Lodging

Medora offers a variety of welcoming stays, from historic properties to family-friendly motels, all within easy reach of downtown attractions, the Medora Musical, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, and the future Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library.

Notable options include:

• Rough Riders Hotel – A historic landmark in Medora, originally built in 1884 and beautifully renovated. It combines Old West character with modern amenities and is the town’s signature lodging experience.
• Badlands Motel – A casual, family-friendly choice with western-themed décor right in downtown Medora and close to children's activities.
• Ferris Inn – Medora’s most historic property, opened in 1885 by Joe and Lilly Ferris. Once a place where Theodore Roosevelt stayed, it now offers four king rooms decorated in 1880s finery.
• Elkhorn Quarters – Comfortable, affordable rooms and suites, many with outdoor seating areas. Popular with families and small groups.
• Amble Inn – A cozy property located in the heart of downtown, offering a quieter stay with convenient access to all of Medora.
• AmericInn by Wyndham Medora – A modern, reliable chain hotel offering indoor pool, complimentary breakfast, and easy access to I-94 and downtown attractions.
• Dakota Place Lodge - Fully appointed vacation rentals, including a replica of the Maltese Cross Cabin.  Great for families who need more room.

Tips:

• Summer weekends and special events book up quickly — reservations are strongly encouraged.
• Some properties offer seasonal packages that bundle lodging with tickets to the Medora Musical and other attractions.

For visitors seeking a more private and home-like stay, Medora and the surrounding Badlands offer a variety of cabins and short-term rentals. These are ideal for families, groups, or travelers who want a little extra space and flexibility.

Options include:

• Medora Cabins – Rustic-style cabins located close to town, offering basic comforts with a touch of Western charm.
• Wannagan Creek Cabins - Comfortable cabins tucked in a quiet setting, each featuring a full kitchen, full bathroom, washer and dryer, and sleeping space with one queen bed and two twins.
• Airbnb & VRBO Rentals – A mix of family homes, modern condos, and ranch-style lodges listed by local hosts. Many provide kitchens, outdoor patios, and room for larger groups.
• Guest Houses & Ranch Stays – Unique local properties, from cozy cottages to working ranch experiences, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the Badlands setting.

Tips:

• Vacation rentals often book far in advance during peak summer months—reserve early for the best selection.
• Some cabins are seasonal and may not be available in winter.
• Staying in a rental with a kitchen can be a convenient way to prepare meals during busy weekends and events.

Travelers exploring the Badlands by RV or looking to camp under the stars will find plenty of options in and around Medora. From full-service RV parks with modern hookups to rustic campgrounds inside Theodore Roosevelt National Park, there’s a stay to fit every style of adventure.

In Medora:

• Medora Campground – Located along the Little Missouri River, just a short walk to downtown. Offers full hookups, tent sites, and amenities like showers and laundry.
• Red Trail Campground – A family-run campground near the entrance to town with shaded sites, full hookups, and a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.
• Boots Campground – Located two miles south of Medora, offering full hookup RV sites as well as cabin rentals.
• Rough Rider State Park – One of North Dakota’s designated horse parks, located two miles south of Medora along the Little Missouri River. The park features 66 corrals and amenities tailored to equestrian users, including a shower house, electricity and water hookups, and direct access to the Maah Daah Hey Trail.

In Theodore Roosevelt National Park:

• Cottonwood Campground (South Unit) – Just inside the park near Medora, offering a rustic camping experience with limited amenities. A great base for hiking and wildlife viewing.
• Juniper Campground (North Unit) – A quieter, more remote option about 70 miles north of Medora. No hookups, but beautiful scenery and fewer crowds.
• Roundup Group Horse Camp (South Unit) – The park’s only camping facility where horses are permitted. This private group site is located 12 miles from Medora and is reserved for one group at a time, not shared among multiple parties. Roundup can accommodate up to 20 people and 20 horses, or up to 30 people if camping without horses.
• Backpack Camping – Hikers and horseback riders may camp overnight in the park’s backcountry with a free Backcountry Permit, available at the North or South Unit Visitor Centers. There are no developed backcountry campsites or facilities, offering a true wilderness experience. Tip: A topographic map of the park is highly recommended — bison trails can easily lead you off course.

In Little Missouri National Grasslands:

• Bennett Campground – Located 27 miles south of Watford City, this peaceful, first-come, first-served campground is suitable for tents or RVs. Each site includes a picnic table, fire ring with grill, and access to a vault toilet.
• Buffalo Gap Campground – About six miles west of Medora, this rustic campground offers paved campsites with picnic tables and fire rings, plus easy access to the Buffalo Gap Trail. Amenities include two comfort stations with sinks, flush toilets, three showers, and one vault toilet, along with a group picnic pavilion near the entrance.
• Burning Coal Vein Campground – The southernmost campground and trailhead along the Maah Daah Hey Trail, located 27 miles south of Medora. This primitive site includes shaded gravel parking pads, picnic tables, fire rings, a vault toilet, and a hand pump with potable water.
• CCC Campground – Sixteen miles south of Watford City, this campground offers electrical hookups, picnic tables, fire rings, grills, potable water, and toilets. It serves as a trailhead for both the Maah Daah Hey Trail and the Long X Trail, with tent, RV, and equestrian sites available. A total of 22 campsites are offered - 5 reservable and 17 first-come, first-serve.
• Coal Creek Campground – Located 12 miles south of Medora, this small campground has 10 gravel-pad campsites, each with a fire ring and picnic table. Facilities include two vault toilets and a solar water well providing potable water.
• Elkhorn Campground – Situated 40 miles north of Medora, this remote site offers solitude and basic amenities, including picnic tables, fire rings, and a hand pump for water.
• Magpie Campground – A remote, quiet campground about 50 miles north of Medora. Amenities include picnic tables, fire rings, and a hand pump for water, offering a secluded camping experience.
• Summit Campground - Nineteen miles south of Watford City along highway 85, this campground offers 3 campsites, each with a picnic table and fire ring, plus a vault toilet.
• Wannagan Campground - Located 18 miles north of Medora, this campground 10 large campsites, each with a fire ring and picnic table. Facilities include an accessible vault toilet, hitching rails and a hand pump for potable water. 

Tips:

• RV parks in Medora are popular in the summer—reservations are recommended.
• National Park campgrounds are first-come, first-serve (some sites may be reservable seasonally).
• US Forest Service campgrounds are first-come, first-serve.
• Always check conditions and fire restrictions before camping.

When Medora’s hotels, cabins, and campgrounds are fully booked, Dickinson is the most practical alternative. Just 35 miles east of Medora (about a 35–40 minute drive on I-94), Dickinson is the largest community in southwest North Dakota and offers a full range of lodging, dining, and services.

Hotel Options in Dickinson

• National Chains: Travelers will find familiar names such as Hampton Inn & Suites, Holiday Inn Express, TownePlace Suites by Marriott, Fairfield Inn & Suites, La Quinta Inn & Suites, Ramada by Wyndham, and Comfort Inn.
• Extended Stays & Suites: For longer visits, options like My Place Hotel and Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham provide kitchenettes and extra space.
• Local Favorites: Independent hotels and inns offer more personal service and local character.

Campground Options in Dickinson

• RV Parks & Campgrounds: Visitors can choose from convenient campgrounds with full hookups and amenities, such as Camp on the Heart, North Park Campground, and Patterson Lake Recreational Area

Why Stay in Dickinson?

• Availability: With dozens of hotels, Dickinson has far more rooms than Medora, making it a reliable choice during peak season.
• Amenities: Restaurants, shopping, and full services that Medora, as a small town, cannot always provide.
• Convenience: Direct highway access makes it an easy drive to Medora, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, and the future Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library.