Roosevelt National Park and Medora ND

The Spirit of the West. By the time I reached Medora, North Dakota, I had spent over a month traveling through much of the Western United States. Each place I visited was a great place. But, the place that really seemed to capture ‘The West’ was Medora, North Dakota.

Medora is a small town in Western North Dakota. It is home to some wonderful attractions like Theodore Roosevelt National Park, The Medora Musical, and some of the nicest people you will meet anywhere.

When you think North Dakota, you might envision Buffalo herds on the Great Plains. You might think of farmers growing potatoes and wheat on some of the most fertile soil anywhere. Or, you might even think of a booming oil industry. North Dakota is all of those things. Their license plate says ‘Discover the Spirit’. And, the spirit of the West is strong here.

Medora is located in a region called the Badlands. It is a hilly area with a unique landscape. The entrance to Roosevelt National Park is convenient to town. Hiking in the park is fantastic. The wildlife was among the best I saw in any of the parks I visited in 2010. There are herds of wild horses, buffalo, prairie dogs, and much more. There were a few surprises, too, like a prickly pear cactus and scoria – a type of rock formed when coal in the ground begins to burn and heats the surrounding rock. The park enables you to get up close to the wildlife. Sometimes, it might be a little too close. I was walking on a trail and as I came around a bend I was within 50 yards of a buffalo bigger than an SUV.

One additional attraction at Roosevelt National Park is the Maltese Cross Ranch house. This has been relocated from the ranch to the park to provide easier access. This is the cabin where Roosevelt stayed during his first stint as a Dakota Rancher. It is small but cozy with a wood stove and a rocking chair. Roosevelt’s desk and a small library case are on display.

For North Dakotans, Roosevelt is an adopted son. He is often quoted as saying that his time in North Dakota is what enabled him to become a great leader and the 26th President of the United States. If you enjoy visiting National Parks, this is one you should really visit. It was thanks to Roosevelt’s vision as a conservationist and outdoorsman that we have many of the parks we have today. While the park may be one of the least visited, it is a great tribute to a great leader. If you want to learn a little more about Theodore Roosevelt, a great place to start is Clay Jenkinson’s description on the Jefferson Hour; show 735. I can also recommend Theodore Roosevelt on Leadership: Executive Lessons from the Bully Pulpit by James. M. Strock and Theodore Rex by Edmund Morris.

In addition to the National Park, Medora has many fun things to do. There are some great shops including a candy store where you can watch taffy being pulled and another that is one of the best fudge stores I have encountered. Many of the buildings are done in an old west theme. The Post Office shows that even everyday buildings don’t have to be boring. If you are traveling with children, the wild west playground is a fantastic place to burn a little energy.

Medora is also home to the Medora Musical. For 45 years, this has been one of the top tourist attractions in the area. It is a fun, Western themed show with singing, dancing, cowboys, and yes, even Roosevelt makes an appearance. At one point, I looked up and saw the Milky Way in the clear, night sky.

You can camp in the National Park. But, like most parks, there are no hookups. That would be fine but, during my visit, temperatures were in the 90’s. So, I stayed at the Red Trail Campground. Sites are level. The campground is an easy walk to anything in town. Rates are very reasonable. And, this was the best wifi internet connection I was able to get in any campground I visited. Wow. On the downside, the facilities are showing the age – the bathrooms and store could really use an update.

Overall, Medora turned out to be a highlight of my 2010 Summer travels.

Have you had a chance to visit? Let me know what your favorite part was by leaving a comment or question.

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