Outdoors
Medora and the surrounding Badlands offer endless ways to experience the rugged beauty that inspired Theodore Roosevelt’s lifelong conservation legacy. Whether you’re hiking the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library’s Boardwalk, exploring the Little Missouri National Grassland, or spotting wildlife along the river, this is where North Dakota’s wild spirit comes alive.
And after dark, the same Badlands become one of the best places in the country to see the stars. Explore stargazing and the night skies — from the Milky Way and the northern lights to the total eclipse coming to Medora.
The Boardwalk
The Boardwalk connects visitors to the land that shaped Roosevelt’s character. This trail offers interpretive stops highlighting conservation, history, and ecology — inviting guests to walk where TR once rode.
US Forest Service Little Missouri National Grasslands
Surrounding Medora, the Little Missouri National Grassland is the largest grassland in the United States. Its mixed prairie and Badlands terrain provide opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, hunting, and wildlife viewing across more than one million acres of public land.
What to know before you go
Season: Conditions vary widely by season. Spring and fall offer the most comfortable weather; summer can bring heat, storms, and insects, while winter access may be limited due to snow and mud.
Terrain: Expect rugged, uneven ground — typical of the Badlands’ mixed clay and grassland soils. Wear sturdy boots and check weather forecasts before venturing out.
Preparation: Carry plenty of water, sunscreen, layers, and a map or GPS. Cell service is limited across much of the region.
Respect the Land: Follow Leave No Trace principles. Stay on designated trails to protect fragile soils and vegetation.
Access: Learn about access points, maps, and recreation opportunities from the Dakota Prairie Grasslands Visitor Maps and Guides.
Safety & Outdoor Ethics: Before you explore, review the Dakota Prairie Grasslands Safety and Outdoor Ethics page for essential guidance on safe travel, wildlife encounters, and responsible recreation.
Electronic Posting
In North Dakota, landowners can mark private property electronically. Before entering land that’s not clearly signed, check the ND Game and Fish Department’s online posting map.
Cattle Grazing
The Little Missouri National Grassland supports extensive livestock grazing, primarily cattle, managed through a system of permits administered by the U.S. Forest Service in partnership with local grazing associations. This management approach helps maintain the health of the mixed-grass prairie and Badlands ecosystem across more than one million acres of public and private land. As you explore, be mindful that you may encounter grazing livestock. Always leave gates as you find them, drive carefully on open-range roads, and give animals plenty of space
Hunting and Fishing
Hunting opportunities in the surrounding area include deer, pronghorn, upland birds, waterfowl and small game, and there are fishing waters within an easy drive of town. The Library’s free hunting and fishing guide checks whether you can hunt where you stand, shows what is open and today’s legal shooting hours, and lists fishing waters near Medora. Always verify current seasons and regulations with the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.
The Little Missouri River
The river runs through Medora and all three units of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, and May and June usually bring enough water to canoe or kayak it. The Library’s Little Missouri River page shows today’s flow at the Medora gage, the paddling levels the National Park Service recommends and the river T.R. knew.
Hiking
Discover miles of trails that wind through the Little Missouri National Grassland, offering sweeping views of buttes, prairies, and river valleys. Whether you’re exploring for an hour or a day, the Badlands reward every step with unforgettable scenery.
Learn more about trail options from the U.S. Forest Service – Hiking Opportunities
Horseback Riding
Experience the Badlands as Theodore Roosevelt once did — on horseback. Designated riding trails and camps across the Little Missouri National Grassland welcome riders of all levels. Guided rides are also available near Medora.
Plan your ride with the U.S. Forest Service – Horse Riding & Camping
Camping
Much of the grassland is open to free dispersed camping for up to 14 days, but state trust land and private ranches sit between the public parcels. Camping Near Medora shows whether the ground you are on is public, today’s campfire rules and the permits you need.
Sunset views from Wind Canyon, where the Badlands meet the Little Missouri River.
Feral horses graze below the banded cliffs of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, a reminder of how fragile the West’s remaining wild places are. (Wikimedia Commons)
American bison, once nearly exterminated, endure on protected prairie thanks to the wildlife conservation Roosevelt championed (Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library).
Plan the rest of your trip
Things to Do in Medora
Museums, the Medora Musical, trail rides, golf and more, most within a few blocks of the Library.
Hiking
Trails for every pace in Theodore Roosevelt National Park and on the Maah Daah Hey.
Mountain Biking
Ride the Maah Daah Hey and other Badlands trails, with rentals and shuttles in Medora.
Where to Stay
Hotels, cabins and campgrounds in Medora, the national park and nearby Dickinson.