Exploring the Badlands: A Medora RV Adventure

Visiting Teddy Roosevelt National Park

Savoring the Scenery

Theodore Roosevelt National Park was a complete surprise— in the best way possible. The vibrant landscape, bursting with color and life, was astonishing. Conveniently located right off Interstate 94, with the visitor center nestled in the charming town of Medora, the park is easy to reach yet feels worlds away.

While exploring the South Unit, the Badlands unfolded in dramatic fashion. The drive into the park is wonderfully relaxing, with plenty of pull‑offs for wildlife viewing and trailheads that invite you to step right into the scenery. Deep canyons, layered rock formations, and the winding Little Missouri River create a landscape unlike anywhere else. Sunrise and sunset here are magical — the sky glows and reflects off the river, painting the Badlands in unforgettable hues.

Watching the Wildlife

The wildlife was remarkable, too. Hundreds of bison, including adorable baby “red dogs” roamed the area. Large herds wandered freely, with adult males weighing up to 2,000 pounds. One of the best spots to safely watch them from a vehicle is near Peaceful Valley Ranch inside the park.

Equally entertaining are the prairie dogs, one of the park’s most iconic residents. Their bustling “towns” stretch across the plains, and pausing for a moment will allow visitors to hear their lively chorus of barks, chirps, and chatter. Watching them pop in and out of their burrows is endlessly amusing — a true highlight for visitors of all ages.

Enjoying Medora

Exploring Downtown Medora

Medora may be small, but it packs a punch. Thanks to the Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation, this little Badlands town buzzes with more energy, entertainment, and charm than expected from a dot on the map surrounded by rugged buttes.

Downtown feels like a frontier boardwalk brought to life—restaurants spilling delicious smells into the street, shops stocked with souvenirs and homemade fudge, and families excitedly moving from one activity to the next. One of the biggest highlights is Point to Point Park, with a wonderful family playground where the fun is free and the laughter is loud. There is a giant bounce pillow, mini zip lines, and a splash‑friendly water park for those hot summer North Dakota days. Up for a little extra adventure? The paid attractions deliver— a mini golf course, a lazy river perfect for hot summer afternoons, and even a two‑seater zip line are all available to enjoy.

(The zip line was irresistible. It’s a quick jolt of adrenaline—just enough to get our hearts thumping and giggles going!)

Throughout the day, live music drifts from the downtown pavilion, creating the perfect soundtrack for wandering. Medora makes it almost impossible to be bored; every corner offers something new to explore.

Hitting the Trails on Horseback

As the day cooled down and the shadows stretched long, an ideal activity is the Medora Riding Stables’ evening guided horseback trail rides. Before saddling up, our group met the horses—each with their own personality—and the trail guides paired human and horse thoughtfully. Children were matched with patient, gentle horses.

The experience was so much more than just a fun family outing. Riding through the Badlands at golden hour feels like stepping into a living postcard. The landscape opens up in every direction, and for a moment, one can imagine Teddy Roosevelt himself traveling these same ridges with his “point to point” mantra. The one-hour horse ride’s timing was perfect— the sun dipped low on the return journey, painting the buttes in warm, glowing light.

Even those in the group with zero riding experience felt completely at ease. The horses were steady, well‑trained, and seemed to know the trail by heart. It was peaceful, memorable, and easily one of the most unexpectedly magical moments of the trip.

Experiencing Theodore’s Dining Room and the Medora Musical

Visiting Theodore’s Dining Room

After a quick drive back into Teddy Roosevelt National Park to spy some bison in the morning, the third day started with breakfast at Theodore’s Dining Room. It’s a standout dining experience in Medora. Located inside the Rough Rider’s Hotel, it has a blend of modern culinary flair and the charm of the Old West. With rustic wood furnishing, fireplaces and historical photos lining the walls, it’s a step back in time. (We highly recommend the bison eggs benedict.) The bison is slow‑cooked to tender, pot‑roast perfection and topped with a creamy delicious hollandaise sauce. And, later in the day, bacon wrapped steaks are a can’t-miss dinner dish.

Marveling at the Medora Musical

The third day concluded with a trip to the Medora Musical. It has been running every summer since 1965 and is one of the longest standing musicals in the country with talent sourced from all over the globe along with many homegrown North Dakota stars. This was another Medora experience that blew all expectations out of the water!

There were no costs spared on the 2900-seat Burning Hills Amphitheater. The seating was perfectly spaced to ensure a great view for each seat and the sets are professionally designed. The musical is refreshed every year to keep spectators engaged and the magic of the Badlands alive. The musical this year featured current country and pop songs reimagined to fit the western theme and bring homage to North Dakota, and its unique landscape and people. The choreography was top notch and in between numbers we were treated to performances from groups like the amazing drumline The Frontier Five. They kept the audience engaged with booming percussion and an engaging history of drumlines through the performance.

As if that wasn’t enough, the show ends with a moving patriotic performance where the set parts and riders traverse the mountainside behind the amphitheater to ridge culminating in fireworks and singing of America the Beautiful with the crowd encouraged to join in. It was a beautiful, shared experience.