Visit Medora - North Dakota's Favorite Family Resort
Situated at the Theodore Roosevelt National Park, Medora combines the beautiful, rugged outdoors with a family-friendly atmosphere. Medora has been deemed "North Dakota's Famous Family Resort" and provides plenty of entertainment, activities, and outdoor adventures for travelers of all ages. Medora also offers world-class golf courses, unique shops, delightful restaurants, and comfortable lodgings.
History of Medora
Medora was founded in 1883 by a French nobleman named Marquis De Mores. The city was named after his bride, Medora Von Hoffman. When De Mores came to the area, he started several business ventures using funds from his father-in-law, which included a meat-packing plant, a hotel, shops, a brick plant, and his own home, which overlooked the city. Many businessmen flocked to the new town from Little Missouri. Former President Theodore Roosevelt arrived in Medora to hunt buffalo in 1883. He started two cattle ranches near Medora called the Maltese and Elkhorn.
Medora became the seat of Billings County and flourished during the 1920s, 30s, and 40s with several large coal mines. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) had a base camp in Medora from 1934 to 1941. CCC opened the amazing 128-acre Chateau de Mores State Historic Site along with the De Mores City Park in 1941. Restoration of the old western town began in 1962 by an entrepreneur named Harold Schafer, with the addition of many interesting attractions. The town is known for a famous theatrical production about Roosevelt's life called "Old Four Eyes," which was performed each summer through 1965, when the Medora Musical was started.
Things to Do in Medora
The folks in Medora like to keep the city's western appeal while offering all the modern amenities of a popular tour city. Visitors can take buggy rides, visit parks and have a picnic, explore the historic town, go for a swim, or choose from any number of outdoor activities. There are horseback rides through the Badlands with guides, or guests can bring their own horses. Medora Riding Stables, Elkhorn Outfitters, Eagle Ridge Lodge, and Peaceful Valley are among the choices.
The Maah Daah Hey Trail offers biking, hiking, horseback riding, and camping in the scenic, rugged Badlands. The trail starts at Sully Creek State Park and goes to the U.S. Forest Service CCC Campground in McKenzie County.
For kids, mini golf is available at the Badlands Motel, and the Medora City Pool is located west of Medora. The Medora Children's Park is another great place to take the kids. For a picnic, visitors can go to the De Mores Packing Plant Site and Picnic Area. Then they can see "A Cowboy and His Horse" east of the Medora Information building on Third Street, which is presented at 11am, Wednesday through Sunday.
Medora Museums and Heritage Sites
Medora offers several museums for those who want to learn about the history of the area. The ND Cowboy Hall of Fame (http://www.northdakotacowboy.com) remembers cowboys from the past and explores the history of rodeo, ranching, and Native Americans. There are guided tours called "Footsteps into Medora's Past," which start at the Harold Schafer Heritage Center. These include family walking tours. The Harold Schafer Heritage Center also features exhibits celebrating the life of Harold Schafer and a Sheila Schafer Gallery.
At the Chateau de Mores State Historic Site (http://www.nd.gov/hist/chateau/chateau.htm), there are three main areas to tour - the Chateau de Mores, Chimney Park, and De Mores Memorial Park. These all focus on the life and legacy of Marquis de Mores, founder of the city, and his contributions to the city's beginnings.
A great place for the family and outdoor lovers is the Theodore Roosevelt National Park (http://www.nps.gov/thro/), which is rich in history and outdoor beauty. At the park, one can see the Maltese Cross Cabin, which was Roosevelt's first home in the Dakota territory. The park offers a glimpse into Roosevelt's life as a rancher and the scenic Badlands he enjoyed. There is an array of wildlife including elk, bison, white-tailed deer, mule deer, longhorns, bobcats, badgers, porcupines, prairie dogs, golden eagles, and feral horses. The park's flora includes more than 400 plants and shrubs such as Choke cherry, Greasewood, Sandbar willow, Wood's rose, Rocky Mountain juniper, Stiff sunflower, Skeletonweed, Tumbling mustard, Yarrow, Yucca, Wooly plantain, and many others.
The Famous Medora Musical
Visitors to Medora must see the Medora Musical for a taste of the area's pure culture. The Medora Musical is performed May through September at the Burning Hills Amphitheatre, which is located in the heart of the Badlands. The musical provides a blend of country, western, patriotic, and gospel music along with very talented singers and dancers from around the nation. On stage there are live horses and a live band. The show depicts themes from the life of Theodore Roosevelt and entertaining variety acts the whole family will enjoy.
Other attractions include the Painted Canyon Visitor Center, Bully - The Play at Old Town Hall, Billings County Museum, the Medora Doll House Museum, Murder and Mayhem in Medora, and 4-M Review at Old Town Hall.
Local Events in Medora
Medora offers many events and festivals throughout the year, so tourists can always find an event to participate in during their stay. Some popular events include the Cowboy Poetic Gathering (May), Flag Day & Horse Parade (June), Kids Day (every Wednesday), Seniors Day (every Tuesday), Theodore Roosevelt National Park Annual Bird Walk (June), Antique and Classic Car Show (June), Independence Celebration Parade (July 4th), Annual Burkhardt Country Western Concert (July), Champions Ride Rodeo (August), Medora Craft Show (October), and Medora's Cowboy Christmas (December).
Shopping and Dining in Medora
Medora offers numerous shops and stores with a variety of items including apparel, keepsakes, souvenirs, dolls, candles, cookbooks, jewelry, blankets, cowboy hats, toys, and more. Some popular shops are the Medora Doll House Gifts, Joe Ferris General Store, End of the Trail, Medora Musical Welcome Center & Store, Rough Riders Gift Shop, Sharp Shirter, Corner Corral, Dakota Cupboard, Teddy's Bears, Stage Barn, and Bully Pulpit Golf Shop.
For dining, every visitor should try the Pitchfork Steak Fondue at least once. This restaurant offers an amazing western-style meal with rib-eye or NY Strip steak fondue on a pitchfork, baked beans, baked potato, coleslaw, garlic toast, and fresh fruits and veggies. For dessert, there are delightful double chocolate brownies. It's a one-of-a-kind meal set to western melodies by live cast members of the Medora Musical.
Other dining experiences can be enjoyed at the Maltese Burger, the Rough Riders Hotel Dining Room, Badlands Pizza Parlor, Badlands Bake Shop, and the Chuckwagon Buffet.
For lodging, Medora offers a number of motels, hotels, campgrounds, cabins, and suites for everyone's needs and budget. These include the Badlands Motel, the Bunkhouse Motel, the Rough Riders Hotel, the Medora Campground, T.R. Ranch House, and the Wooly Boys Inn.
Medora lures families and couples year after year with its amazing scenery and western appeal. Drop by for a day tour or spend an entire vacation in this lovely city.