Extended Weekend Getaways 
By Tim Trudell
Freelance Travel Writer
You may feel like you’re in the Old West during a visit to Medora, North Dakota.
A town of 150 during the offseason, it’s easy for Medora’s population to balloon substantially during the summer as nature enthusiasts visit Theodore Roosevelt National Park and western buffs visit attractions like the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame.
Whether you enjoy hiking, grabbing a seat at a table to enjoy delicious grub or trying your hand at a wine tasting, Medora, in southwestern North Dakota, has something for everyone.
Located in North Dakota’s Badlands, the area’s major attraction is Roosevelt National Park. It’s named in honor of the 26th President of the United States, as Roosevelt lived in the area for a few years following the untimely deaths of his wife and mother. His cabin was relocated to the park’s visitors center.
Covering more than 70,000 acres (110 square miles), Roosevelt National Park’s rugged landscape is divided into two sections – the north and south units. Each offers visitors unique landscapes.
The north unit is located next door to Medora. It’s probably the more popular of the units. With a 26- mile loop, the drive takes visitors deep inside the park, featuring excellent hiking trails and plenty of prairie dog villages to view.
Along the drive, it’s probable to get up-close to herds of buffalo (bison) or wild horses. Ensure you stay a safe distance from the animals, as they may charge to protect their territory.
The south unit features more grassland and a herd of bison roaming the area. The drive into the park provides exceptional nature views.
The Cowboy Hall of Fame celebrates North Dakota’s western folklore. Romanticized through history, today’s cowboy roams the prairie to herd cattle. Or, they live for the thrill of riding buckin’ broncos or bulls at rodeos.
Rodeo stars, ranchers and Native Americans are recognized at the Hall of Fame. The Native American gallery provides a look at life in the Northern Plains for the state’s Indigenous nations.
The Rodeo section shares the story of the “North Dakota Six Pack” – Tom Tescher, Jim Tescher, Dean Armstrong, Joe Chase, Duane Howard and Alvin Nelson. The cowboys were among the best rodeo bronc riders in the nation during the 1950s and ‘60s.
When it comes to dinner and a show, you can leave the evening gown and tuxedo in the closet. Forget Broadway; in Medora, visitors can slop bread in their baked beans and enjoy a steak cooked on a pitchfork, followed by an outdoor musical highlighting the area’s history.
Medora is home to Pitchfork Fondue and the “Medora Musical.” Combined, they give visitors to this small western town a fun night out. Pitchfork Steak Fondue has been cookin’ up fun for several years.
Choice steaks are loaded on pitchforks and submerged in boiling oil for a few minutes to get them to medium heat. Chicken is also available.
Following dinner, head to the Burning Hills Amphitheatre for “Medora Musical.” The show celebrates the history of Medora and North Dakota. Accented by the Badlands’ natural beauty, the stage gives the appearance of being a real town.
“Medora Musical” is more of a variety show than a true musical. Comedy sketches are mixed in-between song and dance numbers. The musical was created by Harold Schafer, who invented Mr. Bubble bath powder.
Medora’s main street is only about two blocks long, but it’s packed with shops and restaurants. Souvenirs are plentiful. An ice cream shop also sells handmade fudge.
Among the souvenir shops, western wear stores, even a taffy shop, Medora Uncork’d gives visitors a respite from tourist-related attractions. Enjoy a bottle of wine as you soak in the ambiance of Medora Uncork’d.
An added bonus is the barbecue blueberry meatball pizza. Blueberry pizza? In North Dakota?
Don’t prejudge it until you taste it. And when you take that first bite of a warm slice, your tastebuds scream out in excitement. It may be the best pizza you’ve ever eaten. And it pairs well with the tasting room’s wines.
Medora has excellent dining options, as well as accommodations, from a quality motel to an upscale hotel.
The challenge in visiting Medora is not to fall in love with the place. Once you visit, you’ll quickly check your calendar to plan a return trip to North Dakota’s gateway to the west.