Where to Stay at Theodore Roosevelt: Hotels, Lodges, and Gateway Towns

By David Sanchez · Data: National Park Service · ← Complete guide Theodore Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt National Park has no hotels inside its boundaries. For the South Unit, Medora, practically next to the park entrance, is the natural base. For the North Unit, Watford City fills that role about 19 miles away. Medora is still our top recommendation, especially for its Old West atmosphere, which extends the park experience long after the gates close.

If you are deciding between staying inside the park at a campground or booking a hotel outside it, our Where to Stay at Theodore Roosevelt guide compares the two options for different types of trips. Here, we focus only on hotels.

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No Lodge Inside the Park: What That Means in Practice

Theodore Roosevelt has no lodge or concession-run hotel, unlike Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, or Glacier. The NPS has not authorized tourist lodging inside the park, a choice that protects the North Dakota Badlands in their wild state.

From a budget standpoint, that is good news. You will not have to absorb the premium charged by official lodges, which often run 30% to 50% above market rates in parks that offer them. Logistically, though, it is a real constraint. Nearby lodging options remain limited, especially around the South Unit. Plan ahead, particularly for a summer visit.

Gateway Towns: Where to Stay

The park has three separate units. The South Unit, the most visited, begins in the town of Medora, accessible from Interstate 94 at exits 24 and 27. The North Unit, considerably wilder, is reached via Highway 85, about 68 miles north of Medora. Elkhorn Ranch Unit, the historic unit where Roosevelt owned one of his ranches, has no dedicated gateway town.

Medora: The Obvious Choice for the South Unit

Medora is a small historic town founded in the late 19th century, during the very period when Theodore Roosevelt stayed in the Badlands. Today, it depends almost entirely on tourism connected to the park. You can walk from Grand Avenue to the South Unit entrance in just a few minutes.

The central property is Rough Riders Hotel, operated by the Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation. It occupies a fully renovated historic building decorated in a style that evokes the Old West of the Roosevelt era. The rooms are comfortable and the location is ideal. In the evening, the Medora Musical, an outdoor show staged in season on the hillside overlooking town, makes a night here even more worthwhile.

Medora also has other lodging options, including motels and seasonal rentals, but the overall supply remains modest, with only a few dozen rooms. In July and August, rooms go fast. Book at least two to three months ahead for a peak-season stay.

One thing to keep in mind is that Medora operates seasonally. Between October and May, some hotels and businesses close. If you are planning an off-season visit, check opening dates before finalizing your reservation.

Dickinson: More Choices, 37 Miles Away

Dickinson is about 37 miles east of Medora along Interstate 94. It is the closest town with a truly broad hotel selection: Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Best Western, Comfort Inn, and several independent motels. Rates are generally lower than in Medora, and availability during peak season is much better.

The tradeoff is straightforward. Allow 40 to 45 minutes of driving in the morning to reach the South Unit entrance. For a two-night stay with one or two full days in the park, that is perfectly reasonable. For a one-night stop with only a half day to visit, Medora is more efficient.

Dickinson also offers more shopping and dining options, which can be useful if you are traveling with kids and want some flexibility outside the park.

Watford City: The Base for the North Unit

Watford City is the closest town to the North Unit entrance, about 19 miles away. It grew rapidly in the 2010s during the Bakken oil boom and now offers a solid hotel selection for a town its size. Several motels and chain hotels welcome travelers passing through. The atmosphere is less touristy than Medora, and prices are often more moderate.

If you plan to visit both units on the same trip, the most efficient approach is to split your stay into two stops: one night in Medora for the South Unit and one night in Watford City for the North Unit. This keeps you from covering 137 miles round-trip from a single base.

How Many Nights Should You Plan?

For the South Unit alone, one night gives you a full day to explore: drive the Scenic Loop Drive, stop at the prairie dog towns, take in views of the Badlands rock formations, and watch bison that regularly cross the road. Two nights give you time to add a hike and see wildlife at better times of day, including sunrise and sunset, when the wild horses are more likely to appear.

The North Unit is worth an extra night if you have the time. It is less crowded, greener, and has a distinctly different character from the South Unit. Our itinerary guide lays out several ways to plan your visit depending on whether you have two days, three days, or more. To include Theodore Roosevelt in a broader road trip, our complete park guide gives you the big picture.

When to Book and How Much to Budget

Peak season (July and August): Medora is lively, with the outdoor Medora Musical and the park at its busiest. Hotels often sell out several weeks ahead. Book as soon as your dates are set, ideally as early as possible.

Shoulder season (May and June, and September): This is the period we especially enjoy. The Badlands vegetation has more subtle colors, wildlife is very active, and available lodging is priced more reasonably. Most Medora properties are open.

Low season (October through April): The park stays open 24 hours a day year-round, but some roads may close because of snow. Several Medora hotels close for the winter. If you are planning a winter visit, check conditions before you leave.

As for entrance fees, admission is $30 per vehicle or $15 per person entering on foot or by bicycle. The park-specific annual pass costs $55. Our Fees & Passes page explains entrance fees and the interagency passes valid across U.S. federal sites. To fine-tune your choice based on weather and seasonal prices, see our When to Visit Theodore Roosevelt guide.

Our Picks for Different Travelers

For an Old West experience: Medora, no question. Rough Riders Hotel is steps from the entrance, the Medora Musical fills the evening, and bison may be just a few miles away the next morning. This is the full Theodore Roosevelt experience.

For keeping costs under control: Choose Dickinson for the South Unit. You give up 40 minutes of driving each morning, but you save on your room and have more restaurant choices. Watford City serves the same purpose for the North Unit.

For families with young kids: Medora makes the logistics easier. Immediate access to the park in the morning saves you from dealing with a long drive before you even enter. Prairie dog towns, which you can easily see from the car within the first few minutes of the Scenic Loop Drive, are usually a hit. Our Theodore Roosevelt Family Guide offers more family-specific advice.

For covering both units: Spend one night in Medora for the South Unit, then one night in Watford City for the North Unit as you head north on Highway 85. It is the smoothest combination and lets you see the park in two very different kinds of light.

Frequently Asked Questions