Population 125, until summer hits. Then it swells to 500 as Medora transforms into a Western variety show at the edge of the Badlands. The South Unit entrance to Theodore Roosevelt National Park sits in town. No driving required to start hiking. A French Marquis founded Medora in 1883 and named it after his wife. Theodore Roosevelt showed up the same year, ranched the Badlands, and later credited this landscape for making him a conservationist. The town leans hard into that heritage. Outdoor musicals, pitchfork-cooked steaks, a saloon older than statehood. After October 1, nearly everything closes and the 125 residents get the place back.
Where to Stay
Rough Riders Hotel
The historic stay. Theodore Roosevelt slept here, and each room is named for a figure from his era. Downtown location, walking distance to everything. The lobby feels like a Western lodge. Restaurant on-site.
Where to Eat
Pitchfork Steak Fondue
Cowboy chefs spear 12 oz New York strips on pitchforks and fondue them over open flame. Buffet sides, yard games, live music, badlands views. The dinner runs before the Medora Musical, and most visitors do both. Kids 12 and under eat free with a hot dog meal. Reservations recommended.
Little Missouri Saloon
Oldest saloon in Medora, possibly the state. Steaks, bison burgers, brisket. The rooftop deck was voted one of North Dakota's top 10 outdoor dining spots.
Where to Drink
Little Missouri Saloon
This is where Medora drinks. Been pouring for ranchers, road-trippers, and tourists since before North Dakota was a state.
Getting Around
Car needed? Essential
You need a car to reach Medora and to visit the North Unit (70 miles away). Once in town, everything is walkable. The South Unit entrance is steps from downtown.
Beyond the Park
Medora Musical
Outdoor variety show running since 1965, seen by over 4 million people. Country music, patriotic numbers, horses on stage, fireworks at the end. The 2,853-seat amphitheater was carved into the hillside by volunteers in 1958. Runs nightly June through mid-September, except Mondays.
Chateau de Mores State Historic Site
The 26-room mansion the Marquis de Mores built in 1883 as a hunting lodge for his family. Original furnishings, personal effects, the whole French-aristocrat-in-the-Badlands story. State-run museum. Open daily May-September, Tuesday-Saturday in winter.
Pro Tips
- Nearly everything closes after October 1. Plan accordingly.
- The South Unit entrance is in town. You can hike the Badlands without driving anywhere.
- Book Pitchfork Steak Fondue and the Medora Musical together. The dinner is timed to end before the show.
- Roosevelt credited his time ranching here for inspiring his conservation legacy. The park is named for him alone.