Flying In: General Aviation

The Badlands don't have a runway of their own, but eight public airports sit within about 90 miles of Medora. Here's where to land, who runs each field, what you'll find there, and how to cover the last few miles to the Library.

Closest to Medora

A small high-wing plane sits on a grass airstrip under a wide sky

Beach Airport (20U)

19 nm west · about 30 minutes by road. The nearest public runway to Medora, run by the Golden Valley County Airport Authority.

  • Runway: 12/30, 4,200 × 60 ft asphalt; RNAV (GPS) approaches
  • Fuel: 100LL self-serve around the clock by credit card; Jet A
  • Services: on call, not attended. Phone ahead.
  • Contact: (701) 872-4617

Dickinson Theodore Roosevelt Regional (DIK)

30 nm east · about 35 minutes on I-94. The best choice for jets, run by the Dickinson Airport Authority. United's Denver flights also operate here.

  • Runways: 14/32, 7,301 × 150 ft concrete with an ILS; 7/25, 4,700 × 75 ft asphalt
  • Fuel: 100LL and Jet A, full service
  • FBO: Western Edge Aviation, with hangars, oxygen and a GPU. (701) 483-4221; after hours (701) 264-9966
  • Ground transportation: rental cars at the airport
  • dickinsonairport.com
A vintage Curtiss Jenny biplane and a TBM turboprop on the ramp at Dickinson Theodore Roosevelt Regional Airport

Within an hour's flight

The Dunn County Airport terminal and pilot lounge near Killdeer at sunset, with a hangar beyond

Weydahl Field (9Y1), Killdeer

42 nm northeast. Dunn County Airport Authority. Unattended.

  • Runway: 13/31, 4,200 × 60 ft asphalt; GPS approaches
  • Fuel: 100LL and Jet A, self-serve around the clock
  • Contact: (701) 260-1235

Bowman Regional Airport (BWW)

46 nm south. Bowman County Airport Authority. Attended weekdays.

  • Runway: 13/31, 5,701 × 75 ft concrete; GPS approaches
  • Fuel: 100LL and Jet A, self-serve around the clock
  • FBO: Bottom Line Aviation, for maintenance, hangars and tie-downs. (701) 523-7484
The Bowman Regional Airport sign, with the terminal and hangars on the prairie behind it
A Cessna 172 seen from below on short final, against a pale sky

Baker Municipal Airport (BHK), Montana

46 nm southwest. City of Baker and Fallon County.

  • Runway: 13/31, 5,904 × 75 ft asphalt; GPS approaches
  • Fuel: 100LL and Jet A
  • FBO: Baker Air Service, with fuel, maintenance and a courtesy car. (406) 778-3508

Watford City Municipal Airport (S25)

54 nm north. The gateway to the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Watford City Airport Authority.

  • Runway: 12/30, 6,550 × 75 ft concrete; GPS approaches
  • Fuel: 100LL and Jet A
  • FBO: Watford AeroService. (701) 570-2646
A Cessna Citation business jet parked on the ramp in front of hangars at Watford City Municipal Airport
Passengers walk across an airport ramp toward a parked business jet

Dawson Community Airport (GDV), Glendive, Montana

54 nm west. Dawson County.

  • Runways: 12/30, 5,704 × 100 ft asphalt; 2/20, 3,002 × 60 ft asphalt
  • Fuel: 100LL and Jet A, self-serve
  • Contact: (406) 687-3372

Williston Basin International (XWA)

81 nm north. City of Williston.

  • Runways: 14/32, 7,503 × 150 ft concrete with an ILS; 4/22, 4,502 × 75 ft concrete
  • Fuel: 100LL, Jet A and SAF
  • FBO: Overland Aviation, open 24 hours with a U.S. Customs facility. (701) 875-4334
  • Ground transportation: four rental car companies on the field
A Pilatus PC-12 turboprop on the ramp at Williston Basin International Airport before dawn

Before you go

  • Plan your ground transportation. Medora has no taxi or rideshare service. Reserve a rental car or arrange a pickup before you land.
  • Call ahead. Most of these fields are unattended or on call, so confirm fuel, parking and hangar space with the airport first.
  • Check NOTAMs and the season. Winter weather and western Dakota wind can change plans fast.

Airport details change often. Confirm everything in the Chart Supplement and with the airport before you fly.

Plan the rest of your trip