The Ultimate Guide to a Cool Summer Getaway in the North Dakota Badlands
Looking for a different type of summer getaway this year? Consider the Badlands of North Dakota. Theodore Roosevelt National Park’s North and South Units, plus the Elkhorn Ranch Unit, are certainly something to see. You’re sure to find plenty to do between the parks and nearby towns of Medora, Dickinson and Watford City. Short drives between the three are scenic and relaxing, so buckle up for a memorable off-the-beaten-path trip without the crowds but with all the fun.
In This Article
What are the Badlands?
Badlands are a landscape like none other, formed by thousands of years’ worth of weathering and erosion. The badlands of North Dakota came to be known as Theodore Roosevelt National Park — the only national park to be named for a person — after President Theodore Roosevelt’s nearly lifelong love for the area. The Elkhorn Ranch Unit of the park was the former site of Roosevelt’s “home ranch,” as he called it. In fact, the whole region embraces the Roosevelt legacy.
Make Memories in Medora
This tourist spot is a classic Old West town and a good time you won’t soon forget. Don’t miss a cozy stay at the charming Rough Riders Hotel, wandering the city on foot to shop and chowing down on your 12 oz. pitchfork steak. Another staple is seeing the Medora Musical — a live outdoor showcase of talents ranging from yodeling to performing horses, all against a backdrop of the beautiful badlands. In Medora, you can even take a hike with a Theodore Roosevelt repriser who just might have you believing that you’ve gone back in time. By 2026, you can capture that same feeling by visiting the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, which is taking shape here.
The entrance to the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park is right near Medora as well, with a 36-mile driving loop. During my visit to the area, I noticed that this part of the park seemed to have the most wildlife to see, including buffalo herds, prairie dogs and wild horses.
Medora’s population is just over 100 year-round but swells significantly in the summer months with seasonal workers and tourists. It’s a unique spot you won’t regret checking off your bucket list.
Delve Into Dickinson
Another community in this area that deserves a place on your itinerary is Dickinson, a small town with more to do than you’d expect. It’s a great base to the Badlands, but also has plenty of trails and parks of its own.
If you’re partial to the great indoors, the Badlands Dinosaur Museum is a must-see, with well-curated exhibits and a viewing area to watch paleontologists at work. The Ukrainian Cultural Institute preserves the art of pysanky Easter eggs, and they produce pyrohy using North Dakota products — 11,000+ a week, in fact, to stock partner grocery stores — but you can also buy them at their Dickinson location. For history buffs, the Theodore Roosevelt Center at Dickinson State University offers a comprehensive collection of historical materials related to Theodore Roosevelt, plus a couple of exhibits.
Get your wine fix at Fluffy Fields Vineyard & Winery (sample the Naughty Bunny carrot wine!), try a genuinely diverse beer selection at Phat Fish Brewing — along with a pizza yummy enough to be on your mind for a while — and, finally, check out the North Dakota Coffee Cruise for your road trip passport to cute and unique coffee shops.
Wander Watford City
Watford City is an excellent base for visiting this area. The Roosevelt Inn has everything you need for your stay here and more Roosevelt memorabilia than you knew you needed.
The Long X Visitor Center is a perfect place to discover the numerous cultural, geological, historical and geographical attractions of this area. You can see North Dakota’s largest and most well-preserved petrified tree stump — it’s 17,000 pounds and 60 million years old! The McKenzie County Heritage Park displays local historic buildings like a trapper’s cabin, homestead shack, law office, barbershop and more, all to tell the story of early pioneers who settled in this area of North Dakota.
If the season’s right, cool off at the Wild West Water Park — or warm up in the hot tub! You can enjoy The Rough Rider Aquatic Center for indoor water fun during all four seasons.
Watford City’s surrounding county offers six grassland trails. Note that Theodore Roosevelt National Park is inside The Little Missouri National Grasslands, the most extensive grassland in the country. These trails are available for hiking, camping and horseback riding, and horses can also be ridden into the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
A cute downtown breaks up the outdoor fun. Take a cozy break at Door 204 Coffee and explore local Main Street businesses, a variety of boutiques and more.
The Badlands are waiting for your summer visit, with plenty to do in the surrounding towns. Start planning a trip you’re sure to remember! Find more North Dakota tourism tips here.
