WHAT TO BRING
Dress is informal in this rural state. Levis are the rule rather than the exception. When birding in spring and fall, carry a warm jacket because the temperature can drop in a hurry. As for winter dress, there is not much to say other than “get the warmest clothes and foot-gear possible.” It is next to impossible to overdress for Dakota winters. Other things that could come in handy in winter are: 1) a shovel (especially if you intend to drive the back roads), 2) studded tires, 3) booster cables, and 4) a lighter-weight motor oil for better cold-weather starts. Make sure to winterize your radiator to at least -30°, and keep more anti-freeze on hand; you may need it.
As a final suggestion, if you own a spotting scope by all means bring it. There are certainly few activities more frustrating than trying to identify shorebirds on a distant mud-flat with nothing more than binoculars. A scope can also come in handy for viewing some of the more elusive prairie sparrows.
PESTS
There are plenty of biting insects around, and the mosquitoes can be downright obnoxious at times (especially if you are sleeping outside). Carry some kind of insect repellent (except in winter). Liquid repellents seem to last longer than sprays.
Watch for ticks in brushy areas. No matter how hard you try you will probably get some anyway. Never pull one off. The proboscis usually breaks, whereupon infection may occur. They are best removed by applying rubbing alcohol (Some of the more obnoxious ticks seem to get “bombed” and then hang on for dear life.) or a hot instrument such as a recently burnt match.
Rattlesnakes do occur in the western part (particularly in the badlands), although you would be doing well to see one.
WHERE TO STAY
The larger towns have many motels, especially along the interstates. There should be no problem in Bismarck-Mandan, Dickinson, Devils Lake, Fargo, Grand Forks, Jamestown, Minot, Valley City, and Williston. These towns are distributed rather evenly over the state. Most of the smaller towns have at least one motel, but try to arrive early. Motels fill quickly in summer.
Campers will find plenty of spots. In addition to the commercial campgrounds, most of the state parks offer camp sites, and some are free. Both units of the Roosevelt Memorial have good campgrounds.