annual conferences. It contains the plenary talks and related web sites. http://www.epa.gov/OWOW/watershed
"Outdoor Recreation in American Life" is a comprehensive book on national demand and supply. It also includes the "National Survey on Privately Owned Lands" results about recreation on private lands and owners attitudes about conservation and regulation. http://www.srs.fs.fed.us/recreation
"The Growing Popularity of Birding in the United States" publication. http://www.srs.fs.fed.us/recreation/recent.html
Starting and Growing a Business is part of the PBS Adult Learning Service
is offering via satellite http://www.pbs.org/als.
National Envirothon program is a problem-solving environmental competition for high school students. Over $35,000 in prizes and scholarships will be given out this year. http://www.envirothon.org
Sustainable Farming Connection, a popular nuts and bolts website. http://www.metalab.unc.edu/farming-connection and www.ibiblio.org/farming-connection
Urban agriculture information about farming the urban areas and urban and rural farm networks. http://www.cityfarmer.org
NRCS Ecosystem Benefits - Environmental Benefits Valuation Techniques. http://www.cbl.umces.edu/~mattia/NRCS/title.htm
Sustainability Review is a newsletter you may receive by requesting through
website. http://www.eeeee.net
Earth Day is tied into EnviroLink to collect information for Earth Day. http://www.envirolink.org/earthday
U.S. Global Change Data and Information System has pointers which make it easy for the general public to understand. http://globalchange.gov
Tourism activity in South Carolina. http://discoversouthcarolina.com
Searching across a number of state extension service home pages for a topic use. E-answers - http://128.227.242.197
Environment and Ecology information. http://www.peak.org
SBA RESOURCE
LIST
U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (SBA)
www.sba.gov
PO Box 3086 - 657th 2nd Ave N., Room 219, Fargo, ND 58108 - (701)-239-5131
BUSINESS INFORMATION CENTERS (BIC)
http://webhost.btigate.com/~onestop/BIC.htm
Fay Behm
700 E Main Ave 2nd Fl. PO Box 5509
Bismarck, ND 58502; Phone: (701) 328-5850 or 1-800-544-4674
Mary Beth Botava
2201 15th St SW
Minot, ND 58701-6935; Phone: (701) 857-8227
Eric Giltner
Chamber of Commerce
202 N 3rd St, Ste 300
Grand Forks, ND 58203; Phone: (701) 746-5160
SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTERS (SBDC)
http://www.ndsbdc.org
| Bismarck Center 700 E Main Ave, 2nd Fl Bismarck, ND 58502 701-328-5865 rnewman@minotstateu.edu |
Fargo Center 51 Broadway, suite 505 Fargo, ND 58102 701-235-1495 linda_liebert_hall@und.nodak.edu |
Grand Forks Center 1501 28th Ave S Grand Forks, ND 58203 701-772-8502 dwadholm@state.nd.us |
| Minot Center 1925 S Broadway Minot, ND 58703 701-857-8211 anderson@minotstateeu.edu |
Devils Lake Center 417 5th St Devils Lake, ND 58301 701-662-8131 denisencpc@stellarnet.com |
Grafton Center 516 Cooper Ave. #101 Grafton, ND 58237 701-352-3550 dkeeley@state.nd.us |
| Jamestown Center 210 10th St SE Jamestown, ND 58402 701-252-8060, Ext 17 scdrc@csicable.net |
Williston Center Crighton Building, Wsc Williston, ND 58802 701-774-4235 gsukut@minotstateeu.edu |
Lead Center UND 365H Gamble Hall Grand Forks, ND 58202 701-777-3700 1-800-445-7232 christine.martin@und.nodak.edu |
SCORE LOCATIONS
(Service Corps of Retired Executives)
| 700 E Main Avenue Box 5509
Bank of ND 2nd Floor Bismarck, ND 58506 Phone: (701)-328-5861 |
202 N 3rd Street, Ste 300 Grand Forks, ND 58203 Phone: (701)-746-5851 |
| 51 Broadway, Ste. 505 Fargo, ND 58102 Phone: (701)-239-5677 |
1925 S Broadway Minot, ND 58701 Phone: (701)-852-6883 |
CENTER FOR TECHNOLOGY & BUSINESS PROGRAM
Tara Holt
1022 E Divide Ave, Box 2535
Bismarck, ND 58502; Phone: (701)-223-1866 - 1-866-294-2136
ADDITIONAL RESOURCE LISTINGS
| One Stop Capital Shop Business Information Center
(located in the Bank of North Dakota) 700 E Main 2nd Fl Box 5509 Bismarck, North Dakota 58506 1-800-544-4674 http://www.sba.gov |
Small Business Development Center PO Box 7308 Grand Forks, North Dakota 58202 1-800-445-7232 http://www.ndsbdc.org |
| North Dakota Economic Development and Finance 1600 E Century Ave, Suite 2 Bismarck, North Dakota 58503 701-328-5300 http://www.growingnd.com |
North Dakota Tax Department 600 E Boulevard Avenue Bismarck, North Dakota 58505 701-328-2770 / 1-800-638-2901 http://www.state.nd.us/taxdpt |
| North Dakota Job Service PO Box 5507 Bismarck, North Dakota 58506- 701-328-3096 http://www.jobsnd.com |
North Dakota Secretary of State 600 E Boulevard Avenue Bismarck, North Dakota 58505 701-328-2900 http://www.state.nd.us/sec |
| Division of Food and Lodging North Dakota Department of Health 2635 East Main Avenue Bismarck, ND 58502-0937 Phone: 701-328-6150 |
North Dakota State Fire Marshall 4205 State Street, Box 1054 Bismarck, ND 58502-1054 Phone: 701-328-5555 |
| North Dakota Tourism Department 1600 E Century Ave, Suite 2 Bismarck, ND 58503 Phone: 1-800-HELLO ND/701-328-2525 http://www.discovernd.com |
Office of Attorney General Licensing Division 600 E boulevard Ave, Dept 125 Bismarck, ND 58505-0040 Phone: 701-328-2329 http://www.ag.state.nd.us |
| State Procurement Office 600 E Boulevard Avenue, Dept 012 Bismarck, ND 58505-0310 Phone: 701-328-2683 http://www.state.nd.us/csd/spo |
Marketplace of Ideas 411 Main Street W Mandan, ND 58554-3164 Phone: 701-663-0150 http://www.marketplaceofideas.com |
| Workforce Safety and Insurance 1600 E Century Ave, #1 Bismarck, ND 58503 Phone: 701-328-3811 1-800-777-5033 |
NDSU Community Economic Development and Leadership NDSU Extension Service 2718 Gateway Ave, Suite 104 Bismarck, ND 58503 Phone: 701-328-9718 www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/ced/communitypage.htm |
| Internal Revenue Service Rhonda Kingsley, Specialist 657 2nd Ave N, Box 508 Fargo, ND 58107 701-239-5400, Ext 261 1-800-829-1040 http://www.irs.org |
Service Corps of Retired Executives
(SCORE)
http://www.score.org
U.S. Business Advisor
(one-stop access to federal government information and services and
transactions)
http://www.business.gov
North Dakota State Data Center
PO Box 5636
NDSU
Fargo, ND 58105
Phone: 701-231-8621
http://www.ndsu.nodak.edu/sdc
U.S. Census Bureau
http://www.census.gov
Recreational Access to Private Lands: Liability Problems and Solutions
By: John D. Copeland
National Center for Agricultural Law
Research and Information
U of A School of Law
147 Waterman Hall
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR 72701
Phone: 501-575-7657
Cost: $18.50 (includes shipping and handling)
Farming Alternative
Natural Resource, Agriculture and Engineering Services
Cornell University
152 Riley-Robb Hall
Ithaca, NY 14853-7654
Phone: 607-255-7654
e-mail: nraes@cornell.edu
Website: www.nraes.org
Cost: $8.00 plus $4.75 (S&H)
USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT
| North Dakota Rural Development State Director Rural Development State Office PO Box 1737 220 E Rosser Avenue Bismarck, ND 58502-1737 Phone: 701-250-4781 or 1-800-582-7584, Ext 1 TTY: 701-250-4794 - Fax: 701-250-4670 |
|
| Area Offices - USDA Rural Development Dickinson Area Office 2493 4th Ave West Dickinson, ND 58601-2623 Phone: 701-225-9168 or 1-800-688-2251 Fax: 701-225-1353 |
Minot Area Office 2000 6th Street SE Minot, ND 58701-6700 Phone: 701-852-1754 or 1-800-765-9476 |
| Devils Lake Area Office 502 Highway 2 West Devils Lake, ND 58301-0280 Phone: 701-662-8634 or 1-800-688-2279 Fax: 701-662-1227 |
Valley City Area Office 575 10th Street SW #4 Valley City, ND 58072-3906 Phone: 701-845-5150 or 1-800-688-2293 Fax: 701-845-5605 |
| LOCAL OFFICES Bismarck Local Office 1511 East Interstate Avenue Bismarck, ND 58501-0560 Phone: 701-250-4367 or 1-800-688-2297 Fax: 701-250-4363 |
Williston Local Office 1106 2nd Street West Williston, ND 58801-5804 Phone: 701-572-4597 or 1-800-688-2308 Fax: 701-572-0482 |
| Park River Local Office 503 Park Street West, Ste 3 Park River, ND 58270-4103 Phone: 701-284-7118 or 1-800-688-2307 Fax: 701-284-7238 |
USDA Rural Development OUTREACH OFFICE Rolla Outreach Office 1106 Main Avenue West, Ste2 RR1 Box 85C Rolla, ND 58367 Phone: 701-477-6335 Fax: 701-477-3322 |
Local Development Organizations
Job Development Authorities/Community Development Corporations/Regional Councils
Local government provides many avenues for the provision of economic development services in North Dakota. The state has eight regional planning councils that each cover several counties and assist local governments by providing technical assistance and engaging in regional planning activities.
Job development authorities, which usually cover a single county, and local development corporations, entities created by city government, are also available to meet your economic development needs.
These entities use their resources to encourage and assist in the development of employment within their coverage areas. In fulfilling their objectives, these organizations hire professional personnel skilled in seeking and promoting new or expanded opportunities within their cities, counties or regions. They are often involved in investment activities, providing grants or loans in partnership with other organizations to fund various business development activities.
| Cavalier County JDS 901 3rd St Langdon, ND 58249 701-256-3475 |
Rolla JDA PO Box 1200 Rolla, ND 58367 701-477-9130 |
| Forward Devils Lake PO Box 879 Devils Lake, ND 58301 |
Benson County JDA PO Box 324 Maddock, ND 58348 701-438-2660 |
| Towner County EDC PO Box 781 Cando, ND 58324 701-968-3311 |
Northern Plains Electric Cooperative PO Box 608 Cando, ND 58324 800-882-2500 |
Regional Councils
Region 2 (Bottineau, Burke, McHenry, Mountrail, Pierce, Renville and Ward
Counties)
4215 Burdick Expressway E
Minot, ND 58701
701-839-6641
Region 3 (Benson, Cavalier, Eddy, Ramsey, Rolette and Towner Counties and
Spirit Lake and Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa)
PO Box 651, 417 5th St
Devils Lake, ND 58301
701-662-8131
Region 4 (Pembina, Nelson, Walsh and Grand Forks Counties)
1004 Hill Avenue
Grafton, ND 58237
701-352-3550
Business Information Centers (BICs)
http://www.webhost.btigate.com/~onestop/BIC.htm
North Dakota Convention and Visitor
Bureaus
| Belfield CVB PO Box 959 Belfield, ND 58622 Phone: 701-575-8135 |
Beulah CVB PO Box 730 Beulah, ND 58523 Phone: 701-873-4585 Website: www.tradecorridor.com/beulah |
| Bismarck/Mandan CVB 1600 Burnt Boat Drive Bismarck, ND 58503 Phone: 701-222-4308 1-800-767-3555 Website: http://www.bismarck-mandancvb.org |
Bottineau CVB 519 Main Street Bottineau, ND 58318 Phone: 701-228-3849 1-800-735-6932 Website: www.bottineau.com |
| Bowman Chamber of Commerce PO Box 1143 Bowman, ND 58623 Phone: 701-523-5880 www.bowmannd.com |
Cando CVB PO Box 906 Cando, ND 58324 Phone: 701-968-3177 |
| Carrington CVB PO Box 439 - 871 Main Street Carrington, ND 58421 Phone: 701-652-2524 Website: www.cgtn-nd.com |
Devils Lake CVB PO Box 879 Hwy 2 East Devils Lake, ND 58301 Phone: 701-662-4903 1-800-233-8048 Website: www.devilslakend.com |
| Dickinson CVB 72 E Museum Drive Dickinson, ND 58601 Phone: 701-483-4988 1-800-279-7391 www.dickinsonnd.com |
Fargo/Moorhead CVB 2001 44th St SW Fargo, ND 58103 Phone: 701-282-3653 1-800-235-7654 www.fargomoorhead.org |
| Grand Forks CVB 4251 Gateway Drive Grand Forks, ND 58203 Phone: 701-746-0444 1-800-866-4566 www.grandforkscvb.org
Garrison Chamber of Commerce |
Harvey Chamber of Commerce 120 W 8th St, #3 Harvey, ND 58341 Phone 701-324-2604 |
| Drayton Chamber of Commerce PO Box 265 Drayton, ND 58225-0265 Phone: 701-454-3474 www.draytonnd.com |
Hazen Chamber of Commerce PO Box 423 Hazen, ND 58545 Phone: 701-748-6848 1-800-567-2348 |
| Hettinger Chamber of Commerce PO Box 1031 Hettinger, ND 58639 Phone: 701-567-2531 |
Jamestown Promotion & Tourism Center PO Box 389 Jamestown, ND 58401 Phone: 701-252-4835 1-800-222-4766 www.jamestownnd.com |
| Langdon Chamber of Commerce PO Box 348 Langdon, ND 58249 Phone: 701-256-3079 Linton Chamber of Commerce |
McKenzie County Tourism PO Box 699 - 201 5th St NW Watford City, ND 58854 Phone: 701-444-2804 1-800-701-2804 www.4eyes.net |
| Medora Chamber of Commerce PO Box 186 Medora, ND 58645 Phone: 701-623-4910 Website: www.medorand.com |
Minot CVB PO Box 2066 Minot, ND 58701 Phone: 701-857-8206 1-800-264-2626 www.visitminot.org |
| New Town CVB 103 Soo Pl New Town, ND 58763 Phone: 701-627-4812 www.tradecorridor.com/newtown |
Oakes Chamber of Commerce 412 Main Ave Oakes, ND 58474 701-742-3508 www.oakesonlline.com |
| Rugby CVB PO Box 288 - 224 Hwy 2 SW Rugby, ND 58368 Phone: 701-776-5846 |
Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation 301 5th St Medora, ND 58645 Phone: 701-623-4444 1-800-633-6721 OR 1110 College Dr Bismarck, ND 58502 Phone: 701-223-4800 Website: www.medora.com |
| Valley City Chamber of Commerce 205 NE 2nd St Valley City, ND 58072 Phone: 701-845-1891 www.hellovalley.com |
City of Velva PO Box 219 Velva, ND 58790 701-338-2660 Website: www.velva.net |
| Wahpeton Chamber of Commerce 1118 6th St N Wahpeton, ND 58075 Phone: 701-892-6673 1-800-892-6673 Website: www.wahpchamber.com
|
Williston CVB 10 Main Street Williston, ND 58801 Phone: 701-774-9041 Website: www.willistonnd.com Wishek Association of Commerce PO Box 411 Wishek, ND 58495 701-452-2371 www.wishek-nd.com |
OUTFITTER / ASSOCIATIONS
North Dakota Professional Guides and Outfitters Association
PO Box 315
Bottineau, ND 58318
Website:
www.wwwdi.com/oga/states/ndakota.html
www.outfittersandguides.com/northdakota.htm
North Dakota Association of Bed & Breakfast
170 82nd St SE
Wahpeton, ND 58075
Phone: 701- 274-8262
www.bbonline.com/nd/ndbba
THINGS TO KEEP IN
MIND
When preparing brochures and other promotional materials for your recreation
business:
1. Your promotional materials reflect the kind of outfit you are:
Distinct, attractive image vs. no memorable personality
- "Think outside the Box"
- What makes you unique?
- Benefit headline
- Dominant graphic element
Quality operation with good detail vs. sloppiness and
carelessness
Clear customer benefit vs. no special reason to buy
2. All your communications should consistently describe who you are (remember
the communication focal point) and should have a similar
appearance.
Family vs. twins
Publicity
- Generating interest by telling your story
- Farms (journalist and travel agent)
- Press releases
- Calendar listings
- Consumer/trade shows
Direct mail can be used to closely target your audience
Travel Agencies:
- Develop a travel agent kit
a. Folder
b. Color copies of ranch
photos (including hosts)
c. Five-ten brochures
d. Rate card
e. Discounts to be used as
a selling incentive for travel agents
f. Cover letter
g. Business card
- Make your promotional materials travel
agent friendly
Other promotional materials
- Newsletter
- Promotional or event flyers (Christmas gifts)
- Feature-length videos
Using new technologies:
- Internet, World Wide Web
- CD-ROM & disk-based media
Take advantage of partnerships and alliances that provide marketing
opportunities at a lower cost.
- Travel Montana
- Regions
- Chambers of Commerce
- Other tourism marketing groups (Old West Trail,
Farm and Ranch Associations)
3. Develop your own database as you receive inquiries.
Will show where market response comes
Establishes a list of target potential customers
4. Revise your marketing plan periodically.
Review at least once every six months
Reflect market conditions
Competitive price structure
Flexibility to meet natural disasters, weather conditions
and cancellations
5. Stay optimistic, but cautious.
Build slow, comfortable business base
Rely heavily on testimonials and ask current clients
if you can use their statements
Don't over promise
6. Understand how your promotion materials will be distributed before producing
them:
If it's displayed on a rack, a piece folded to fit a
letter size envelope with a vertical layout will get the best results.
The same size should work well as an enclosure with
confirmation letters.
Consider a self-mailer that can contain a letter and
rate card.
Consult a printer or graphics specialist for economical
sizes: slight differences can increase the cost, but may also
separate your brochure from others.
Consult your post office regarding sizes and weight.
7. Printing considerations.
Quantities
Colors, embossing, foil
Size
Paper stock
Photos or not
Illustrations
Budget!
COMMENTS SECTION
Source: OFF THE BEATEN PATH,
LLC
Bozeman, Montana
1996 CUSTOMER SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT
FOR RANCHES, OUTFITTERS AND BED & BREAKFASTS
WORKING RANCHES/DUDE RANCHES
It was disappointing to learn that our 7 year old could not horseback ride.
The lodging was worst. The fold out bed was a single size, so one child had
to sleep on the floor or with us.
A large bee swam had settled under the cabin. Subsequently, there were bees
all around the cabin and my daughter refused to go outside. The downstairs
part of the cabin had hundreds of little bugs, the kind that are attracted
to night lights. We had to all sleep upstairs because there were so many.
The faucet water smelled very bad and was brown. They did not provide any
bottled water. One night I took a bath and the water was brown- pretty gross
looking. I mentioned it to the owner and he said he was aware of it, but
hadn't gotten to it yet.
Good, but too many large crowds.
There were large mice and chipmunks in our room. We killed at least 30-40
moths per day. Maintenance is poor on rooms or cabins. Many guests said the
same. While riding was great, virtually no instruction was offered for
beginners.
Food was bad this year.
A truly grim, unreconstructed, ugly, not very clean "bunk house" that you
wouldn't wish on your enemies.
You can ride without a wrangler. This adds some risk because even if you
know what you're doing, they do not know how someone else may have treated
a horse the week before. Jim had a horse who bolted one evening. The
horse fell, which is unusual, sending Jim to the hospital. They said the
horse's behavior was out of character and perhaps another guest had been
racing the horse the week before.
Accommodations okay, but not quite enough space.
To be nit-picking we'd prefer dinner later (6:00 cuts it short) and would have liked less fattening food.
Only complaint was slow service at dinner. I think they need to vary the dinner menu.
The riding program was a little weak. Some of the wranglers were disinterested in their jobs.
Rooms not as clean as they should have been, dresser and bed never moved to vacuum. I dropped something on the floor and had to search under bed and behind dresser and was horrified at how dirty it was? Rooms otherwise ok (superficially clean).
We didn't have a two bedroom cabin, it had a hot stuffy loft that Leah wouldn't sleep in.
The rooms are pretty "motley".
The cabins were adequate with the water being extremely sulfuric smelling.
The only criticism is that it was close to the road.
Disappointed that all horseback riding was booked when we got there.
Owner getting tired of what he is doing.
Could have used a few evening rides.
Heavy on starch, cheese and meat; need more greens.
The place itself is seedy and in need of a fair amount of repair. Our bathroom was dirty.
COMMENTS REGARDING BED & BREAKFAST ACCOMMODATIONS
Breakfast a little to exotic.
A bit hokey.
A little too cute.
Only complaint was the trains that go by starting about 5:30 am
Charming place, but not air conditioned - very hot.
Nice cottage, unfortunately located on the busiest alley I have ever experienced, heard cars throughout the night.
Directions to lodge were unclear.
Housekeeping only every third day. Very disappoint, cottage poorly ventilated, noisy, inadequate air conditioning.
House noisy until after 11:30 pm. Bathrooms were small and awkward.,
Breakfast was fair only.
Didn't like being on the road.
B&B was understaffed. Proprietor was overburdened.
Bad plumbing and air conditioning. Bath facilities had no shelf space for toiletries, etc.
Had to share a bathroom with several other people.
COMMENTS REGARDING OUTFITTERS
This was a disappointment; food was average, attention to clients' needs and comfort was secondary to that of the horses. The guides need to learn to be more outgoing and tell guests about the area they are visiting.
Not suited for what we wanted (a little more luxury).
We were distressed by poor directions and preparation for access for our horse trailer.
Their lists of things to bring along could be a little expanded.
Took us to nice spots, but not as interesting or good natured as some others we met.
BIRDS OF THE BISMARCK-MANDAN AREA
Birds can be found in an area approximately 100 miles in diameter centered on Bismarck-Mandan in south central North Dakota. The area includes the Cross Ranch, Ft. Lincoln State Parks, Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge, and many natural wetlands in the northeastern and eastern portions of the area. It also includes the upper end of Oahe Reservoir and most of the natural river bottom habitat which remains along the Missouri River in the state. For more information on areas in North Dakota for viewing birds and other wildlife, please contact the ND Game & Fish Department (701) 328-6300 or http://www.discovernd.com
Birding Hotline: 701-250-4481
Hotline runs March-September
5 pm-7 am weekdays, all day on weekdays and holidays.
North Dakota State University
NDSU Extension Service