Why you need to stay more than one night in Medora North Dakota

Medora, North Dakota! This little town in western North Dakota was once a ghost town, but starting in the 60’s, it began transforming into what it is today: a fun destination, not just a town to pass through on your road trip. 

While we were talking to other visitors in town, we learned they were only stopping in for a day or one night at most. Cole and I looked at each other and wondered how that’s possible! We spent two nights and three days in Medora and could have stayed longer. This little town is so fun! Here’s why you should stay longer too.

And make sure to stop in Fargo on the way! Click here for my guide to 24 hours in Fargo/Moorhead!

Where we stayed

The first reason why you should stay more than one night in Medora North Dakota is because you can stay for cheap. And I mean really cheap! We paid $75 per night (that’s basically half the price of a normal hotel) to stay at Elkhorn Quarters and it was exactly what we needed, plus is was really cute! A bed, shower, A/C, plenty of outlets for our gear, and even a pool! Be advised that the walls are thin though, so bring some earplugs if you’re a light sleeper.

Medora North Dakota Experiences

Walk around downtown

Yes, Medora is a town built around tourism, but it has a rich history! Start your time off by taking a stroll around downtown to see the old saloon, church, post office, all which are still around today! The backdrop of the badlands on this little town is seriously breathtaking. There’s no other place like it!

Take a horse drawn tour

If you’d rather not walk, take a tour of downtown in a horse-drawn wagon for just $15 per person (ages 5-17 is $10 and 4 and under is free). Tours start east of the Cowboy Hall of Fame and last about 30 minutes. Just walk up to that spot and wait in line….it never gets long and people are helped on a first come first serve basis. Tours run Thursday – Saturday from 10-5 and Sunday from 2-6.

Try your hand at the shootout saloon

This will probably be the only time you’ll ever see me holding a gun, but we had to try the shootout saloon located right downtown. Just walk up, get some quarters and play! Cole and I had a blast doing this and the best part is is that it’s run by volunteers! Fun Fact: Medora brings in about 25 new volunteers each week to work the shops and help visitors. So cool!

Catch the Medora Musical

The one thing that can’t be missed in Medora North Dakota is the Medora Musical. I grew up in theater and always catch a show when I can, so when I saw that this show was held outside and had live horses and fireworks, I had to go! The musical is held every night in the summer at 7:30 and is full of singing, dancing, corny jokes, and history about Medora. I loved every moment of it and you will too! Super family friendly…there’s nothing else like it!

Medora North Dakota Scenery

Hike the Petrified forest

Medora is the gateway to Theodore Roosevelt National Park and the beautiful badlands of North Dakota. The scenery here is unreal and so is the hiking! We decided to hike the Petrified Forest Loop via the South Petrified forest trail. A petrified forest is basically fossilized wood and it’s so cool to see – it feels like you’re on the moon! We hiked through grasslands, up and down rocks, and even saw a wild horse! 10/10 would recommend this hike!

Visit the Painted Canyon

 

If you would rather see the views without the hike, make your way to the Painted Canyon Visitor Center right off Interstate 94 for breathtaking sights of the badlands. This spot is much easier to get to than the Badlands Overlook and takes less time. There’s even a hike you can do here! Make sure to look around because we saw bison here too!

Medora North Dakota Shopping

Medora Boot and Western Wear

If you wanna feel like a real cowgirl or cowboy, stop by Medora Boot and Western Wear. We loved browsing this shop and imagining what we would buy if we were ranchers out west 🙂

Roosevelt’s Outpost

Located downtown near the entrance to Theodore Roosevelt National Park is Roosevelt’s Outpost. Here is where you can find all your national park goodies, from posters to postcards and even the patches and pins we love to collect when we travel! 

JQ Clothing Co

JQ Clothing Co is the place to go for cute clothes and accessories. I loved their graphic tees the best, especially the North Dakota ones – definitely check out this little boutique!

Cowboy Lyle’s Candy

This old school candy shop is something out of a magazine! The red and white checkered floors are my favorite. Get some retro and modern candy, but just make sure to get a Medora lollipop to take home with you!

J.A. Ferris General Store

This general store is filled with cute gifts, not just souvenirs (even though there are plenty of those here too!) I especially loved seeing this bad girls book being everything was so much about cowboys out west! Gotta make sure girl power is represented 🙂

Rough Riders Gift Shop

Ok last store I promise! Rough Riders Gift Shop (previously known as Made in USA Mercantile) is another cute gift shop with locally made goodies and the most adorable Medora pillows! I had to resist myself not to buy one.

Medora North Dakota Food & Drinks

Click here for my full guide to Medora restaurants!

I started writing about all the restaurants we tried in Medora and this got WAY to long…so instead I wrote a whole other post about it. Click here for my Guide to Medora restaurants to read more about our experience at Pitchfork Fondue, my FAVORITE Farmhouse Cafe, and lots more wine, coffee, and ice cream! Medora has it all, folks.

 

Happy exploring in Medora North Dakota!