No one was here. Literally, I couldn’t see anyone for miles as we hiked across the plains of Theodore Roosevelt National Park’s Petrified Forest Trail. We’d come to Medora, ND to escape the crowds of other national parks and cities in the U.S.A. and we had found it.
My family spent four days here when my boys were younger, and it is still one of the best stops we have made on any road trip. Part frontier town, part outdoor musical, part gateway to a national park most Americans could not point to on a map, Medora has never had to try hard to be memorable.
Now Medora has an even bigger reason to be on your list. The Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library opened its doors in Medora on July 4, 2026, timed to the country’s 250th birthday, right on the edge of the national park that carries Roosevelt’s name.
I have not walked through the library myself yet, but that trip is already on my calendar.
However, between the new library, the same odd and wonderful town square, and a national park that still feels like it belongs to you alone, Medora should earn a spot on your itinerary this year.
Here is everything to do, where to stay, and where to eat, built from our own family trip and updated with what has changed since.
Getting to Medora
Medora sits just off I-94 in the far western corner of North Dakota, close enough to the Montana border that you will want to double-check your time zone before booking a dinner reservation.
The nearest airport is Dickinson Theodore Roosevelt Regional Airport, about 35 miles east of town. Bismarck‘s airport is a two-hour drive if you want more flight options.
Most families make Medora a stop on a bigger road trip rather than the whole vacation, and it’s easy to see why. If you are mapping out a longer route through the Dakotas, our guide to planning road trip stops and our road trip packing list will save you from repacking the car three times like we did.
Because Medora is remote, a rental car is necessary even if you fly in. I book most of our road trips through Discover Cars because they compare rates across companies rather than lock you into one.
And if your travel dates are flexible, a GOING membership is the tool I use to catch cheap fares into airports like Bismarck before they disappear.
Start With the Park That Started It All
You cannot talk about Medora without talking about Theodore Roosevelt National Park, since the town exists almost entirely because of it.
I wrote a full practical guide to the park, covering hikes, wildlife, and the Junior Ranger program, which our youngest still brings up, so I will keep this section short.
The South Unit sits right at the edge of Medora, with a scenic loop drive, prairie dog towns, wild horses, and more bison than we could count on our fingers.
NOTE: Sections of the loop road have been closed at different points for erosion repair, so check current conditions at nps.gov/thro before you build your day around it.
Painted Canyon, just east of town off I-94, is worth the stop even if you only have twenty minutes. Go at sunset if you can. The rocks change colors with the light, and it’s really magical as dusk approaches.
The Newest Reason to Visit: The Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library
The Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, designed by the architecture firm Snøhetta, opened to the public on July 4, 2026. It sits on a 93-acre site at the edge of the national park, built with a walkable green roof designed to blend into the surrounding buttes rather than sit apart from them.
What is a presidential library, if you have never visited one? With this one at least, think less “quiet room full of card catalogs (remember those GenX?)” and more immersive museum.
This one includes original artifacts, interactive galleries built around leadership, conservation, and citizenship, and a recreation of Roosevelt’s Elkhorn Ranch cabin.
I have not been inside yet, so I cannot tell you which gallery to linger in longest. What I can tell you is that this is the biggest thing to happen to Medora tourism in decades, and if you plan a trip for this year or next, you should build in time for it rather than treating it as an afterthought.
You can check hours and reserve tickets directly through the library’s official visitor page.
Downtown Medora: What to Do
Downtown Medora is walkable in about ten minutes. There is no need to rush through it.
The Medora Musical
This outdoor variety show at the Burning Hills Amphitheatre has been running since the 1960s, and it is still the anchor of a Medora evening.
Expect live horses, a mix of history and comedy centered on Roosevelt, and an impressive amount of energy from a cast performing outside in North Dakota weather.
Pair it with the Pitchfork Steak Fondue beforehand if you want dinner and a show all in one spot.
Point to Point Park
This is where we spent our sunniest afternoon. It includes the Manitou Zipline, the Little Bully Pulpit mini golf course, and a perception house that had my kids arguing about which way was up.
My youngest was too nervous to try the zipline on our first day, but changed his mind by day three. If you have a hesitant kid of your own, do not push it. Let them find their courage at their own speed.
Horseback riding
Medora Riding Stables runs guided trail rides through the Badlands from late May through late September. If you would rather book a guided outdoor experience in advance instead of figuring it out once you arrive, Viator is a good place to browse what is available for the dates you are traveling.
Chateau de Mores and the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame
Both are quieter, more historical stops if your group needs a break from the heat or the crowds. The Chateau tells the story of the French marquis who founded Medora, which is a stranger and more interesting story than most people expect from a town this small.
Where to Stay in Medora
Medora’s lodging is limited by size, not by quality. Book early for summer visits, especially around any major event at the new library.
Elkhorn Quarters
The most family-friendly of the bunch, with a pool and rooms built for groups. This is where I would point you if you are traveling with kids and want a home base rather than a boutique experience. Check current rates on Expedia.
Rough Riders Hotel
The closest thing Medora has to a splurge, right in the center of town and an easy walk to the Musical and downtown restaurants. Check current rates on Expedia.
Badlands Motel
Simple, well-located, and the best spot if you want to put your money toward park tickets and the Musical instead of your room. Check current rates on Expedia.
If camping is more your speed, Medora and the national park both have options, from primitive sites inside the South Unit to RV-friendly campgrounds a short walk from downtown.
Where to Eat in Medora
Farmhouse Cafe is still our pick for breakfast, and the place locals send you for Indian tacos if you want to try a regional specialty.
Cowboy Cafe and Hidden Springs Java cover the rest of your coffee and quick-bite needs.
For dinner, Boots Bar and Grill and the Little Missouri Saloon both serve a dependable steak, and Badlands Pizza and Saloon is perfect when your kids have hit their limit on Western theming for the day.
3-Day Itinerary in Medora, North Dakota
Whether you are planning a day trip or to spend 3-4 days in the area, you have plenty of options to pick from when planning out your Medora, ND itinerary.
Day 1
- Arrive in Medora
- Jump in the pool if it is open to cool off after a nice drive
- Grab lunch at Little Missouri Saloon and Dining
- Ice Cream at the Fudge & Ice Cream Depot
- Relax with mini golf and ziplining in town
- Visit the Theodore Roosevelt National Park Visitor’s Center to get your park pass and maps
- Wander the shops
- Pitchfork Steak Fondue for dinner
- Enjoy a night out at the Medora Musical
Day 2
- Get up early to avoid the summer heat and pack up for a day in the park
- Grab breakfast to go at Hidden Springs Java
- Hike in Petrified Forest Loop Trail
- Lunch at Boots Bar and Grill (or Cowboy Café)
- Wander through Theodore Roosevelt National Park, doing small hikes along the way
- Dinner at Theodore’s or Badlands Pizza
- Sunset in Theodore Roosevelt National Park (head up by 8pm at the latest in summer)
Day 3
- Breakfast at Farmhouse (don’t skip the caramel bun!)
- Hike the Painted Canyon Trail (trailhead is east of the city)
- Grab coffee to go at Hidden Springs Java and/or ice cream at Hatlee and Brae
- Depart Medora: Head east to Bismarck and Fargo OR south into the South Dakota Badlands
The Rest of North Dakota Is Worth Your Time Too
If you have more than a long weekend, Medora is a natural anchor for a bigger North Dakota loop. We have guides to Bismarck and Fargo, and if you are chasing Badlands scenery, the South Dakota Badlands are a reasonable drive south.
Before you go, grab my free road trip planning guide and vacation planner checklist to help you build the rest of your itinerary without missing anything.
Go Before Everyone Else Figures This Out
Medora has always been a strange, small pocket of the country that rewards people willing to drive a little farther than they planned to. For a long time, that was the whole pitch. Now there is a nationally significant library sitting on the edge of the Badlands, and the town that has been quietly doing its own thing for a hundred years is about to get a lot more attention.
Go for the Musical and the park, but most of all, because your kids will remember the time you spend together. And go now, while the huckleberry fudge is still in stock and the Juneberry ice cream is being made.
What Did We Really Think About the Things to Do in Medora, ND?
While I’ve updated this article since our last trip to North Dakota, I wanted to keep in our real-time reactions and experiences of what we did in Medora on our road trip. Here’s a little peek back in case you want to know a bit more about the town and activities available.
Little Bully Pulpit Mini Golf Course
My youngest son loves mini golf to the point of obsession. I had to tell him exactly what day and when we would try out the Little Bully Pulpit Mini Golf Course in Medora, and he still nagged me every few minutes all morning long.
We played all 18-holes, and I never cheated (yeah right!) so I could beat my kids. Each golf hole had its own difficulty rating and NOrth Dakota theme, but we found the first hole the most difficult, which is the opposite of most mini golf courses. No matter, my kids still had a blast with me and their dad.
Naturally, we had to reward ourselves for an excellent round of golf with huckleberry ice cream at the Fudge & Ice Cream depot.
Oh, and in case you are wondering, there is the Bully Pulpit Golf Course (grown up golf) in Medora, ND as well. Book your tee time and go have fun!
Manitou the Point to Point Zipline
I’m terrified of uncontrolled speeds, so I didn’t try Manitou: The Point-to-Point Zipline. There were plenty of people in line enjoying this thrill ride in Medora though.
The Manitou zipline brings you backwards up the line first, and then drops you down. You are in seats, so it does feel a little less intense than if you were just in a harness.
I might have been able to handle it, but after my last panic attack on a zipline in Costa Rica, I figured it would be better to just watch while we tried out the mini golf.
NOTE: The cost covers one ride and you must sign a waiver for you and your children. Height restrictions do apply.
Explore Harold Schafer Heritage Center
Anyone who grew up with “Mr. Bubble” bubble bath needs to visit the Harold Schafer Heritage Center. Schafer was a successful businessman who helped to save the town of Medora, loved Teddy Roosevelt and want to help his vision live on.
Jump into history at Chateau De Mores
Did you know that Medora was named after the Marquis de Mores wife? I sure didn’t until we visited the Chateau de Mores located on a hill above Medora.
The Chateau de Mores Interpretive Center has two galleries filled with artifacts from de Mores. Read through placards that tell the story of why de Mores and his wife came out to North Dakota, built themselves a fancy hunting lodge and created a boom town within the cattle industry.
Once you finish at the Interpretive Center, you can drive (or walk) up to the Chateau de Mores to tour the home. When the de Mores left for the season they thought they would be back, so they left everything in the lodge. They shipped back a few things, but most was left and later turned into the 128-acre Chateau de Mores State Historic Site, which includes Chimney Park and de Mores Memorial Park.
The home tour is self-guided, with docents scattered throughout to tell you a little about the home and answer any questions you may have about the “chateau.”
Go Horseback Riding at Medora Riding Stables
The moment my boys heard we were going to North Dakota they asked if they could go horseback riding. My oldest is obsessed with horses, which means my youngest, who has never actually ridden a horse, is obsessed too.
The Medora Riding Stables, located just outside of downtown Medora, offer trail rides most mornings and afternoons in summer. The staff leading the trail rides are all accomplished horsemen and women. In fact, out trail guide told me she has 13 horses, four of which she had brought out with her for the season.
Trails are led at the pace of the most inexperienced rider. We took a nice walk, going through the Badlands for about 45 minutes. There is a ridge trail we could have gone up, but with several inexperienced kids in the mix, we stuck to the flatter trails.
Medora Musical
If you come to Medora and you don’t see the Medora Musical at the Burning Hills Amphitheatre, I’m not sure you can say you have been to Medora, ND. This show is a huge draw for visitors to the North Dakota Badlands.
Located on the western edge of town, the Medora Musical a variety-show style performance, includes song, dance, banjo playing, clogging, comedy and even a little Rough Riders reenactment. It’s a big show in a small town that locals and guests look forward to every year.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
One of the biggest reasons people travel to Medora is to visit Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Tucked away from many other parks, these Badlands aren’t as busy as the South Dakota Badlands, but personally, I think they are even better.
The Petrified Forest Trail Loop was by far our favorite hike. The trail head is outside of town, but brings you through grasslands, hills, some rock climbing and down into a canyon of trees that are millions of years old. So old in fact, that they are now fossilized into rocks.
TR National Park’s South Unit has a loop drive that is perfect for families, especially those with little kids who can’t hike very far. You can jump out of your car at various viewpoints and take short hikes throughout the park.
Just keep an eye out for bison. Stay at least 100 feet away from wildlife at all time, although I do recommend a lot farther when it comes to bison. They are big and faster than you think.
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