On our way through North Dakota, we stopped just outside Theodore Roosevelt National Park and boondocked in the Scoria Pit dispersed camping area of the Little Missouri National Grasslands. This spot was right next to the tourist town of Medora. We were there in the shoulder season, meaning we were outside of peak, but the weather was still nice. What this meant for us was most of the town was closed. There were still several things we were able to see and do, however.
Read more: Medora North DakotaMedora Chimney park
This is part of the history of Medora. The city was initially centered around cattle ranching and beef processing; the chimneys at the park are all that remain of the original packing plant. A horrible winter, that killed off most of the cattle, crippled the town until it was re-imagined as a tourist stop at the gates to Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
Medora Cowboy Hall of Fame
While I wasn’t present for this one, Mom took lots of pictures. The Cowboy Hall of Fame is dedicated to ranching, rodeo, and the western history of the region. The Boy loved the displays of various rifles and shotguns, while the girl loved the tiaras and crowns of the rodeo princesses and queens. Mom loved the exhibit on the indigenous people.
Medora Transportation Museum
The City of Medora really likes to lean into Teddy Roosevelt and his relationship with the area. Part of this was his part in the creation of the Panama Canal. The Medora Transportation Museum, while billed as a museum, is really just an exhibit on the Panama Canal tacked onto the pro shop for the Bully Pulpit Golf Course. The area was being taken over by the pro shop, with products displayed on tables and counters, covering up information about the Canal. Still, there was a documentary to watch that was filled with great information, and it’s hard to beat the price of free admission.
Medora Playground
The tiny town of Medora has the most awesome playground! It’s built so it looks like a miniature western town, but inside, there’s a sandbox, monkey bars, a climbing wall, bridges and stairs, balancing poles, and more. There is seating outside for parents, but it’s in the sun, so all the parents sat inside in the shade. There are public bathrooms nearby, but we didn’t need to use them.
Closed Attractions
There were many, many attractions that were closed, but that was probably for the best, as we had plenty to do as it was! You would need a week of solid activity to see and do everything, or a month to have some downtime, too.
Medora Musical
Chateau de Mores State Historical Site
Dakota Cyclery – they rent bicycles
Maah Daah Hey Trail – it’s open year-round, but much longer than we were up for
Medora Campground – again, it was open (it’s where we dumped waste and refilled our water), but we didn’t stay there
Medora Riding Stables and Trail Rides
Zipline
Little Bully Pulpit Miniature Golf
Billings County Courthouse Museum
The Teddy Roosevelt Show
Live Music on the Town Square Patio
Harold Schafer Heritage Center
Von Hoffman House
Badlands Shooting Gallery
Escape Medora (escape rooms for the whole family)
Perception – A Magical Accident
Medora Magic Show
Fudge and Ice Cream Depot (we were really sad this was closed!)
And so much more!! Restaurants, shopping, entertainment galore, and numerous options for places to stay!
