Explore the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora, the Badlands Dinosaur Museum, trails, parks and scenic stops near Dickinson. Pick a spot, tap Directions, and go.
Roosevelt's life, interactive history galleries and a free Badlands boardwalk in Medora.
The Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library explores America's 26th president through eight chapters of his life, including his years in the North Dakota Badlands. Narrative galleries and interactive experiences fill the museum, while a one-mile boardwalk and rooftop views connect the visit to the surrounding landscape.
Interactive galleries about Theodore Roosevelt's life and legacy
One-mile boardwalk and rooftop Badlands views
Free grounds, boardwalk and living roof; museum admission is separate
Timed-entry tickets and seasonal visiting hours
Good to know before you go
Getting there: From Dickinson, take I-94 west to Exit 27 for Medora, then follow signs to 3410 Chateau Road.
Open year-round with seasonal hours. Museum admission: adults 13+ $26, ages 3–12 $16, under 3 free (checked October 7, 2026). Reserve timed-entry tickets ahead; walk-ups depend on space. Confirm current hours and prices on the official website.
Checked 2026-10-07. Source. Fees, seasons and conditions change, so confirm before you head out.
The easiest way onto 144 miles of world-class badlands singletrack.
The Maah Daah Hey is 144 miles of non-motorized trail for mountain bikers, hikers and horseback riders, and its core is an IMBA Epic ride. Start here for a fast, flowing 2.5-mile stretch with Little Missouri River views to the Bully Pulpit trailhead. It is the best first taste of the trail.
Sully Creek to Bully Pulpit: 2.5 mi one way, easy to intermediate
About 370 ft of climbing, nothing technical
Bikes, hikers and horses welcome
Dakota Cyclery in Medora rents bikes and runs shuttles
Good to know before you go
Getting there: About 2.25 miles south of Medora on paved East River Road, then 0.5 mile west on gravel into Rough Rider State Park.
State park entry is $7 per vehicle per day. Open year-round, but wet bentonite clay turns to gumbo, so skip it after rain. Bikes are not allowed on the trail inside the national park; the Buffalo Gap Trail goes around it. Watch for ticks and rattlesnakes, and carry plenty of water.
Checked 2026-10-02. Source. Fees, seasons and conditions change, so confirm before you head out.
A popular half-day ride: 8 miles of rolling, scenic badlands singletrack.
"The Deuce" is the 47-mile southern stretch of the Maah Daah Hey, added in 2016. Its first segment climbs and drops along wide ridgelines with big views, and riders describe it as not too hard and very scenic. Follow the turtle-symbol trail posts.
8.2 mi one way, rated intermediate (blue)
About 970 ft of climbing, roughly 1 hr 15 min by bike
Plumley Draw to Coal Creek adds about 5 more miles
Open to bikes, hikers and horses
Good to know before you go
Getting there: Bully Pulpit trailhead off East River Road, about 3 to 4 miles south of Medora near Bully Pulpit Golf Course.
No fee and no water at the trailhead, so bring plenty. Ticks are common in spring and early summer. Stick to the marked route near oil-field roads.
Checked 2026-10-02. Source. Fees, seasons and conditions change, so confirm before you head out.
A flat, paved family ride that starts at an 1880s brick chimney.
Chimney Park is a shady picnic spot under the cottonwoods, marked by the brick chimney left from the Marquis de Mores’ meat-packing plant. The paved path from here is easy enough for kids’ bikes, strollers and adaptive bikes.
About 1.5 to 2 mi paved, the easiest rating
Nearly flat
Historic chimney and plant foundations
Riverside picnic shelter; leashed dogs welcome
Good to know before you go
Getting there: West edge of Medora along the Little Missouri River.
Free, open year-round from sunrise to sunset. Bike rentals are available in downtown Medora.
Checked 2026-10-02. Source. Fees, seasons and conditions change, so confirm before you head out.
About 11.5 miles of lakeside trail, from smooth concrete to wild mowed prairie.
The rec-area side is a 1.9-mile, 10-foot-wide concrete path with fitness stations along the way. The outback side adds about 9.6 miles of mowed-grass trail along the shore, and a new 2.37-mile Camp Nyoda bike loop opened in 2025.
1.9 mi paved loop
About 9.6 mi natural-surface outback trail
2.37 mi Camp Nyoda bike loop
Several trailheads with parking
Good to know before you go
Getting there: Main trailhead (Fitness Loop) at the Patterson Lake Recreation Area entrance, 3753 114th Ave SW. Other trailheads ring the lake.
E-bikes and scooters are allowed under 15 mph. Leash your dog and pack out your trash. The $4 rec-area entry applies inside the recreation area.
Checked 2026-10-02. Source. Fees, seasons and conditions change, so confirm before you head out.
A wooded butte in the middle of town with a loop trail and a rocky summit to climb.
A 0.8-mile loop circles a tree-covered hill, and dirt paths spiral up to a rocky top with boulders kids love to scramble on. It feels like you have left town, and you are five minutes from home.
0.8 mi scenic loop plus side trails
Path spirals to a rocky summit
Playground, grills and restrooms
Rentable picnic shelters
Good to know before you go
Getting there: 566 Fairway St, across from Memorial Park and the Bandshell.
Free. Park closes at 10 pm. Leashed pets only, no glass.
Checked 2026-10-02. Source. Fees, seasons and conditions change, so confirm before you head out.
A quiet 0.8-mile walk along the Heart River in south Dickinson.
This easy path follows the river between Eagles Park and the Gress complex and passes right by the dog park. Make a loop of it, or bring a rod and try the river along the way.
0.8 mi riverside path
Flat and easy
Connects two parks and the dog park
Good to know before you go
Getting there: Runs between Eagles Park (428 2nd Ave SW) and the Gress Softball Complex (455 8th Ave SW).
Leash your dog, stay right and pack out litter. Parks close at 10 pm.
Checked 2026-10-02. Source. Fees, seasons and conditions change, so confirm before you head out.
2,000 acres of public prairie and wooded draws with free camping and quiet trails.
This Bureau of Land Management area is native prairie and wooded draws kept for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding and cross-country skiing. Six free campsites make it an easy overnight close to home.
1.5 mi nature trail plus bike and horse trails
Six free campsites with fire rings and horse corrals
Drinking water mid-April to mid-October
Deer, wild turkeys, grouse and songbirds
Good to know before you go
Getting there: I-94 east to Richardton (Hwy 8), then east on Old Hwy 10 about 1 mile and north 0.5 mile on the county road.
No fee. Non-motorized only. BLM North Dakota Field Office: 701-227-7700.
Checked 2026-10-02. Source. Fees, seasons and conditions change, so confirm before you head out.
Dickinson’s toughest round: 18 holes of woods, big open drives and water carries.
UDisc rates this par-58 course very hard and ranks it among the best in North Dakota. It winds about 2.3 miles through open fairways, tight wooded holes and water hazards, and multiple tees per hole let you pick your challenge.
18 holes, par 58, about 2 hours
Concrete tees, DISCatcher Pro baskets
Multiple tee and basket positions
Dog- and stroller-friendly; seasonal restrooms
Good to know before you go
Getting there: Inside the Patterson Lake Recreation Area, 3753 114th Ave SW. Pay at the visitor booth.
Rec-area entry is $4 a day or $40 for a season pass. Dogs must be leashed.
Checked 2026-10-02. Source. Fees, seasons and conditions change, so confirm before you head out.
A free 9-hole loop under the trees in the heart of town.
A mostly flat, fairly open course that uses the park’s walking paths, with trees adding just enough challenge. It takes about 45 minutes, so it fits after work or before a picnic.
9 holes, par 31, about 1.1 mi
Concrete tees, DISCatcher Pro baskets
Practice basket at hole 1
Moderate difficulty
Good to know before you go
Getting there: Veterans Memorial Park, 801 5th Ave W, across from Optimist Park.
Free. No drinking water on the course. Seasonal restroom at the veterans pavilion.
Checked 2026-10-02. Source. Fees, seasons and conditions change, so confirm before you head out.
Short, flat and friendly: the place to throw your first disc.
Dickinson’s original course is a short layout among the trees by the Heart River, great for kids, first-timers and anyone working on their short game. A round takes about half an hour.
18 short holes, about 0.6 mi
Easy and beginner friendly
Mostly wheelchair accessible
Shade trees and river views
Good to know before you go
Getting there: Jaycee Park, 497 2nd St SE, along the Heart River.
Free. Jaycee Park shelters can’t be rented in 2026 because of construction.
Checked 2026-10-02. Source. Fees, seasons and conditions change, so confirm before you head out.
Dickinson’s lake: about 1,190 acres of water with a beach, boat ramps and campsites.
The reservoir behind Dickinson Dam is the city’s summer playground. You can fish for walleye and northern pike, launch a boat, swim, water-ski or camp, then play the disc golf course or ride the Crooked Crane Trail.
Walleye, northern pike, perch, crappie, bluegill and catfish
Swimming beach and 3 boat ramps
Modern ($30) and primitive ($20) campsites
Picnic shelters, playgrounds, volleyball and horseshoes
Good to know before you go
Getting there: 3753 114th Ave SW. From town, about 3 miles west and 1 mile south on old Hwy 10, or I-94 Exit 59 south.
Vehicle entry is $4 a day or $40 for a season pass; seniors 60+ get in free with a pass. Camping runs May to Oct 1 and must be reserved. A blue-green algae advisory was posted in late August 2026, so check before swimming. ND fishing license required.
Checked 2026-10-02. Source. Fees, seasons and conditions change, so confirm before you head out.
A stocked in-town pond: the easiest place in Dickinson to catch a fish.
ND Game & Fish stocks this 19-acre pond with catchable rainbow trout and channel catfish, and it is full of small bluegill, crappie and perch. A fishing pier makes it perfect for kids or a quick after-work cast.
Stocked trout and catfish
Plenty of bluegill, crappie and perch
Fishing pier
About 19 acres, up to 18 ft deep
Good to know before you go
Getting there: West side of Dickinson, near Turtle Park off W Broadway.
ND fishing license required (16 and up), except on the free fishing weekend in early June.
Checked 2026-10-02. Source. Fees, seasons and conditions change, so confirm before you head out.
Put a kayak in the Heart River right in town, or cast for catfish from the bank.
Eagles Park has a kayak and canoe launch, river fishing, and pickleball and tennis courts. The Heart River holds channel catfish and smallmouth bass, with pike and walleye moving through in spring.
Kayak and canoe launch
Heart River catfish and smallmouth bass
Pickleball and tennis courts, playground
Start of the riverside Eagles–Gress trail
Good to know before you go
Getting there: 428 2nd Ave SW, on the Heart River.
Restrooms open with a shelter reservation. ND fishing license required. Much of the river runs through private land elsewhere, so stick to public access.
Checked 2026-10-02. Source. Fees, seasons and conditions change, so confirm before you head out.
A west-side picnic park with water to fish and room for the family.
Bring a cooler and a rod: Turtle Park has shelters for a cookout, a playground, and fishing water next door at the Dickinson Dike. Heart River Golf Course is just down the road.
Fishing next to the Dickinson Dike
Playground and picnic tables
Two reservable shelters
Horseshoe pits; renovated restroom
Good to know before you go
Getting there: 2352 W Broadway, beside the Dickinson Dike.
Shelters can be booked up to a year ahead at 701-456-2074. Closes at 10 pm.
Checked 2026-10-02. Source. Fees, seasons and conditions change, so confirm before you head out.
A small-town pond with a fishing pier, normally stocked with trout.
Belfield’s pond usually gets rainbow trout every year, plus catfish and perch, and the pier makes it easy for families. Pair it with a round at the Belfield disc golf course.
Rainbow trout (normally stocked yearly)
Catfish, perch and bluegill
Fishing pier and boat ramp
Quick stop off I-94
Good to know before you go
Getting there: Southwest side of Belfield, off I-94 Exit 42, next to the disc golf course.
The dam was drained in 2024 for repairs, so the fishery is rebuilding. Check Game & Fish stocking reports first. ND fishing license required.
Checked 2026-10-02. Source. Fees, seasons and conditions change, so confirm before you head out.
A quiet country pond full of bluegill and largemouth bass.
This walk-in Game & Fish pond south of Gladstone is great for light tackle or a fly rod. Pair it with a stop at the Geese in Flight sculpture at the same exit.
Lots of bluegill and largemouth bass
A few bigger fish
Walk-in shore fishing
Near the Enchanted Highway
Good to know before you go
Getting there: From I-94 Exit 72: 3.5 mi south, 2 mi east and south, then 2.6 mi south on gravel.
No boat ramp. Gravel roads. ND fishing license required.
Checked 2026-10-02. Source. Fees, seasons and conditions change, so confirm before you head out.
A perch pond with a pier, where kids can catch fish after fish.
This small pond near Richardton is loaded with small yellow perch, which makes for a fun, busy outing with young anglers. Schnell Ranch camping is right nearby.
Lots of small yellow perch
Fishing pier
Near Schnell Ranch Recreation Area
Good to know before you go
Getting there: From I-94 Exit 84: 0.75 mi north, 1 mi east, 0.5 mi north, then 0.5 mi east.
No boat ramp. ND fishing license required.
Checked 2026-10-02. Source. Fees, seasons and conditions change, so confirm before you head out.
A remote little dam with big bluegill and a pond all to yourself.
This 6.6-acre Billings County dam has bluegill up to about a pound, and Game & Fish added adult largemouth bass in 2024. It is peaceful, remote ranch country.
Bluegill up to about 1 lb
Largemouth bass stocked in 2024
Shore fishing only
Good to know before you go
Getting there: From Belfield: 2 mi south, 6 mi west, 5.3 mi south, then 0.5 mi northeast on ranch roads.
No ramp, gravel roads and no services. ND fishing license required.
Checked 2026-10-02. Source. Fees, seasons and conditions change, so confirm before you head out.
A 4,000-acre refuge with a fishing pier, nature trails and huge fall bird migrations.
More than 225 bird species have been recorded here, and up to 100,000 waterfowl stop in during fall migration. Lake Ilo Park on the north shore has a fishing pier, picnic area, nature trails and a rebuilt stone tipi ring.
Northern pike, yellow perch and bluegill
Accessible fishing pier; ice fishing in winter
Nature trails and wildlife viewing
Kids Fishing Day on the first Saturday in June
Good to know before you go
Getting there: 1 mile west of Dunn Center on ND Hwy 200. Take ND Hwy 22 north to Killdeer, then go east.
Open 5 am to 10 pm. Boats are idle-speed only, May to Sept, and low water has made the boat ramp unusable lately, so call ahead before bringing a boat. No hunting.
Checked 2026-10-02. Source. Fees, seasons and conditions change, so confirm before you head out.
A riverside base camp for paddlers, riders and Maah Daah Hey bikers.
This park on North Dakota’s only state scenic river (called Sully Creek State Park until 2024) has campsites, horse corrals and a canoe launch. Float a stretch of the Little Missouri past buttes and cottonwoods, or ride straight out of camp onto the Maah Daah Hey.
Canoe and kayak access to the Little Missouri
Modern and primitive campsites, showers
Horse corrals and trails
Direct access to the Maah Daah Hey and the Deuce
Good to know before you go
Getting there: 2.25 miles south of Medora via East River Road, then 0.5 mile west on gravel.
Vehicles are $7 a day. Camping can be reserved at reservendparks.com; the campground was partly open during 2026 renovations, so call 701-623-2024. The river is best for paddling in May and June; check the USGS Medora gauge before you go.
Checked 2026-10-02. Source. Fees, seasons and conditions change, so confirm before you head out.
Twelve tree-lined acres with a bandshell, disc golf and a walking path.
The park honors local veterans and hosts summer concerts at the bandshell. A path winds under mature trees, which are especially pretty in fall, and connects to Optimist Park across the street.
Veterans memorial and bandshell
9-hole disc golf course
Walking and bike path
Tennis and basketball; winter skating rink
Good to know before you go
Getting there: 801 5th Ave W.
Free. Closes at 10 pm. Leashed pets only.
Checked 2026-10-02. Source. Fees, seasons and conditions change, so confirm before you head out.
Dickinson’s all-abilities playground, with an adaptive zip line and sensory wall.
Opened in 2023 as the city’s first fully inclusive playground, Friendship Park has an adaptive zip line, harnessed swings, a sensory wall and a wheelchair-level merry-go-round on a smooth rubber surface. Everybody plays.
Adaptive zip line and harnessed swings
Wheelchair-accessible merry-go-round
Accessible restrooms with adult changing tables
Picnic shelter and paved parking
Good to know before you go
Getting there: 1388 Gum Ave.
Restrooms open 6 am to 9 pm, mid-May through September.
Checked 2026-10-02. Source. Fees, seasons and conditions change, so confirm before you head out.
A new park honoring first responders, with a toddler playground and an arboretum loop.
Heroes Park opened in 2024 with the parks system’s first toddler playground, a big-kid play area and soccer fields. The 1.1-mile Leisure Park Trail loops past an arboretum of native trees and shrubs.
Toddler and big-kid playgrounds on turf
1.1 mi loop trail with arboretum
Soccer fields and picnic shelter
Good to know before you go
Getting there: By the West River Community Center, 2015 Empire Rd.
Free. Closes at 10 pm. The map pin is at the community center; the park is just northwest.
Checked 2026-10-02. Source. Fees, seasons and conditions change, so confirm before you head out.
Fenced off-leash play with separate yards for big and small dogs.
A little room to run and a few new friends to sniff out. Dickinson Dog Park is a dedicated off-leash spot beside the Gress Softball Complex, created through the work of Oreo's Animal Rescue and Dickinson Parks & Recreation. Smaller dogs have their own space, apart from the area for dogs weighing 30 pounds or more. Water, waste stations and a nature area make it a handy stop for a day out with your pet.
Separate spaces for small dogs and dogs weighing 30+ lb
Water and waste stations
Nature area
Good to know before you go
Getting there: 455 8th Ave SW, Dickinson, next to the Gress Softball Complex. Use the street address for directions; the map pin is approximate.
Stay with your dog and clean up after them. Your dog needs up-to-date vaccinations, a license and identification on their collar. Keep your dog leashed outside the fenced play areas, supervise children, and leave if your dog becomes aggressive. The park closes at 10 pm. The official amenities list marks a shelter as future, not currently available.
Checked 2026-10-12. Source. Fees, seasons and conditions change, so confirm before you head out.
Bison, wild horses and prairie dogs along a 36-mile badlands loop drive.
The scenic loop climbs from Medora through a huge prairie dog town and past plateaus where bison and wild horses graze. After years of repairs, the full loop reopened in November 2025. Stop for short walks at Buck Hill, Skyline Vista and the Ridgeline Trail.
36-mile paved loop; plan 2 to 4 hours
Bison, wild horses, prairie dogs, elk and pronghorn
Short walks: Buck Hill, Ridgeline, Coal Vein
Visitor center and Roosevelt’s Maltese Cross Cabin
Good to know before you go
Getting there: South Unit Visitor Center in Medora, I-94 Exit 24 or 27.
Entry is $30 per vehicle for 7 days, or $55 for an annual park pass; cards only, no cash. Open 24 hours year-round, though parts of the loop can close for snow. Give bison plenty of room.
Checked 2026-10-02. Source. Fees, seasons and conditions change, so confirm before you head out.
A 20-minute walk to the best Little Missouri River view in the park. Go at sunset.
This short trail follows the rim of a wind-carved sandstone canyon up to a high point above a sweeping bend in the river. It is one of the most rewarding short walks in North Dakota.
0.4 mi round trip, about 20 minutes
Easy, with one short climb
Wind-sculpted sandstone
Sunset favorite
Good to know before you go
Getting there: Pullout on the South Unit Scenic Loop Drive, north of Peaceful Valley. Enter the park at Medora.
Needs a national park entrance pass. No water at the trailhead. Stay back from crumbly edges.
Checked 2026-10-02. Source. Fees, seasons and conditions change, so confirm before you head out.
Your first big badlands view, right off the interstate, with trails into the canyon.
A wide overlook spreads out across colorful buttes, often with bison grazing below. Two trails drop from the rim, so you can be hiking in the badlands minutes after leaving I-94.
Nature trail: 0.9 mi loop into the canyon
Painted Canyon Trail: 2.1 mi out and back
Bison and wild horses often seen
Seasonal visitor center and restrooms
Good to know before you go
Getting there: I-94 Exit 32, about 7 miles east of Medora.
Part of the national park, so hiking uses the park pass. The visitor area closes in winter. The climb back to the rim is the steepest part.
Checked 2026-10-02. Source. Fees, seasons and conditions change, so confirm before you head out.
See the badlands from the saddle on a guided trail ride.
Guided rides wind through the buttes and canyons outside Medora, the way Theodore Roosevelt saw them in 1883. Rides run from 30 minutes to 2 hours, and no experience is needed.
30-minute to 2-hour guided rides
Ages 7 and up
Helmets provided for kids
Good to know before you go
Getting there: East edge of Medora.
Runs daily late May through September, then weekends into October. Reserve ahead, arrive 30 minutes early, and wear closed-toe shoes and long pants.
Checked 2026-10-02. Source. Fees, seasons and conditions change, so confirm before you head out.
A comfortable grassland campground with showers, a scoria-hill overlook and bike trail access.
The most comfortable Forest Service campground near Medora has flush toilets and seasonal showers. Climb the short, steep Buffalo Gap Overlook Trail, or ride the Buffalo Gap Trail, which takes bikes around the national park to keep the Maah Daah Hey going.
36 paved sites; RVs up to 60 ft
Short, steep overlook trail
Spur trail to the Maah Daah Hey
Pollinator garden
Good to know before you go
Getting there: I-94 Exit 18, about 6 miles west of Medora, off Buffalo Gap Road.
$20 a night, reservable on Recreation.gov. Full services mid-May to mid-October. Bring water and a hat, and watch for rattlesnakes.
Checked 2026-10-02. Source. Fees, seasons and conditions change, so confirm before you head out.
The southern end of the Maah Daah Hey, among ponderosa pines and rare columnar junipers.
This campground in the Little Missouri National Grassland sits in an unusual pine forest with junipers that grow tall and narrow like columns. Walk to the old coal vein the site is named for, or hike the short Juniper Spur Trail.
Columnar juniper stand and Juniper Spur Trail
Old coal vein site
Southern end of the Deuce
8 to 10 spread-out sites
Good to know before you go
Getting there: From Belfield, US 85 south about 10 miles to 47th St SW, then Third Creek Road to Burning Coal Vein Road (gravel).
$10 a night, first come first served. The water pump is currently out of service, so bring your own. Gravel roads.
Checked 2026-10-02. Source. Fees, seasons and conditions change, so confirm before you head out.
Dickinson’s outdoor water park: three slides, a lazy river and a splashy baby pool.
The outdoor pool at the West River Community Center has three water slides, a lazy river, zero-depth entry, a baby pool, and sprays, jets and waterfalls for little ones. On cooler days, the WRCC indoor aquatic center has a pool and slides too.
3 water slides and a lazy river
Water sprays, jets and waterfalls
Zero-depth entry and baby pool
Cheaper twilight pass after 5 pm
Good to know before you go
Getting there: 2004 Fairway St.
2026 season ran May 29 to Aug 16, open daily noon to 7 pm, weather permitting. Day passes: youth $7, adult $9, twilight $5 after 5 pm. Locker rooms and concessions on site.
Checked 2026-10-02. Source. Fees, seasons and conditions change, so confirm before you head out.
A big playground with grills, shelters and summer restrooms, across from Memorial Park.
Optimist Park is one of the city’s larger parks, with a large playground, grills and shelters, and it hosts the summer Play Park program. Pair it with disc golf or the walking path at Memorial Park across the street.
Large playground
Grills and picnic shelters
Summer restrooms
Across from Memorial Park
Good to know before you go
Getting there: 731 6th St W.
Restrooms are open in summer only. Parks close at 10 pm.
Checked 2026-10-02. Source. Fees, seasons and conditions change, so confirm before you head out.
A great playground and two big picnic shelters beside the Biesiot Activities Center.
College Park sits right by the Biesiot Activities Center, making it a perfect family stop before a game, with a great playground and two spacious shelters.
Great playground
Two spacious picnic shelters
Seasonal restrooms
Next to the Biesiot Activities Center
Good to know before you go
Getting there: 1474 2nd St W.
Restrooms are seasonal. Parks close at 10 pm.
Checked 2026-10-02. Source. Fees, seasons and conditions change, so confirm before you head out.
A lakeside playground with a big shelter and restrooms, made for family reunions.
Lions Park is the family picnic spot at Patterson Lake, with a playground, sand volleyball, horseshoes and lake access, and the Crooked Crane Trail starts right there.
Playground on the shore of Patterson Lake
Sand volleyball and horseshoes
Large shelter with electricity
Restrooms
Good to know before you go
Getting there: Patterson Lake Recreation Area, 3753 114th Ave SW.
The large shelter rents for $60 (701-456-2074). Patterson Lake rec-area entry ($4 a day) applies.
Checked 2026-10-02. Source. Fees, seasons and conditions change, so confirm before you head out.
Public 18 holes along the Heart River with Patterson Lake in view.
Open since 1963, the course has a rolling front nine and a wooded back nine with water in play. Four sets of tees suit every skill level, and the Green 19 grill is there for after the round.
18 holes, par 72
Wooded back nine with water
Driving range and putting green
Green 19 restaurant and bar
Good to know before you go
Getting there: 2510 8th St SW, just south of Dickinson Dam.
Open about April to October. Call 701-456-2050 for tee times.
Checked 2026-10-02. Source. Fees, seasons and conditions change, so confirm before you head out.
A nationally ranked course with tee shots from the tops of badlands buttes.
The front nine follows the Little Missouri River, and the back nine climbs into the badlands with elevated tees between the buttes. It is on Golf Digest’s list of America’s 100 Greatest Public courses.
18 holes, par 72
Dramatic back-nine badlands holes
River views
Juniors play free with a paying adult
Good to know before you go
Getting there: 3731 Bible Camp Rd, south of Medora off East River Road.
Open April through October, weather permitting. Book tee times online or call 701-623-4653.
Checked 2026-10-02. Source. Fees, seasons and conditions change, so confirm before you head out.
Giant scrap-metal sculptures along 32 miles of country road, starting with a world record.
Since 1989, Gary Greff has built huge metal sculptures along the road from I-94 to Regent. First up is Geese in Flight, about 110 feet tall and once named the world’s largest scrap-metal sculpture by Guinness. Keep going for the Tin Family, Teddy Rides Again, Grasshoppers in the Field and more.
Geese in Flight, about 110 ft tall
Seven-plus sculptures with pull-offs
Gift shop in Regent
Easy half-day trip
Good to know before you go
Getting there: Starts at I-94 Exit 72 (Gladstone). Geese in Flight is just north of the exit; the road then runs 32 miles south to Regent.
Free. It is 32 miles each way, so plan time for the drive back.
Checked 2026-10-02. Source. Fees, seasons and conditions change, so confirm before you head out.
A French marquis’ 1883 hunting lodge with big views over Medora.
The Marquis de Mores built this 26-room lodge during his short-lived cattle venture. Walk the bluff-top grounds for river-valley views, then tour the house, which still has original family furnishings.
26-room house museum
Bluff-top views over Medora
Interpretive center
Grounds open year-round
Good to know before you go
Getting there: 3426 Chateau Rd, on the bluff above Medora.
The chateau is open daily 9 to 5, May through September. The interpretive center is open Tuesday to Saturday in the off-season. 701-623-4355.
Checked 2026-10-02. Source. Fees, seasons and conditions change, so confirm before you head out.
Dinosaur skulls, fossils and a pioneer village, right in town.
The Badlands Dinosaur Museum fills 13,400 square feet with fossils, minerals and fourteen full-scale dinosaur models, including a complete Triceratops skull found just west of Dickinson and the holotype skull of a tyrannosaur called Daspletosaurus wilsoni. The rest of the campus covers local history: the Joachim Regional Museum, the Pioneer Machinery Hall and Prairie Outpost Park, with a train depot, print shop, general store, one-room school and prairie church.
Complete Triceratops skull from near Dickinson
Fourteen full-scale dinosaur models
Glowing fluorescent minerals kids love
Prairie Outpost Park, a pioneer village outdoors
Gift shop with fossils, minerals and toy dinosaurs
Good to know before you go
Getting there: 188 Museum Dr E, on the east side of Dickinson. Free parking on the 12-acre campus.
Open Monday to Saturday 9 to 5, and Sunday noon to 5 from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Closed on most federal holidays. Admission is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors (65+) and $4 for kids 3 to 16; kids 2 and under are free. Plan on two or three hours. 701-456-6225.
Checked 2026-10-02. Source. Fees, seasons and conditions change, so confirm before you head out.
