Medora North DakotaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Medora, North Dakota.
1. Theodore Roosevelt National Park
MAJESTIC BADLANDS EXPERIENCE
Theodore Roosevelt National Park offers a scenic park with diverse wildlife including bison and wild horses. Visitors can explore informative visitor centers and enjoy a picturesque scenic loop drive with several overlooks. The park serves as a testament to President Roosevelt's conservation legacy and his deep connection to the Badlands.
2. Medora Musical
OUTDOOR WESTERN ENTERTAINMENT SPECTACULAR
The Medora Musical is a professionally produced outdoor musical show celebrating the American West and Theodore Roosevelt's legacy. Performed in the stunning Burning Hills Amphitheatre, the show features talented performers, music, and comedy set against the backdrop of the Badlands. This family-friendly entertainment has been a summer tradition in Medora for decades.
3. Chateau De Mores State Historic Site
HISTORIC FRONTIER MANSION
The Chateau De Mores State Historic Site interprets the North Dakota ambitions of Antoine de Vallombrosa, the Marquis de Morès, who arrived in 1883. The 26-room summer residence showcases original furnishings and personal effects of the de Morès family. Visitors can tour the historic mansion and learn about this French nobleman's attempt to build a cattle empire in the Badlands.
4. North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame
WESTERN HERITAGE CENTER
The North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame features informative exhibits on ranching, cowboy life, homesteading, Dakota settlement, and Native Americans. This cultural center preserves and presents the history and heritage of North Dakota's cowboys, ranchers, and rodeo athletes. Visitors can explore engaging displays that bring to life the rich western traditions of the region.
5. Bully Pulpit Golf Course
DRAMATIC BADLANDS GOLF
Bully Pulpit Golf Course is an 18-hole championship course dramatically set in the North Dakota Badlands. The course features breathtaking views with holes winding through meadows, woodlands, and along the Little Missouri River. Golf Digest has recognized this stunning course as one of America's top public golf courses.
6. Old Town Hall Theater
HISTORIC ENTERTAINMENT VENUE
The Old Town Hall Theater hosts various performances and shows in a charming historic building in downtown Medora. Visitors can enjoy live music, comedy, and theatrical performances in this intimate venue with excellent acoustics. The theater adds to Medora's vibrant cultural scene and provides entertainment options for visitors throughout the season.
7. Badlands Overlook
SPECTACULAR SCENIC VIEWS
The Badlands Overlook provides visitors with breathtaking panoramic views of North Dakota's unique Badlands landscape. From this vantage point, tourists can appreciate the colorful striped buttes, rugged terrain, and vast open spaces that characterize the region. The overlook offers excellent photography opportunities, especially during sunrise and sunset when the light brings out the vivid colors of the landscape.
8. Medora Riding Stables
GUIDED BADLANDS HORSEBACK TOURS
Medora Riding Stables offers guided horseback riding tours through the scenic Badlands terrain. Riders of all experience levels can enjoy trails that showcase the unique landscape and potentially spot native wildlife. These excursions provide an authentic western experience and a memorable way to connect with the landscape that captivated Theodore Roosevelt.
9. Harold Schafer Heritage Center
LOCAL BUSINESS PIONEER MUSEUM
The Harold Schafer Heritage Center celebrates the life and legacy of Harold Schafer, the businessman who revitalized Medora. Exhibits showcase Schafer's entrepreneurial success with Gold Seal Products and his vision for developing Medora as a tourist destination. Visitors can learn about his significant contributions to North Dakota's tourism industry and philanthropic efforts.
10. Maah Daah Hey Trail
EPIC BADLANDS ADVENTURE TRAIL
The Maah Daah Hey Trail is a 144-mile non-motorized trail system winding through the Little Missouri National Grassland. The trail offers spectacular views of the Badlands and opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding through diverse terrain. Adventure seekers can experience multi-day treks or shorter segments of this nationally recognized trail.
11. Pitchfork Steak Fondue
UNIQUE WESTERN DINING EXPERIENCE
The Pitchfork Steak Fondue offers a distinctive dining experience where chefs skewer steaks on pitchforks and fondue them western-style. Guests enjoy their meal on a bluff overlooking the Badlands with stunning sunset views as the backdrop. This popular attraction combines delicious food with entertainment and serves as a perfect prelude to the Medora Musical.
12. De Mores Memorial Park
DOWNTOWN HISTORIC MONUMENT
De Mores Memorial Park features a bronze statue of the Marquis de Mores donated in 1926 by his sons. The statue is surrounded by a flagstone courtyard, created as part of a 1938 WPA project. This downtown park offers a peaceful spot to learn about the founder of Medora and his influence on the area's development.
13. Chimney Park
HISTORIC INDUSTRIAL REMAINS
Chimney Park preserves the remains of the Marquis de Mores' ambitious meat packing plant that once operated on the west edge of Medora. After the building burned in 1907, the tall native clay brick chimney remained standing as a testament to the area's industrial past. Today, visitors can enjoy the picnic area while learning about this important chapter in Medora's economic history.
14. Medora Visitor Center
GATEWAY TO BADLANDS EXPLORATION
The Medora Visitor Center serves as the primary information hub for tourists exploring the historic town and surrounding attractions. Staff provide helpful guidance on local points of interest, accommodations, dining options, and event schedules. The center features informative displays about the area's history and natural features, helping visitors make the most of their Badlands adventure.
15. Western Edge Books, Artwork, Music
LOCAL CULTURE SHOPPING DESTINATION
Western Edge Books, Artwork, Music specializes in literature, art, and music celebrating the American West and North Dakota heritage. Shoppers can browse an extensive collection of books about Theodore Roosevelt, regional history, and western culture alongside locally crafted artwork and music. This charming shop offers authentic souvenirs and cultural items that capture the spirit of Medora and the Badlands.