Again, finally, after almost 11 years
We’ve been wanting to return to Medora, ND, since we first visited in October 2014. Then we had a day and a half to visit the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt NP. Most of Medora was “closed”. Seriously. Just the Rough Rider Hotel, one tavern (for hamburgers) and a gas station/convenience store were open. Only about 100 people live here in the winter, even today. Half the town is owned by the Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation, which, among other things, hosts Medora, the Musical, celebrating its 60th Season this summer. And that’s why we wanted to return, to see the show and more of Medora, and, of course… revisit what we’ve often called one of our favorite national parks.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park (#54-revisit)
Theodore Roosevelt first visited the Dakota Territory to hunt bison in 1883. Then he was a skinny, young, spectacled dude from New York. He returned to mourn, several months later, after his mother and wife both died on on Valentine’s Day 1884. He could not have imagined how his adventures in this remote and unfamiliar place would forever alter the course of the nation. The rugged landscape and strenuous life that TR experienced here would help make him the man he became and shape a conservation policy that we still benefit from today.
On Monday, we spent the morning driving the South Unit Scenic Drive, stopping at overlooks and taking a few hikes. Wednesday, we stopped by the Painted Canyon Overlook, and then drove to the North Unit, and took its Scenic Drive and a few hikes. Scenery still stunning…some differences from October 2014 to August 2025…the weather was high 80’s vs mid 30’s, and we saw way more animals in 2014, and virtually none this year…time of day and temperature?
Theodore Roosevelt NP-South Unit feral horses 
Theodore Roosevelt NP-South Unit bison 
Theodore Roosevelt NP-South Unit hiking the Coal Vein Trail…Mark by a coal vein 
Theodore Roosevelt NP-South Unit hiking the Coal Vein Trail 
Theodore Roosevelt NP-North Unit – Canon Ball extrusions 
Theodore Roosevelt NP-North Unit – Canon Ball extrusions 
Theodore Roosevelt NP-North Unit – Little Mo Nature Hike…Mark reading the nature hike book to us 
Theodore Roosevelt NP-North Unit – Little Mo Nature Hike…Gail reaching the high point 
Theodore Roosevelt NP-North Unit – Little Mo Nature Hike 
Theodore Roosevelt NP-North Unit – much Bentonitic Clay before us 
Theodore Roosevelt NP-North Unit – end of road, Oxbow Overlook 
Theodore Roosevelt NP-North Unit – Riverbend Overlook & CCC build shelter 
Theodore Roosevelt NP-North Unit – Riverbend Overlook view from CCC build shelter
Gail on the bridge on the Coal Vein Trail in Oct 2014 vs Aug 2025
Medora
Sunday, after our 4 day Mad Dash across Montana, we just spent a little time walking around town, a little shopping at Joe Ferris General Store, and then eating hamburgers from Sheriff Bear Burgers & Ice Cream, while listening to music in the town square.
Monday evening and all day Tuesday were our big Medora / Medora, Inc. days: Pitchfork Steak Fondue Dinner, followed by a Fleetwood Gold Concert. Exploring the ND Cowboy Hall of Fame, a chat with Theodore Roosevelt and tour around town, and a backstage tour of the Burning Hills Ampitheater, before seeing Medora the Musical. The sets of the Burning Hills Amphitheater and Medora the Musical itself were a HOOT! The set was several historic buildings in Medora, and it was on rails, so it could be totally closed as a backdrop, parially open, or all the way open to see the hill behind the stage. In 60 years, the Musical has changed every year, but always has to include some Medora History, God, Country, Horses (too funny!), and of course, Teddy Roosevelt (for us it was his stolen boat and the Rough Riders charge on San Juan Hill.) And the show ended with fireworks!
Steaks on pitchforks, ready to be “fondued” in one of those vats of boiling oil! 
Fleetwood Gold…good seats for the concert 
One of the displays at the ND Cowboy Hall of Fame 
Looking down on the Burning Hills Amphitheater 
On set, during our “behind the scenes tour” of the Burning Hills Amphitheater 
Opening act of Medora the Musical, with the Town Set Backdrop fully “closed” 
Later in Medora the Musical, with the Backdrop fully “open” for the Charge up San Juan HIll…canons blasting and 4 horses & riders to shortly go charging up the hill
Off for Bismark
For more pictures (later), see Adventure Album: X-Country East
2 Comments
Tom Keating · August 28, 2025 at 10:51 am
I want to go just to visit Sheriff Bear Burgers and Ice Cream! I’m sure I would have enjoyed the rest, too, such as meeting T.R. And the Medora play. Looks like a fun time.
Gail hasn’t aged, but it looks like that bridge has over the last eleven years.
Gail · August 28, 2025 at 1:58 pm
Thank you, Tom! Note that the more recent photo is from a distance!