Best 3-Day Theodore Roosevelt National Park Itinerary in Medora, North Dakota
Let’s not beat around the bush. There is a stereotype that North Dakota is flat and boring. Many people are surprised to learn there is a national park in North Dakota, and when they learn about it, they wonder ‘is it worth it?’ Theodore Roosevelt National Park is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. It easily rivals the beauty of any other national park, and, between you and me, it surpasses the beauty of many.
There’s something special about Medora in western North Dakota. Tucked in the heart of the Badlands at the entrance of the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, this small North Dakota town combines history, adventure, music, and family-friendly fun in a way few places can. If you’re dreaming of fresh air, scenic drives, bison sightings, and cowboy vibes, this 3-day Theodore Roosevelt National Park itinerary is the perfect guide for your next trip.
We recently spent three full days exploring everything Theodore Roosevelt National Park and Medora have to offer, and let me tell you—it’s a weekend we’ll never forget. From hiking along epic trails and breathtaking views to witnessing fascinating wildlife to experiencing a charming small town, this was more than a national park visit. It was a true western experience.
Check out 13 Most Beautiful State and National Parks in the Midwest, if you want more epically stunning Midwest travel ideas.
Everything to know before planning your Theodore Roosevelt National Park Itinerary
What is Theodore Roosevelt National Park famous for?
Theodore Roosevelt National Park is known for its rugged Badlands landscapes, abundant wildlife, and historical ties to President Theodore Roosevelt. This park honors Roosevelt’s deep connection to the land and his role in conservation.
There are sweeping prairie views, unique rock formations, and the chance to see bison, wild horses, and prairie dogs roaming freely. The park also preserves Roosevelt’s historic Elkhorn Ranch site, where he once found solace and inspiration that shaped his environmental legacy.
Where to stay near Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Medora, North Dakota, is the gateway to the park’s South Unit and offers the most lodging options, from cozy motels to family-friendly cabins and vacation rentals. If you stay in Medora, you will be within walking distance of lots of restaurants, shops, and attractions. Although Medora has the most options, it is still a small town so the choices are still limited.
If you’d like to stay in a historical hotel downtown, the Rough Riders Hotel is a good choice. The rooms are small and they book up fast. If you’re looking for hotel amenities near town, AmericInn by Wyndham Medora is the best option. If you’re comfortable with staying at a motel, the Badlands Motel and Elkhorn Quarters are more downtown options.
We stayed at a cabin at Medora Campground. Our cabin was small, but fit two bedrooms and a loft, as well as a small living room sink, mini fridge, microwave, and bathroom. This campground is a fun place for families to stay because it has communal firepits, a small playground, hiking trails by the river, and it’s close to the community pool. There is a paved biking and walking trail to downtown Medora, but because you have to go around the river, it is a 10-15 minute walk to town.
Or if you’d prefer something more remote, you can camp inside the national park at Cottonwood Campground (South Unit) or Juniper Campground (North Unit), both offering beautiful scenery and star-filled night skies.
How much time do you need at Theodore Roosevelt National Park?
You can see the highlights in one day, but I recommend a minimum of two days and three to four if you want to see the North Unit of the park as well. Within three days, you can drive the scenic loops, enjoy several hikes, have more chances to find and view wildlife, and explore Medora’s historic and cultural attractions. The park’s remote location and variety of trails make it worth slowing down and soaking in the landscapes rather than rushing through.
How to get to Theodore Roosevelt National Park
The park’s South Unit is located in Medora, North Dakota, just off Interstate 94. The North Unit is about 70 miles north, near the town of Watford City. The closest airports are Dickinson Theodore Roosevelt Regional Airport (about 35 minutes from Medora) and Bismarck Airport (about two hours away).
We flew into Bismark and rented a car there, then drove on to Medora. Many visitors also fly into larger hubs like Fargo or Minneapolis and combine the park with other Midwest road trip stops. A car is essential for getting around, as there’s no public transportation to or within the park.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park weather
The park experiences all four seasons, with hot summers, cold winters, and dramatic seasonal changes. Summer (June–August) brings warm days in the 70s–90s°F, perfect for hiking—though storms can pop up quickly. We were there in June, and it was in the upper 80s, but it was a dry, windy heat so it felt cooler.
Fall usually has crisp air, fewer crowds, and golden prairie landscapes. Winter can be bitterly cold, with snow and temperatures often below freezing. Spring brings green grass and blooming wildflowers, but also mud from melting snow. Always check the forecast before your visit, look for road closures due to snow or extreme weather, and dress in layers for changing conditions.
Best Theodore Roosevelt National Park hikes
Some of the most popular trails in the South Unit include the Wind Canyon Trail (0.4 miles, easy, with sweeping river views) and the Buck Hill Trail (0.2 miles, short but steep. Definitely worth it for panoramic views that will leave you breathless- only partially because of the incline). These are both on the Scenic Loop from the South Unit.
For a longer trek, try the Petrified Forest Loop (10.3 miles, moderate) to see unique fossilized wood and open prairie. In the North Unit, the Caprock Coulee Trail (4.4 miles, moderate) combines Badlands scenery with river overlooks, and the Achenbach Trail (18 miles, strenuous) is a challenging backcountry route for experienced hikers.
The Elkhorn Ranch Unit, a cabin site where Theodore Roosevelt mourned the loss of his wife and mother, is in the North Unit as well. There is a small museum and some remaining foundation stones of the original cabin. Accessing the North Unit and Petrified Forest Loop will require an additional one hour drive from Medora each way.
The Painted Canyon Nature Trail is also a family-friendly favorite at just one mile. The Painted Canyon Visitor’s Center is a 15-minute drive from Medora. There are excellent lookouts from the Visitor’s Center that don’t require any hiking as well.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park Itinerary for Medora, North Dakota
Day 1: Explore Medora
After checking into our cabin, we headed straight into town. With its rustic wooden boardwalks, frontier-style architecture, and locally owned shops, downtown Medora has so much charm. I felt like I had walked straight into an old western movie! Even the playground, post office, and bank looked like they were straight out of a western film!
That evening, we caught some free live music on the Town Square Patio. It was the perfect place to chill in between the fun. We sat back and just enjoyed the laid-back vibe of Medora, North Dakota. If you want to enjoy a treat while listening to the live music, stop by Medora Fudge and Ice Cream Depot.
In between lunch and dinner, check out more of downtown Medora by exploring the Cowboy Hall of Fame and the historic Chateau de Mores. The Chateau is a 26-room house-turned-museum featuring the life and home of Medora local legend, Antoine de Vallombrosa.
We wrapped up the day with dinner at Theodore’s Dining Room, located inside the Historic Rough Riders Hotel. Theodore’s offers delicious food in a fun, historic, old western atmosphere. For a unique and flavorful dish, try the Bison Ossu Bucco. They had a good selection of marked gluten free items.
Another great option for dinner is Boots Bar and Grill, where you can find burgers and stakes, along with brews and wines, that can be enjoyed on a cozy patio. My kids approved of the pizza.
If you have energy at the end of the evening, head over to Theodore Roosevelt National Park and do the Wild Canyon hike for a great view of the Little Missouri River at sunset. The park is also an excellent place for stargazing.
Day 2: National Park Adventure
A great breakfast option for this morning is Hidden Springs Java. They have coffee, smoothies and tea, along with bagels, scones and muffins. They don’t have many tables, but you can take your breakfast across the street and enjoy it on the patio behind the Harold Schafer Heritage Center.
When we were done, we went to Theodore Roosevelt National Park. We began our morning at the South Unit Visitor Center. National Park Service Visitor Center hours vary, so be sure to check them before arriving. There is a short film you can watch about the history of the park and the Maltese Cross Cabin, one of Theodore Roosevelt’s temporary homes when he lived in North Dakota, is behind the visitor’s center.
We picked up Junior Ranger packets for our kids. After completing activities in the booklets, my kids took a pledge to protect nature and got a Junior Ranger badge. It was adorable to watch my kids do this and see their excitement when they got their badges. Each National Park has their own unique badge, so kids can collect them all.
From there, we set off on the Scenic Loop Drive through the South Unit. Let me just say: have your camera ready. Highlights of our drive were spotting bison, a herd of wild horses, and lots of prairie dogs. The badlands landscape was unlike anything we’d ever seen—jagged, colorful, and went on for miles. It was so beautiful and exceeded all of my expectations.
We stopped to hike three iconic trails: Buck Hill, Wind Canyon Trail, Boicourt Overlook Trail, and Coal Creek Vein Trail. I liked them all for different reasons. Buck Hill shocked me the most, because when you get to the top of this .2-hill you see badlands for as far as the eye can see and you realize how truly vast this space is.
Another easy trail on the scenic loop to check out is the Prairie Dog Town via the Buckhorn Trail. This easy 1.9-mile hike allows you to hike around prairie dog homes, but you will also see plenty of prairie dog towns as you drive through the park.
I loved the Wind Canyon Trail because it had epic views of the canyon and river. The Coal Creek Vein Trail was interesting because it burned for more than 25 years. As we drove through the park, I literally cried happy tears at the opportunity I had to see one of the most beautiful places in the country.
After the national park, stop by for lunch at Little Missouri Saloon & Dining Room. This restaurant keeps the western vibes going and has delicious dishes like steaks, sandwiches and pizza. For a unique experience, try a buffalo or elk burger.
After our adventures at the national park, we headed to one of Medora’s most beloved traditions: the Pitchfork Steak Fondue followed by the Medora Musical. Pitchfork Steak Fondue is just as strange and wonderful as it sounds. They take large steaks and put them on to pitchforks. They dip them into huge barrels of oil and fry them.
I’m not usually much of a steak person, but I devoured mine. Dinner was buffet style and all you can eat, with live folk music entertainment while you eat. Dinner was served on a bluff overlooking the badlands. The food was delicious, and it was such a fun and iconic experience. If you’re on the fence about doing this, I highly recommend it, because it is a Medora classic.
We took our seats for the Medora Musical. There was a lot of hype leading up to the musical and I can honestly say that it lived up to it. It was family- friendly with laid back vibes, but big performance production. There was a special song for the kids, where they got to come up on stage. At the end they got a small bag with taffy candies in it.
Needless to say, my kids thought it was the best. At the end of the show, there are fireworks, which made the whole night even more magical. Again, if you’re wondering if this is worth it, let me assure you that this is a must if you’re in Medora.
Day 3: More Medora Fun
On your final day in Medora, check out Farmhouse Cafe. They deliver an amazing home cooked breakfast, which we all really enjoyed. Get there early in the summer, as there may be a wait. They are also open for lunch.
On our final morning, we hit the Point-to-Point Trail, a stunning 1.5-mile hike that showcases the town and its badlands backdrop. Built directly into the hills above Medora, the trail offers outdoor lovers a chance to go “over, under, through — but never around,” in the words of Theodore Roosevelt. This might be an unpopular opinion, but I actually enjoyed this trail even more than the ones in the national park. It was less busy and offered epic views. The steep ladder at the beginning is not for anyone who is afraid of heights, however.
We followed that up with a stop at Point-to-Point Park. The park has a free jump pillow and splash pad and tickets for zip lines, mini golf, a lazy river and an illusion house. Our family enjoyed the zip line and mini golf. My kids also didn’t want to be pulled away from the free jump pillow. We didn’t get a chance to swim in the lazy river, but I was told it was heated to 85 degrees, so it would still be fun even on a chilly day! For a quick bite, grab lunch at the park concession stand with options like hot dogs, tacos in a bag, snow cones and snacks.
Another great lunch spot is Bread + Butter, offering sandwiches, wraps and salads. Don’t forget to try out one of their signature sodas, as well.
Before heading out of town, we caught the Medora Magic Show. Talented magician, Colin Zasadny, surprised us with illusions and card tricks that had us all laughing and wondering, “How did he do that?” The looks on my kids’ faces during the show were the best part.
If you have extra time, consider exploring nearby Rough Riders State Park or sections of the Maah Daah Hey Trail. Both offer even more ways to soak in the natural beauty and history of North Dakota.
For a final dinner, stop by Badlands Pizza and Saloon. Enjoy one final experience in the old west, while enjoying delicious pizza and a well-deserved beer for the parents. Then make your kids extra happy (ok, and you too) by walking over to Hatlee & Brae for ice cream.
If you can stay for one or two additional days…
If you can add another day or two on two your trip, I would recommend taking a day trip to stop at the other Theodore Roosevelt National Park units, especially the North Loop, which I have heard is exceedingly beautiful. Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to make it there, but I would absolutely love to go back and when we do, it’ll be a must-see for us.
Final Thoughts
Our 3-day Theodore Roosevelt National Park itinerary gave us time to unplug, explore, and connect as a family. Medora might be a small town, but it’s packed with big experiences. The combination of Roosevelt National Park, local culture, trail adventures, and historic sites makes it one of the most rewarding national park trips we’ve taken.
After posting about Theodore Roosevelt National Park on my social media accounts, one person direct messaged me and said, “It started as a place I wanted to check off and ended up being one of the most beautiful places I have ever been.” I felt like that was a good synopsis of the magic of Theodore National Park and Medora, North Dakota.
If you’re looking for more Midwestern adventures, check out the 10 Best Midwest Fall Trips (it includes another beautiful location in North Dakota)!
Whether you’re planning your first visit or returning for another go-round, let this Theodore National Park itinerary be your guide to an unforgettable weekend in Medora, North Dakota, United States.
