Plan Your Visit
Planning a visit to the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library? Here you’ll find everything you need to prepare — from timed entry tickets and hours to accessibility and visitor policies.
Most participants spend about two hours exploring the exhibition and boardwalk. We recommend reserving tickets in advance, particularly during peak seasons.
Hours & Admission
We’re open daily June 1–September 13, from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Explore our seasonal hours.
Ticket Costs
- Adults (13+): $26
- Youth (3–12): $16
- Children (Under 3): Free
Discounts are available for seniors, active duty and military veterans, college students, and groups of 15+.
Opening July 4, 2026
Our grand opening—and first public day—will be July 4, 2026, marking a historic moment for the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library and the nation.
Learn how you can be among the first to experience the Library and take part in this landmark celebration.
Directions
The Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library is located at 3410 Chateau Road, Medora, North Dakota, and Medora is accessible from Interstate 94—if you’re traveling westbound from North Dakota (Bismarck or Dickinson), take Exit 27; if you’re traveling eastbound from Montana, take Exit 24; then follow signs into town and continue toward Chateau Road and the Library, with Dickinson Theodore Roosevelt Regional Airport (DIK) as the closest airport (about 35 miles east of Medora).
Where to Stay
Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or a longer adventure in the Badlands, Medora offers a wide range of lodging options to fit your style and budget. Choose from upscale hotels and historic inns, family-friendly accommodations, and private vacation rentals that offer extra space and flexibility.
For those who want to stay even closer to the landscape that shaped Theodore Roosevelt, the area also features RV parks and scenic campgrounds, allowing you to experience the beauty of the North Dakota Badlands under wide open skies.
The Experience
The Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library is not a traditional museum. It’s an immersive journey into Roosevelt’s life and legacy—and an invitation to consider your own role in the arena.
Your visit moves through Narrative Galleries (the chapters of Roosevelt’s story) and Adventure Galleries (hands-on, interactive experiences that connect his challenges to today). Trailblazer personalizes your journey, and the Badlands landscape—restored prairie and outdoor pathways—adds space for reflection and discovery.
Plan Your Day
Immerse yourself in the museum experience—galleries that trace Theodore Roosevelt’s life, plus interactive moments that connect his story to yours. Then step outside for the one-mile boardwalk and sweeping Badlands views, and don’t miss the roof vistas overlooking the prairie and surrounding landscape.
Look for seasonal programs, guided tours, and special events, including evening programs and speaker events in the auditorium. And when you’re done, keep exploring Medora—from outdoor adventure and local dining to performances and Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
Exhbiits
Our exhibits include permanent galleries that bring Theodore Roosevelt’s life and legacy to life through immersive storytelling and interactive experiences, plus rotating temporary exhibitions that showcase new artifacts, fresh perspectives, and timely themes throughout the year.
Permanent Exhibiton
Our permanent exhibition is an immersive journey through the life of Theodore Roosevelt—tracing his evolution from a determined young boy in New York to a rancher in the Badlands, reformer, President, and global leader. Through dynamic storytelling, authentic artifacts, and interactive experiences, the galleries explore the values that defined him—leadership, conservation, citizenship, and courage—and invite every visitor to consider their own place in the arena.
The Making Of
For the entire month of July, explore The Making Of—a behind-the-scenes look at how the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library came to life. This special exhibition takes you inside the design vision, the construction journey, and the creative process behind the galleries themselves, revealing the ideas, craftsmanship, and collaboration that shaped the Library. Included with your timed entry ticket.
Jessica Wachter
Jessica’s art—equal parts exuberant and introspective—has been shown nationwide, from Palm Springs and Scottsdale to Art Basel Miami Beach and Laguna Beach, with work held by North Dakota institutions including the Plains Art Museum and the State Museum. She also supports women artists through the Jessica Wachter Visual Arts Scholarship at North Dakota State University and serves in leadership roles with the NDSU Foundation.
David Hume Kennerly Photography Exhibition
Opening October 2026
In October 2026, the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library will present a special photography exhibition featuring the work of Pulitzer Prize–winning photographer David Hume Kennerly. Known for capturing defining moments in American political and cultural history, Kennerly’s images offer a powerful lens on leadership, character, and life in the arena. Additional details will be announced soon.
Set in the Badlands landscape that shaped Theodore Roosevelt, the Library invites you outdoors as much as it draws you inside. Take in sweeping prairie views from the roof terrace, then follow the one-mile boardwalk that loops around the building through restored native grasslands, with overlooks and places to pause along the way.
The grounds also connect to regional adventure, including access to the Maah Daah Hey Trail—a 144-mile multi-use route through the North Dakota Badlands for hiking, biking, and horseback riding—plus additional walking and hiking trails around the Library that let you explore the surrounding prairie and rugged terrain.
At the heart of the Library’s culinary experience is Chef Candace’s ranch-to-table cuisine, thoughtfully crafted to nourish both body and soul. Inspired by the flavors of the West and rooted in the surrounding landscape, her menus highlight locally sourced ingredients—celebrating regional ranchers, growers, and producers.
Whether you’re gathering for a relaxed lunch or an evening event, the restaurant offers a warm, welcoming setting where good food, good company, and the spirit of the Badlands come together.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Just minutes from the Library, Theodore Roosevelt National Park preserves the rugged Badlands landscape that helped shape Roosevelt’s conservation ethic and lifelong love of the outdoors. With scenic drives, hiking trails, wildlife viewing, and sweeping prairie vistas, the park offers visitors a powerful opportunity to experience the land that inspired a president.
Historic Town of Medora
Just beyond the Library, the historic town of Medora offers dining, local shops, outdoor adventure, and the beloved Medora Musical set against the Badlands horizon. Whether you’re exploring trails, enjoying live entertainment, or strolling through town, Medora extends your visit into a full Badlands experience.
More Information
Accessibility
The Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library is committed to providing an inclusive, accessible experience so every visitor—regardless of ability—can fully explore, participate, and feel welcome.
Visitor Policies
Review our Visitor Policies before you arrive so you know what to expect and can make the most of your visit.
Shopping
Medora is full of unique shops and boutiques where you can find everything from Western wear to locally made art, specialty foods, and keepsakes.
Outdoor Activities
Medora and the surrounding Badlands offer countless ways to experience the rugged landscape that shaped Theodore Roosevelt’s conservation legacy—from the Library’s Cultural Loop to Little Missouri National Grassland and wildlife along the river.
Mountain Biking
Medora and the surrounding Badlands deliver standout mountain biking, from rugged singletrack and sweeping views to the world-renowned Maah Daah Hey Trail—whether you’re after a quick scenic ride or a multi-day adventure through Theodore Roosevelt’s country.
Becoming a Founding Member isn’t just a membership—it’s your place in the Library’s origin story, with benefits that start immediately and keep paying off through December 31, 2026.
- Permanent recognition as a Founding Member of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library
- A limited-edition commemorative item marking this landmark moment
- Behind-the-scenes opportunities and select member-only experiences
- Early access to admissions ticketing and special programs throughout 2026
And you’ll feel the value every time you visit:
- Free general admission (when the building is open to the public) through December 2026 for you, one additional adult, and children in your household under 13
- 10% off retail and café purchases
Have a question?
Planning your visit? From trip details and seasonal activities to the best places to hike, mountain bike, or spend time with your family, our team is here to help you make the most of your Badlands experience. Whether it’s your first visit or your fifth, we’re ready to point you in the right direction.