Planning a trip and looking for things to do in Medora this summer?
SUMMER TIME MEANS A ROAD TRIP TO MEDORA!
Heading west to Medora, ND is a must-do family vacation for everyone. So we made the planning easier for you with this helpful guide! Even better – check out our FREE PRINTABLE WEEKEND PLANNER below to make your trip even better!
How to use this guide:
Click on each of the images below for a link to that specific to that topic. This will be your greatest resource for all things Medora! Save it, share it, and keep it handy to come back to again and again for planning your family trip this summer. We even included a few itinerary suggestions below!
WEEKEND ITINERARY IDEAS
Stay: Badlands Motel
Friday
Afternoon: Be amazed at the Medora Magic Show.
Evening: Grab a burger at Sheriff Bears and enjoy the Great American Folk Show on the Town Square Patio.
Saturday
Morning: While it’s cool, play a round of mini-golf at Little Bully Pulpit in Point to Point Park.
Afternoon: Enjoy lunch at Badlands Pizza & Saloon. Spend the afternoon walking around town visiting unique shops and take a break at the Fudge & Ice Cream Depot. Or if it’s hot, spend the afternoon in the water enjoying a Lazy Little Mo lazy river and wade-in pool at Point to Point Park.
Evening: Enjoy the Pitchfork Fondue and can’t be missed Medora Musical.
Sunday
Every Sunday at 10:00 a.m., laugh together at the family friendly comedy show Legendary: A Campfire Tale.
Grab lunch at Bread + Butter and pick up a souvenir or two at a nearby shop along the boardwalk before you head back to Fargo.
Stay:Medora Campground Cabins
Friday
Afternoon: Stop at the Painted Canyon Visitor’s Center just a few miles before you reach Medora. A picturesque photo op of the Badlands and lots of fun regional artifacts to get you ready for your trip. Set up camp at the Medora Campground. Take a hike up the south trail of the Maah Daah Hey for an EPIC high top panoramic view of the Little Missouri River. Maybe even dip your toes in the shallow river near camp and splash around.
Evening: Enjoy a campfire and s’mores under the stars.
Saturday
Morning: Drive the scenic loop through Theodore Roosevelt National Park to spot bison, wild horses, a prairie dog town, and if you are lucky big horned sheep or maybe a mountain lion. Find a pull out and take a little hike on one of the many trails in the park.
Afternoon: Enjoy a picnic lunch at an overlook. Rent a mountain bike From Dakota Cylery and spend some time biking the Maah Daah Hey trail or go for a swim at Point to Point Park. Dakota Cyclery Mountain Bike Adventures Bike Rentals
Evening: Go star gazing under the wide open North Dakota sky. Inquire at a visitor center or ranger station for some great options nearby.
Sunday
Morning: Play a round of golf and the famous Bully Pulpit Golf Course.Or take the new Montinue Zip Line at Point to Point Park for a ride with spectacular views.
Afternoon: Grab lunch at the Badlands Pizza Parlor before you head back to Fargo.
Stay: The Elkhorn Quarters or Conestoga Wagon
Friday
Afternoon: Let the kids run after being cooped in the car at the Medora Children’s Park. The all wooden park is filled with bridges, castles, and obstacles at the foot of beautifully formed buttes.
Grab a takeout pizza from Badlands Pizza and enjoy it on the porch of your cabin.
Saturday
Morning: Book a morning trail ride through the Badlands at the Medora Riding Stables.
Afternoon: Grab a quick lunch then cool off in the air conditioning as you walk through the Cowboy Hall of Fame. Take a wild west family photo at Todd’s Old Time Photo Parlor. Bribe your kiddos to smile by promising a stop at Cowboy Lyle’s Candy Barn afterwards.
Evening: Sit down for supper at Boots Bar and Grill or the Little Missouri Saloon.
Sunday
Morning: Take a guided hike at Point to Point Park to get the wiggles out before the drive home.
Afternoon: Make a late lunch stop at the Farmhouse Café before hitting the road.
ULTIMATE GUIDE TO MEDORA
Whether it’s a traditional hotel, a camping spot, or even a rustic cabin or wagon, there are so many great places to stay in Medora! You can stay right in the heart of town, camp off the Maah Daah Hey Trail, or stay under the stars at Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
Check out lodging options here or scroll down to see a full list of places to stay in and around Medora.
It’s a must-see for any Medora vacationer – the Medora Musical! Whether you go every year or are a first-timer, this vibrant show will have you stomping your feet and clapping along with the tunes. There’s even live horses on stage, a reenactment of Teddy Roosevelt’s famous charge during the battle of San Juan Hill, and a HUGE finale with Fireworks!
A trip out west isn’t complete without a visit to Theodore Roosevelt National Park! Take a guided tour, visit the Visitor’s Center, or get really adventurous with a bike ride, hike, horseback ride, or even kayaking through the park. An entrance fee is required, so make sure to plan ahead!
Come hungry, because Medora does NOT disappoint with their food! There are so many family-friendly restaurant options it may be hard to pick which to try. From the classic Pitchfork Steak Fondue to great places for brunch and pizza (plus ice cream!), there’s plenty of options to pick from to satisfy hungry kiddos.
From live music and reenactments to magic and kid’s shows, your trip will be full of entertainment options. There’s even an escape room and the timely classic – old time photos!
Get views you won’t see anywhere else with a family trail ride on horses. Riders must be 7 years old and at least 48 inches tall.
Scroll down for a full list of options for horseback riding.
Playgrounds, toy stores, shows, hiking and biking, and more! There is something to do in Medora for kids of every age. Whether you’re an active family or prefer to stick in town to see the sights, you can find something to fill every day of your trip.
Scroll down to find a comprehensive list of things to do with kids!
The Badlands are full of history, and there are so many opportunities to see the old west up close. From museums and historic sites to reenactments and guided tours, you’ll dive deep into Medora history and learn something new.
Guided hikes are a great way to see the sites, learn some history, and still get back in time to enjoy all the fun Medora has to offer. Find info on guided hikes here, or scroll down to find more hiking opportunities!
The famous Maah Daah Hey Trail is 150 miles of trails that wind through the Badlands, Little Missouri National Grasslands, private land, and Theodore Roosevelt National Park. You can peruse parts of the trail by hiking, biking, or horseback riding. Find their Interactive Trail Map to plan your route!
FULL LIST OF THINGS TO DO IN MEDORA
Black Hills Gold & Gift Outlet
Capital Gallery West
Chateau Nuts
Sacajawea Trading Post
The White House
