12 Great Things to Do in Medora, North Dakota in the Summer
Summer looked a lot different for us this year! Usually, we’re bouncing around, always on the move, exploring somewhere new. But after finding out about our baby girl due in November (so exciting!), we decided it was time to slow down a bit and stay in one place for the summer. So, we chose Medora, North Dakota—a place we had never been before!
Since it’s a small, tourist-driven town, the population really comes to life during the summer months! To meet the demands of the tourist season, Medora relies heavily on seasonal workers—many of whom come from all over the country just for the summer, which is exactly what we did! I spent the season working at Bully Pulpit Golf Course, and I had such a blast!
But unfortunately, we had some heartache while we were in Medora. We had to say goodbye to our beloved dog, Bella, who passed away unexpectedly while we were there.
Though it was a bittersweet time, Medora left a lasting impression on us. We got to experience attractions like the Medora Musical, hiking in Theodore Roosevelt National Park, seeing the hot air balloon fest, and more! So if you are planning a trip to Medora in the summer, here are the very best things we did!
Nestled in the rugged Badlands of western North Dakota, Medora is a tiny town with a big dose of Old West charm.
Medora’s story begins in the 1880s, when a French nobleman named Marquis de Morès founded the town with the dream of establishing a cattle empire. He named it after his wife, Medora von Hoffman, and built the historic Chateau de Morès as their summer residence.
The Marquis also constructed a meat-packing plant and other enterprises, hoping to create a bustling hub of commerce in the Badlands. Spoiler alert: it didn’t quite pan out, and the Marquis left the area after just a few years.
Despite this, the town of Medora survived, largely thanks to its location and the railroad that passed through town.
The town might have faded into obscurity if not for Theodore Roosevelt, who spent considerable time in the Badlands after the death of his wife and mother in 1884. Roosevelt’s experiences in the area deeply influenced his conservation efforts and ultimately his presidency.
Today, the town honors him with the Theodore Roosevelt National Park, where you can hike, camp, and soak in the same breathtaking views that inspired the 26th President.
Best Things to do in Medora North Dakota
1. Theodore Rosevelt National Park
Theodore Roosevelt National Park is absolutely stunning and we just loved driving through the south unit of the park, since the entrance is located in downtown Meodra.
We spotted tons of wildlife like prairie dogs, wild horses, coyotes, a fox, and SO MANY bison! If you’re planning a visit, here’s what I’d recommend based on what we’ve explored.
Wind Canyon Trail: This hike was hands down our favorite. It’s a short, easy hike with a huge payoff. You walk along the edge of a canyon with views of the Little Missouri River, especially stunning at sunset and it’s only about half a mile!
Buck Hill: If you’re looking for a great viewpoint, drive up to the highest point in the South Unit—Buck Hill. It’s not really a hike, but the view from up there is incredible and totally worth the short climb.
Coal Vein Trail: This loop trail is about 2 miles and gives a good mix of badlands views, rolling hills, and some cool geology.
You can get an Annual Pass for Theodore Roosevelt National Park for $55. But if you’re like me and love checking out different National Parks, the America the Beautiful Pass is only $80 and definitely worth it! It gives you access to so many parks, so it’s a great deal if you plan on exploring more of the US!
2. Medora Musical
The Medora Musical is seriously one of the coolest things you can do while you’re in town! It features a big, outdoor musical set in the beautiful Burning Hills Amphitheatre, with the badlands as the backdrop—it’s stunning.
The show is all about celebrating the life of Theodore Roosevelt and the spirit of the Old West, with a mix of classic country music, dancing, and comedy. They even throw in some fun local history!
We found ourselves singing along to the patriotic songs and laughing at the comedy bits. Plus, the show ends every single night with a bang (literally) there were fireworks!
It was a fun experience, and we actually went more than once! The show runs from June through September, with ticket prices around $40 for adults and $20 for children. Get tickets for the Medora Musical here!
3. Hike the Maah Daah Hey Trail at Sully Creek State Park
The Maah Daah Hey Trail is a 144-mile long that wanders through the North Dakota badlands, with 16 different trailheads!
We chose to hike the trailhead near Sully Creek State Park, which overlooks the Bully Pulpit Golf Course. This section of the hike is about 2 miles and has a bench to sit and enjoy the view at the top!
If you hike all the way to the Golf course, its a bit further at 5.8 miles out-and-back.
4. Play 18 Holes at Bully Pulpit Golf Course
Set against the backdrop of North Dakota badlands, this 18-hole course is known for its challenging layout with several holes winding through rugged terrain. (And, I might be a little biased since I worked there all summer, but it’s STUNNING!)
The course hosts a ton of tournaments you can participate in, and it’s open to the public, making it one of the top 100 golfing destinations in the region!
Jake and I had such a blast playing the course. We are amateur golfers for sure but the course is so scenic that you can’t help but have a good time (even if you suck at golf!) Our favorite hole was 15, where there is no fairway, its just the tee box, and the putting green!
Green fees for 18 holes in the Summer is $129 and is open from sun up to sun down from April to October. Book your tee times here.
5. Point-to-Point Park (Mini golf, Lazy River & Zipline!)
The point-to-point park is one of the best family-friendly attractions in Medora. It includes a bunch of fun activities all in one location including the 18-hole Little Bully Pulpit Mini golf course, a Lazy River pool, and the Manitou zipline!
There are also free activities here too like the splash pad, a pickleball court, and the jump pillow. Our nephews had SO much fun at the point-to-point park when they came to visit us in July! It’s definitely a must-do if you are bringing your kiddos to Medora.
If you want the best deal on the point to point park you can look into getting the Play All-Day Package, which includes 1 round of mini golf, 1 ride on the Manitou Zipline, and 1 admission to the Lazy River & Pool.
What we loved about the package is that you can spread out the activities over different days. They give you tokens for the zipline and mini golf, so we spent a whole day just at the pool, and then on another day, we did mini golf and the zipline. It made it super easy to enjoy everything without feeling rushed.
6. Hike through the Petrified Forest
The Petrified Forest is part of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, but it actually isn’t located at the main entrance to the South Unit. It’s a bit out of the way, but totally worth the drive if you’re up for an adventure.
To get there, you’ll need to head about 10 miles west of Medora, away from the main park entrance. You’ll take the I-94 west, get off at exit 23, and follow a gravel road (Forest Service Road 895) to the Petrified Forest trailhead.
The hike itself is around 10 miles round trip if you do the full loop, but you don’t have to go that far to see some really cool petrified wood. The trail takes you through fields of petrified logs, remnants of ancient trees that are millions of years old and turned to stone.
We did this hike when our friends visited and we thought it was neat! We also saw a bison grazing in the grasslands, so that was a bonus.
Be prepared—there’s not a ton of shade on this hike, and it can get hot, so bring lots of water and sunscreen.
7. Have a Scoop (or Two!) of Ice Cream at Hatlee + Brae
Pregnancy cravings hit hard during our summer in Medora, but luckily, Hatlee + Brae was there to save the day. We must have tried every flavor of ice cream they offered, but my absolute favorite was the “Jolted Cow” (coffee ice cream loaded with chunks of chocolatey goodness), I could never get enough!
We’d often walk downtown after dinner and indulge in a scoop (or two). It became our little summer tradition, and I’m pretty sure our baby girl will be born with an ice cream obsession, just like her momma!
Hatlee + Brae also offers other sweet drinks and treats like frozen lemonade, smoothies and lattes! Plus, they have a ton of cute trinkets and souvenirs that you can check out while you are waiting in line.
8. Hike Through the Painted Canyon
Painted Canyon is another georgous spot to check out in Theodore Roosevelt National Park, and it’s where our friend Shenae took our 20-week pregnancy announcement photos! The Badlands backdrop is seriously unreal.
Just like Petrified Forest, the Painted Canyon is a bit of a drive, but super easy to get to! It’s located right off I-94 at the rest area, east of Medora. Even if you’re short on time, the overlook gives you an incredible panoramic view.
But if you’ve got a little more time, there’s a short hike that takes you down into the canyon, and it’s totally worth it. The trail is steep going down, but the views are epic, and you feel like you’re right in the heart of the badlands.
9. Pitchfork Steak Fondue
Another thing Medora is known for is its Pitchfork Steak Fondue, and even though it’s one of the few things we didn’t do while there, it definitely sounded like it was worth the hype. The pitchfork steak fondue features juicy New York Strip steaks, skewered on pitchforks, and cooked to perfection over an open flame.
The meal is served buffet-style, where you can load up on baked beans, baked potatoes, garlic toast, coleslaw, vegetables, fresh fruit salad, brownies, and cinnamon-sugar donuts! And the views from the dining area are hard to beat.
The cost to dine at the Pitchfork Steak Fondue from June 5 to September 7, is $40.95 per person and inclues a 12oz steak and buffet. Get your tickets here!
10. Get a Coffee at Hidden Springs Java
If you’re in Medora this summer and need a pick-me-up, you have to stop by Hidden Springs Java. This cozy coffee shop quickly became our favorite, and it’s easy to see why it’s a local favorite too! Beyond their amazing coffee, they offer a great selection of teas, smoothies, and mouth watering pastries.
One of our favorite things to do on my days off work was grab a drink from Hidden Springs Java and then head over to the Harold Schafer Heritage Center & Museum just across the street. We’d sit in their beautifully shaded outdoor patio area while sipping our drinks. Highly recommend!
11. See the Hot Air Balloon Fest in September
We got to see the Medora Hot Air Balloon Fest in September, and it was amazing! About a dozen colorful balloons filled the sky over the badlands! The festival takes place Saturday and Sunday morning right in Medora, which we got up early for, and it was totally worth it.
If you’re in the area during the festival, I’d highly recommend checking it out. Even if you’re not riding in a balloon, just being there to watch the launch is a cool experience! Just look at these pictures our friend Blake took! Unreal.
12. Horseback Riding through the North Dakota Badlands
One thing I really wish we could have done during our summer in Medora was horseback riding, but being pregnant, I had to skip out on that adventure.
You get to see views of the Little Missouri River, rolling hills, and the badlands. Plus, you’re more likely to spot wildlife since you’re moving quietly through the area. We were so bummed to miss out because of my pregnancy, but it’s a great way to experience the area if you can.
They offer rides ranging from short, one-hour trips to longer, two-hour adventures, depending on how much time you want to spend out there. Most of the rides are geared toward beginners, so even if you’ve never been on a horse before, you’re in good hands. The guides know the trails well and often share fun stories and history about the area as you go!
Rides are offered from May 25 to September 7, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. A 1-hour ride costs $52.95, and 2-hour rides are $99.95.
Dining in Downtown Medora
Medora’s downtown is full of charm, with all kinds of cute shops to explore. Here are some of the best places to eat in Medora, based on our experience:
Medora Uncork’d: Hands down our favorite, they had the best food in town! We especially loved their pizza (like the blueberry meatball—it was delicious!), and we found ourselves coming back more than once. Plus, they have a lovely selection of North Dakota wines.
Rough Riders Dining: Though it’s definitely pricey, the food is fantastic. I had the duck, and Jake loved the bison osso bucco. The food is high-quality, and it feels like more of a fine dining spot. If you’re okay with the splurge, it’s worth it!
The Farmhouse Café: Pretty solid choice if you’re looking for a more casual meal. The food was good, and it’s a nice place for breakfast or lunch if you want something laid back.
Boots Bar & Grill: This place had a super fun atmosphere, but the food was just okay. If you’re going for drinks and a lively vibe, it’s a good spot, but don’t expect anything spectacular on the menu.
Little Missouri Saloon: Again, great atmosphere, but the food was a bit “meh” overall. However, I did like their fried pickles. It’s a good place if you’re just looking to hang out and grab a drink, but we weren’t blown away by the meals.
Places to Stay in Medora
Medora Campground: We stayed here for the summer, and it’s super convenient. It’s right by town and has full hookups for RVs, plus tent sites if you’re camping. The location is great for easy access to the park and all the attractions in Medora.
Boondocking in Little Missouri National Grassland: Just west of town, you can find free camping options in the Little Missouri National Grassland. It’s more of a primitive setup—no hookups—but it’s peaceful and scenic. Perfect if you’re into boondocking and don’t mind being off-grid. This is where we stayed when our friends came to visit!
Rough Riders Hotel: If you want something more traditional, this historic hotel is right in the heart of Medora. It’s got a classic, old-timey vibe and is super close to all the main attractions.
Tips for Visiting Medora in the Summer
Stock Up on Groceries: Unless you plan to eat out for every meal, we highly suggest you stock up on groceries before you come. Dickinson is the best place to stock up on everything you need, since there’s no real grocery store in Medora. The C-store in town has a few basics, like milk and eggs but it’s very limited.
Visit During the Week: Weekends can get super busy with tourists, so if you can, plan your visit for the weekdays. You’ll have a better chance of enjoying the attractions without the crowds.
Be prepared for the Heat: I was NOT expecting Medora to be so HOT! There were many 90+ degree days that made it hard to enjoy being outside. If you’re hiking or planning outdoor activities, start early in the day to beat the heat.
Final Thoughts
Looking back on our summer in Medora, it was truly a special chapter in our lives. We embraced the slower pace and soaked in everything this charming old west town had to offer.
The new friendships we made at the campground and Bully Pulpit meant the world to us, and we’re so thankful for all our friends and family who came to visit and support us through this time, we appreciate you more than words can say!
Saying goodbye to Medora felt bittersweet. We’ll carry Bella in our hearts forever, she was my best friend, and I’m absolutely heartbroken that she is gone.
Rest in puppy paradise, my sweet Bella girl. 💔
