Have questions about our July 4 Dedication and Grand Opening? 

Review our Grand Opening FAQ for important details about ticketing, timing, access, and what to expect on this historic day.

When do tickets go on sale?
Tickets are on sale now. July 4 general admission is sold out, but tickets are available for July 5 and beyond through the rest of 2026.

 

Are tickets required?
Yes, we are expecting high demand on July 4 and during our first two opening weeks.  We highly recommend you purchase your tickets in advance.  There will be no walk-up tickets available on July 4.  Anyone not holding a ticket will not be able to visit the Library on July 4.

 

Are there walk-ups?
On July 4 there will be no walk-up tickets available.  All tickets will go on sale between July 4 and December 31 when we open our public ticketing.  We strongly suggest purchasing your tickets in advance of your visit.  Walk-up tickets will be on a first-come, first-served basis, and, especially in our first several weeks of operating, tickets may be sold out through online reservations.

 

What do Founding Members receive?
Founding members receive priority access to ticketing and unlimited complimentary general admission for two adults and their children throughout 2026.  Members are also eligible for 10% off in our restaurant and shops.

 

Are tickets refundable or transferable?
Tickets are not transferable to other guests.  Members will be required to show proof of their membership ID upon entry.  Tickets can be exchanged for alternate days within 24 hours of your originally scheduled visit.

What time does the Library open?
Tickets are issued with timed entry and include details on when you can visit inside the museum. Guests are welcome to explore our grounds, café, and store throughout the day. For the latest hours, visit our Hours page.

 

When is the dedication ceremony?
The dedication ceremony will be held on the morning of July 4, just before the public opening.  Free advance registration is required; details are on the Grand Opening Tickets page.

 

Will there be a drone show?
Yes, on the evening of July 4, a drone show production of "Eyes on the Stars: Theodore Roosevelt and the American West" will happen 30 minutes after dusk.  Advance registration is required; find details on the Grand Opening Tickets page.

 

Are there timed entry windows?
Yes, all tickets will have an entry time when you can visit inside the exhibits.  Guests are welcome to explore our grounds, cafe, and store throughout the day.

 

How long should I plan to stay?
We recommend budgeting 2-4 hours to take in the exhibits and our outdoor spaces.

 

Will the Medora Musical performance happen?
Yes, we are working closely with the Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation to ensure that Medora's July 4 tradition continues every evening.  Shuttle service and overflow parking lots will be available for guests attending the Musical.  We encourage you to plan extra time and take in the shops and restaurants in Medora prior to the Musical.

 

Can I see the drone show and the Medora Musical?
If you want to see the drone show, we strongly recommend booking your Medora Musical tickets on another evening.

 

Will Medora have the July 4 parade?
We are working with community leaders and partners and hope to ensure the parade can continue.  At this time, no parade plans have been announced.

 

Will the south unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park be open?
Yes, the south unit will be open. We are working closely with the National Park Service staff and community leaders to find ways to expedite visitors into the park.  All National Parks across the country will offer free admission July 3-5, 2026.

Where do I park?
We are expecting a large number of guests for our grand opening on July 4.  There will be limited parking at the Library.  Overflow parking lots are being established at either ends of Medora.  Free shuttles will be made available to all guests.

 

Is there shuttle service?
Yes, we are planning a shuttle route between the Library, Medora Musical, Downtown and the overflow parking lots.  Multiple shuttle busses will be running on a continuous loop.

 

What time should I arrive?
We recommend arriving in Medora early to avoid any traffic or parking delays.  Once in Medora there are many shops, dining and additional activities available downtown as well as in the National Park.  Shuttles will provide easy access throughout all of Medora.  Medora is also highly walkable and most guests park their car once and walk or use shuttle transportation.

 

Is rideshare available?
No, Medora is in a more remote town, taxis and rideshares are not available.  If you are arriving from out of state, we recommend reserving a rental car early.

 

What if parking fills up?
We are working closely with the local community and state to ensure that ample parking is available.  The Library's website, social media, as well as signs on the highway will provide additional guidance on current parking capacities.  

 

Where can I stay?
Hotels, RV and campsites in Medora will be limited over July 2-4.  We encourage guests to also consider accommodations in Dickinson, Glendive, Watford City, and Williston. 

 

What are the closest airports?
The closest airport is Dickinson-Theodore Roosevelt Airport and services daily flights through Denver.  Bismarck Airport is 2-hours away and services multiple cities with many daily flights.  Williston-Basin and Rapid City also offer alternative options.  See full driving and air travel options on our Directions page.

Is the campus ADA accessible?
Yes, the Library's campus is ADA accessible.

 

Are wheelchairs available?
A limited set of wheelchairs will be available at the Library.  We strongly suggest bringing your own assistive devices during our grand opening weekend.

 

Is the event sensory-friendly?
There are portions of the exhibits and the evening drone show that may not be suitable for those with sensory challenges.  We are planning sensory-friendly days in the future to better accommodate guests' needs.

 

Are service animals permitted?

Trained service dogs are permitted in the Library.  Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) are not allowed in the galleries.  For more details, consult our pet policy.

What exhibits will be open?
All of the permanent exhibits will be open to the public at our grand opening.

 

Will the boardwalk and trails be accessible?
Yes, the boardwalk and trails are open to the public; tickets are not required to explore these spaces.

 

Will dining be available?
Yes, our restaurant will be open during the grand opening, and we will be scaling up operations to handle the additional demand.

 

What should I wear? (July heat, walking shoes, etc.)
The July 4 grand opening is not a formal celebration; we welcome guests to dress comfortably.  Prepare for sun and warm weather, as well as comfortable shoes for traversing both inside our building and our hiking trails.

 

Are bags allowed?
Purses and small bags are allowed, backpacks and larger bags will be required to store in lockers.  Due to increased demand over our grand opening, we recommend leaving large bags in your vehicles as lockers may fill up quickly.  All bags are subject to search.

 

Is the Library cashless?
Yes. The Library is a cashless site. All major credit and debit cards are accepted.

How do I become a Founding Member?
Founding Memberships can be purchased at trlibrary.com/membership.

 

What are the benefits?
Founding Members will be given early access to ticketing before the general public.  They also receive unlimited admission for two adults and children in their household through December 2026.  Members also receive 10% off our restaurant and shops.

 

Do members receive priority entry?
Members do not get to skip the line, but they do have access one week early to ticketing before the general public.

What happens in case of severe weather?

We are working closely with local and state authorities to remain on top of weather events and have coordinate safety plans across agencies.  The Library buildings provides shelter in the event of a weather event.  We will share details on our website and social media as well as highway signs if there is an emergency weather event.

 

Is the drone show weather-dependent?

Yes, at a certain windspeed and major in-climate weather the drone show will be postponed.  We will be watching the weather closely and will inform all ticket holder in advance of any potential disruptions.  When reserving your tickets we strongly suggest providing your cell phone so we can send you text updates.

 

Are there security screenings?

Yes, all guests are subject to security screenings and bag checks.  We have a state of the art system that enables visitors to move quickly through security.  Weapons of any kind are not permitted anywhere on the Library campus.

 

How will I get emergency alerts and updates?

In an emergency, call 911 as you normally would.  For real-time updates during the grand opening, follow the Billings County Sheriff's Office and NDResponse (ndresponse.gov / Facebook), and download the Medora ND app (App Store / Google Play).  You can also turn on Wireless Emergency Alerts in your phone settings and register for local alerts through Billings County.

Can I buy tickets for future dates?
Yes, our grand opening weekend will be a busy time for Medora.  For guests wanting to join us during a more leisurely time, tickets will be available through the rest of 2026.  We encourage you to reserve your tickets before making your plans to visit Medora.

 

When is the Library open after the Grand Opening?
The Library is open from July 4 onward.  July 4 is sold out — we welcome guests to visit July 5 and beyond.