The Ultimate Travel Guide to Medora, North Dakota
When you picture North Dakota, what comes to mind? Miles of endless prairies and farmland? Yeah, that’s what I thought too. Luckily, I was totally wrong, because Medora is anything but that! From outdoor enthusiasts to history buffs, golfers, and families – this little Old West town has something for just about everyone! With this ultimate travel guide to Medora, you won’t miss out on any of the best that this town has to offer.
Medora is a small town located in the badlands of North Dakota and is the gateway to the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. It’s a walkable town with several restaurants, shops, bars, and more. Although Medora can be a little kitschy, playing up its Wild West roots, it’s just charming enough that you really won’t mind.
Get ready to enjoy the rootinest-tootinest town in the Great American West with this guide to Medora, North Dakota.
Historic Roots
Medora is proud of its strong ties to President Teddy Roosevelt.
His time living and ranching in the badlands near Medora inspired the conservation efforts that remain his greatest legacy. During a speech given in Fargo, Roosevelt even credited his experiences in North Dakota as the reason he became president.
Getting to Medora, North Dakota
Woohoo! Road Trip! There are no airports in Medora, so a car is needed to get there. It’s located on the western edge of North Dakota near the border of Montana, and the closest major city is Bismarck – the capital of North Dakota.
Know Before You Go: The town of Dickinson, ND is the closest place to get groceries or other supplies from big box stores. It’s located 36 minutes outside of Medora.
Getting Around Medora
Car: You’ll need a car to get here and to reach many of the attractions near town.
Walk: Downtown Medora is very walkable. Most restaurants, shops, and hotels are within walking distance.
Public Transport: There are no public transportation options or taxis available.
Surrounded by scenery
Most of Medora’s surrounding area is part of either Little Missouri National Grassland or Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The Little Missouri River winds its way along the western edge of town.
Best Time To Visit Medora
North Dakota is the least-visited state in the U.S., so even during peak tourist season, the crowds here are manageable. The weather in Medora varies greatly between seasons. Summers can be brutally hot while winters get severely cold. Many activities and accommodations are only open from late May through early September, and peak mosquito season is in July and August. My favorite time to visit Medora is early to mid-September, right after Labor Day.
The best time to visit is from mid-May through mid-September.
Packing Tip
North Dakota can get pretty windy any time of year, so be sure to pack layers.
Where to Stay in Medora
Rough Riders Hotel ($$-$$$)
This is Medora’s classiest spot to rest your head after a day of exploring. Rough Riders Hotel is luxury meets western charm, and its central location in downtown Medora makes it the top choice for many travelers.
Open year-round with reduced rates in the shoulder and off-seasons.
Wooly Boys Inn ($$-$$$)
Nestled in downtown Medora, the Wooly Boys Inn features two suites, each complete with two queen beds, a living room, fireplace, and a kitchenette.
Open mid-June through mid-September.
Elkhorn Quarters ($-$$)
More budget-friendly than the other hotel options, Elkhorn Quarters features modern rooms with a touch of the Old West. There are single and family rooms available as well as an on-site pool. This is the closest lodging to the Bully Pulpit Golf Course.
Open from mid-June to mid-September.
Medora Campground ($)
If camping is more your style, the Medora campground is a great option! It’s equipped with watering holes and showers (which are free, clean, and actually have pretty great water pressure) and has both powered and primitive camping spaces. If you’re grabbing a primitive spot, I highly recommend getting a group site. These cost only slightly more than individual sites and come with a private fire pit, charcoal grill, and lots of extra space.
Open from mid to late May through early September.
Abundant Wildlife
Keep an eye out for the plethora of wildlife around Medora. Wild horses, prairie dogs, bison, and more can all be easily spotted around the area!
Where to Eat in Medora
Medora is a small, midwestern town that doesn’t have a huge variety of mealtime options. If you have allergies or follow a restricted diet, I recommend bringing your own food if you can.
You won’t find any chain restaurants or fast food in Medora.
LOCAL CUISINE: North Dakota isn’t necessarily known for any specific dish, but you can still find a few unique, local options. Try bison, elk, juneberries, or huckleberries for a taste of what this region has to offer. North Dakota also has a thing for deep-frying beef. In Medora, you can find deep-fried steak as well as Fleischkuekle (seasoned ground beef wrapped in dough and deep-fried).
BREAKFAST
The Farmhouse Cafe
A rustic cafe serving both traditional breakfast favorites and a few creative modern dishes. Breakfast is served daily from 7 a.m.-11 a.m. Gluten-free and Vegetarian options.
LUNCH & DINNER
Theodore’s Dining Room
Feeling fancy? Theodore’s Dining Room is a fine dining restaurant serving modern twists on western classics (think Bison Osso Buco). It’s located in the upscale Rough Riders Hotel. Gluten-free and Vegetarian options.
Little Missouri Saloon
The food here is pretty standard, but there are also a few North Dakota staples like bison and elk. The saloon-style atmosphere is what makes this a fun stop. The inside is lined with cowboy hats and dollar bills pinned up by customers (which get donated to charity when the walls get too full), and there’s also great rooftop seating. Gluten-free and Vegetarian options – a few Vegan appetizers.
Badlands Pizza and Saloon
This place serves up pizzas with on-theme names like “Teddy’s Taco Pizza” and “Janie Got a Gun”. There are also a few other classic pizza-joint menu items like wings, pasta, and sandwiches. Gluten-free and Vegetarian options.
Pitchfork Steak Fondue
Each evening, the chefs load up steaks onto pitchforks and “fondue them western style” (a.k.a. they’re seasoned and deep-fried). Several sides, desserts, and beverages are also served buffet-style, and alcoholic beverages are available as well. Opt for sides-only to make your meal vegetarian (but note that the beans do contain bacon.)
Additional Details
The venue is entirely outdoors and sits high above town, giving you a beautiful view of both the town and of Teddy Roosevelt National Park. A live country band plays here every night as well!
The fondue starts at 5:30 p.m. and finishes in time for the Medora Musical – the live performance that also takes place on-site (detailed below). Catch dinner and a show, all in one place!
DESSERT
Medora Fudge & Ice Cream Depot
You can’t go wrong with homemade fudge and ice cream. Get a taste of some local flavors and order the huckleberry or juneberry ice cream – the national berries of Montana and North Dakota respectively.
Bison vs. Buffalo
While the terms are often used interchangeably, these are two distinctly different animals. Buffalo are native to Africa and Asia (think water buffalo), while bison are native to North America and Europe. Bison have a large hump at their shoulders, a thick coat, and a beard.
You’ll find plenty of bison in North Dakota, but no buffalo.
Drinks
COFFEE
Hidden Springs Java
They offer espresso, lattes (Try the huckleberry latte!), smoothies, frappés, bakery items, chocolates, and more. Non-dairy milk and gluten-free baked goods are available.
LIBATIONS
Medora Uncork’d
A wine bar that serves a selection of local wines as well as a few small plates and flatbreads. They sometimes have live music as well! Gluten-free, Vegetarian, and Vegan options are available.
Boots Bar & Grill
This restaurant features a full bar and serves draft beer from Beaver Creek Brewery located just over the border in Wibaux, Montana. They also serve typical bar and grill fare with a few North Dakota favorites like bison and elk burger.
Things to Do in Medora
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
You can’t visit Medora without also visiting Teddy Roosevelt National Park. This is the main reason people are drawn to the area, and it’s really all the reason you need. Hike, ride horses, watch wildlife, and drive through the rugged badlands at this amazing National Park. Be on the lookout for prairie dogs, wild horses, and bison – all of which are plentiful in the park.
Read More: 7 Reasons You Need to Visit Theodore Roosevelt National Park
The Medora Musical
Aside from the national park, this historic musical is the pride and joy of the town. The Medora Musical attracts huge crowds from far and wide every night from mid-June through early September. Performed in a large outdoor amphitheater, the show is an ode to Teddy Roosevelt and the spirit of the Old West. The theme always stays the same, but the production is different each year. This is also where you’ll find the acclaimed Pitchfork Steak Fondue (detailed above).
Stroll Around Town
Medora is a pretty cute town and is fun to explore on foot. Wander in and out of the various little shops while you admire the Old West-style buildings and the surrounding badlands.
Cowboy Hall of Fame
I haven’t actually been here myself, but I’ll definitely be making this stop a priority next time I’m in town. Despite its name, the Cowboy Hall of Fame is about more than cowboys. If you want to learn about the history and culture of the area, you’ll want to set aside time to visit this museum.
“The North Dakota Hall of Fame strives to preserve the history and promote the culture of North Dakota’s Native American, ranching and rodeo communities by informing and educating people of all nations and cultures about the state’s rich and colorful western heritage.”
– Cowboy Hall of Fame
Bully Pulpit Golf Course
My dad would never forgive me if I left this off the list. The Bully Pulpit is a world-renowned golf course nestled in the Badlands. This course will take you through meadows, along the Missouri River, and will have you teeing off from the top of buttes.
Medora really is a fun little town, and if you’re headed to Theodore Roosevelt National Park, getting to explore this Old West town will be a welcome added perk to your trip.
Have you been to Medora, or are you planning a trip there soon? If so, what was your favorite, or what are you looking to forward most? Let me know in the comments below!
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