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Major city · United States

Medora

Stay 1–2 nights in season (late May–early Sep): the Musical, Pitchfork Fondue and the park loop fill one full day; outside season most of town shuts.

Weather
see forecast
Currency
USD
Best months
Late May–early Sep (park and shows open)
avoid Nov–Mar (seasonal closures, cold)
Airports
DIK · BIS
Nights
1–2
Not field-verifiedbasic guide
Print / PDF guide
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
  • North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
  • North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
  • North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
  • United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
  • United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
  • United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
  • United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.

Medora is a small western-themed resort town at the north entrance of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, on I-94 in western North Dakota. Almost everything — the Medora Musical, Pitchfork Steak Fondue, the Rough Riders Hotel, the shops — runs on a summer season, so the town is either busy or near-empty depending on the date. It works as a one- or two-night base for the park's South Unit, not as a standalone destination.

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Medora, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • Coffee$3–5
  • Sit-down mealSteak fondue dinner$35–50 (check)
  • Budget bedCampsite, a night, per roomUS$25
  • Mid-range bedMotel room, a night, per roomUS$150
  • High-end bedMotel room, a night, per roomUS$250

A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$90 · Mid US$160 · High US$280

Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park South UnitMedora MusicalPitchfork Steak FondueRough Riders HotelBadlands scenery
Airports
DIK Dickinson Theodore Roosevelt Regional (About 36 mi east; small regional airport, limited flights — check schedules.) · BIS Bismarck Municipal (About 135 mi east; larger airport with more connections.)

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Medora: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

−3°C

−14°C

6 rd

Feb

0°C

−12°C

6 rd

Mar

7°C

−6°C

7 rd

Apr

14°C

0°C

8 rd

May

20°C

6°C

10 rd

Jun

25°C

11°C

11 rd

Jul

30°C

14°C

9 rd

Aug

29°C

13°C

8 rd

Sep

23°C

7°C

7 rd

Oct

15°C

1°C

6 rd

Nov

5°C

−7°C

6 rd

Dec

−1°C

−13°C

6 rd

High / low °C · rd = rain days

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

Medora is small and walkable in the centre. A car is needed for the national park, the ranches and anything outside town; I-94 exits 23 and 27 serve the town.

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Theodore Roosevelt National Park, South Unit

go

Door to door: Under 15 min to entrance

Drive from town to the park entrance; scenic loop road

The main reason to come; allow half a day for the loop and short trails.

Dickinson

go

Door to door: About 40 min

I-94 east, about 36 mi

Larger town for fuel, groceries and services.

Belfield

caution

Door to door: About 25 min

I-94 east, about 20 mi

Small service stop; little to see.

Beach, North Dakota

caution

Door to door: About 30 min

I-94 west, about 25 mi

Small border town; useful for fuel.

Bowman

overnight

Door to door: About 2 h

Drive south via US-85 and ND-22

Too far for a comfortable return day.

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Downtown Medora (Pacific Ave / Third Ave)

Walkable to shops, restaurants and the Rough Riders Hotel; best if you have no car in the evening.

River Road / campground area

Motels and campgrounds west and south of the centre; short drive to town.

Guest ranches outside town

Bar X, Buffalo Gap and similar ranches sit several miles out on River Road or near Exit 18; you need a car.

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
$80–130 excl. bed
Mid
$130–220 excl. bed
High
$220+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Motel room1 × 2 nights × US$150US$300
Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × US$160US$640
Medora Musical ticket2 × US$45 · checkUS$90
Pitchfork Steak Fondue2 × US$40 · checkUS$80
National park entry (per vehicle)1 × US$30 · checkUS$30
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurgeUS$114
Trip total≈ US$314 per person per day, bed includedUS$1,254

2026 estimate in US dollars; taxes and park fees excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

Coffee$3–5
Casual meal$12–20
Steak fondue dinner$35–50 (check)
Medora Musical ticket$40–60 (check)
Motel room, summer$100–250
Gasoline, per gallon$3–4

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Medora is a small, low-crime town; the real risks are driving distances, summer heat and wildlife in the park. 911 works throughout.
  • Most businesses are seasonal; outside late May–early September many are closed — check dates before booking.
  • Cell coverage and services are thin outside town; fuel up in Dickinson or Belfield.
  • Summer heat and sudden thunderstorms in the badlands; carry water on trails.
  • Wildlife (bison) in the park: keep distance, do not approach on foot.

Emergency numbers

Police, fire, ambulance
911
Poison control
1-800-222-1222

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

MedoraMedora

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

To this address, pleaseTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police, fire, ambulance911
  • Poison control1-800-222-1222

Embassy

No embassies in Medora; nearest consular services are in larger cities such as Denver or Minneapolis — check.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Park entry, per vehicle: about $30 (check)
  • Medora Musical ticket: $40–60 (check)

Say or show

  • Thank you — Thank you
  • Where is the park entrance? — Where is the park entrance?

Seasonal town: confirm opening dates before travelling.

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Medora. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: Late May–early Sep (park and shows open) · avoid Nov–Mar (seasonal closures, cold) · month by month →
  2. 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 5 day-trips, door to door
  6. 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
  2. Walking clusters with bag rules
  3. Day plans checked against opening hours
  4. Field-verified times and fares

Meanwhile

Back to United States

Sources