If you’re planning a trip to western North Dakota, Medora deserves a spot on your itinerary!
During our recent six-day North Dakota road trip, our family spent two days exploring this charming western town. While Medora is best known as the gateway to Theodore Roosevelt National Park’s South Unit, we quickly discovered there’s much more to experience—from entertaining live performances and delicious food to museums, local shops, and beautiful scenery.
Whether you’re visiting for a day or spending a weekend, here are the highlights from our family’s visit.
Disclosure: Portions of our North Dakota road trip were hosted. This post also contains affiliate links that help support this site at no cost to you. As always, all opinions are my own.
Why We Chose Medora, North Dakota for a Family Road Trip
Medora had been on my radar for years, but what inspired us to visit was three-fold. First, my husband is from Bismarck and has been to Medora, but not for many years. He has wanted to go back to see how much it’s changed and have me and my teens experience it. Second, the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum just opened in early July! We knew we wanted to be among the first to experience it. Third – the SCENERY. The Badlands are worth seeing at least once in your life. And though they are also in South Dakota, we wanted to experience them at Theodore Roosevelt National Park, both north and south units.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park – South Unit
No trip to Medora is complete without exploring Theodore Roosevelt National Park’s South Unit.
The scenic drive offers breathtaking views of the colorful badlands, and wildlife viewing is one of the biggest highlights. During our visit, we spotted wild horses, bison, prairie dogs, and plenty of beautiful scenery around every turn.
Be sure to stop at the overlooks along the drive—they offer some of the best panoramic views in the park. And bonus – there are restrooms along the drive. 🙂
If you enjoy wildlife, photography, or scenic drives, this is a must-do while visiting Medora.
Note: the north unit is just as stunning, and is worth a visit too. See more about that in my blog post about our visit to Watford City, which is north of Medora.
Also, you’ll need a national park pass to visit Theodore Roosevelt National Park. There are a variety of options – we did the 7-day standard pass which was $30. If you have a 4th grader, be sure to get the FREE 4th grader pass!
Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum
One of Medora’s newest attractions is the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Having opened in early July 2026, the building itself is impressive, blending beautifully into the surrounding landscape. Inside, immersive exhibits tell the story of Theodore Roosevelt’s life and explain how his time in North Dakota helped shape his conservation legacy.
When you enter, you are “onboarded” and given a wristband that becomes very helpful throughout the museum. You answer some questions and get your photo taken (if you are ok with that). Then you walk through Theodore Roosevelt’s life starting in childhood in immersive rooms that take you back in time.
The rest of the museum is divided into themed galleries that continue telling the story of Teddy’s life – Elkhorn Ranch, Battle of San Juan Heights, Path to the Presidency, East Africa, the Amazon, and so on. Each area is different and worth taking time to explore! You can talk with Teddy, run for election and create a campaign poster, travel down the Amazon river in an immersive theater, and so much more. And your wristband unlocks a lot of the activities. It also allows you to see what you’d look like in different places during Teddy’s life (that’s what your photo is for!).
Whether you’re interested in history or simply appreciate innovative museums, this attraction is well worth adding to your itinerary.
Pitchfork Steak Fondue Dinner
One of Medora’s signature experiences is the famous Pitchfork Steak Fondue Dinner.
Located near the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum, here you can enjoy a western-style buffet while taking in spectacular views overlooking Medora. Our meal included steak cooked fondue-style in oil, baked potatoes, baked beans, fresh fruit and vegetables, garlic toast, dessert, and lemonade. There is live music during your meal as well.
Come hungry—there’s plenty of food! You can take as much as you want (I took too much and couldn’t finish it but it was all amazing).
The relaxed atmosphere and beautiful setting make this much more than just dinner.
Tip: Arrive early for the best choice of seats and sit close to the buffet for best chance of getting first in line.
SAVE: Kids 12 and Under eat FREE all summer – kids hotdog meals are free for all kids all summer long!
Medora Musical
After dinner, walk just a few steps to the Medora Musical.
The evening begins with a scenic ride down the outdoor escalator into the amphitheater overlooking the badlands. There’s also an elevator that you can take instead.
The two-hour production features talented singers, dancers, live musicians, audience participation, live horses, fireworks, and a special guest performer. During our visit, the guest performer was an incredible comedian and juggler. There are even cute bear characters that invite all the kids onstage for a performance!
One of my favorite parts was that the show blends classic western traditions with modern music, creating an entertaining experience for all ages.
It was one of the highlights of our entire North Dakota road trip.
SAVE: Kids age 17 and under are FREE every Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday all summer long!
On Tuesdays, seniors are 15% off.
Also, save by bundling the Pitchfork Steak Fondue dinner and Medora Musical for $89.95.
North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame
To learn more about the history and culture of the American West, visit the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame.
The museum highlights ranching, rodeo, Native American heritage, western art, and the people who helped shape western North Dakota.
It’s a fascinating stop that helps visitors better understand the region before exploring Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
Harold Schafer Heritage Center
History lovers should also stop by the Harold Schafer Heritage Center. Plus it’s FREE to visit!
The museum tells the story of Harold Schafer, the entrepreneur behind the iconic Mr. Bubble and Gold Seal products, and his lasting impact on Medora’s preservation and development.
It’s an interesting look at how one person’s vision helped transform Medora into the destination visitors enjoy today.
SAVE: Be sure to visit this museum because it’s not only interesting but it’s FREE!
The Free Trolley!
New to Medora is a FREE trolley that goes from attraction to attraction. We didn’t ride it as we had a van and limited time, but I loved this! There are two that go around Medora and it is convenient especially if you’re staying in Medora or just want a fun ride around.
Explore Downtown Medora
One of the best parts of visiting Medora is simply walking through downtown.
The streets are lined with locally owned shops selling western apparel, souvenirs, gifts, books, artwork, and North Dakota-made products.
Allow yourself some time to browse—you never know what unique treasures you’ll find. (How do I look in a cowboy hat?)
Where We Ate in Medora
Badlands Pizza
If you’re looking for a casual family meal, Badlands Pizza is a great option.
We had two pizzas – one was half cheese and half Hawaiian, and the other pizza was their Badlands Bob specialty pizza with Pepperoni, Garlic Sausage, Smoked Sausage, Bacon, and Mini Drop Peppers. We ate every bite of both pizzas!
After a day of sightseeing, pizza was exactly what our family wanted. The relaxed, western atmosphere makes it an easy choice for families visiting Medora.
Sweet Treats
No visit is complete without ice cream! I heard from a friend that you have to have ice cream in Medora, and I found out soon why. It’s so good! Plus, it felt good in the 100+ degree temps we had during our stay.
We cooled off with treats from both Hatlee & Brae and the Fudge & Ice Cream Depot. Both are fun stops during a summer visit and perfect for ending the day with something sweet. Be sure to try the Huckleberry ice cream if you can!
There are other restaurants in Medora too – like the Little Missouri Saloon & Dining Room, Boots Bar & Grill, Bread & Butter, and Farmhouse Cafe, to name a few.
Tips for Visiting Medora
- Spend at least two days if your schedule allows.
- Purchase tickets for the Medora Musical and Pitchfork Steak Fondue in advance during the busy summer season.
- Allow plenty of time to explore Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
- Bring binoculars for wildlife viewing.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes.
- Summer temperatures can be hot, so bring water and sunscreen.
Where We Stayed While Visiting Medora
We actually stayed in Dickinson, which was about 40 minutes east of Medora. We found the perfect Airbnb for our family. We wanted a house so we could spread out and each have space, and this 3-bedroom, 2-bath house in a quiet neighborhood was perfect. And the drive wasn’t bad each way each day – it was scenic, and we were able to visit some places in Dickinson as well including the Badlands Dinosaur Museum.
Is Medora Worth Visiting?
Absolutely.
Before this trip, I knew Medora was famous for Theodore Roosevelt National Park. What surprised me was how much there was to experience beyond the park itself.
From world-class entertainment and unique dining experiences to fascinating museums, scenic landscapes, and welcoming small-town charm, Medora offers something for every member of the family.
It’s the kind of destination where you can spend the morning spotting bison, enjoy an afternoon learning about western history, and end the day watching an incredible outdoor musical under the North Dakota sky.
If you’re planning a North Dakota road trip, I highly recommend spending at least two days in Medora. It was one of our family’s favorite stops and a place we’d happily visit again!
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