MEDORA, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Summer 2026 brought record crowds, landmark moments and new experiences to Medora, marking a defining chapter in the community’s story.
For the Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation (TRMF), the numbers tell part of the story. The Medora Musical welcomed 125,066 guests this summer, the most in its history. Pitchfork Steak Fondue served 52,275 guests, while Medora Gospel Brunch and The Teddy Roosevelt Show with Brunch welcomed a combined 12,432 guests, with each experience reaching its highest numbers ever. Bully Pulpit Golf Course and TRMF lodging also remain on track to break records, with several weeks still ahead.
But summer 2026 was about more than records. The Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library opened its doors, Medora welcomed the President of the United States and hosted a celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, and thousands gathered at the Burning Hills Amphitheatre for concerts and performances. Across the community, new experiences and developments took shape, adding new reasons for visitors to experience Medora.
At the center of it all were the people who came to Medora. Families returned to traditions, visitors discovered the community for the first time, audiences gathered beneath the stars, and guests explored the Badlands, creating memories that gave meaning to every record set along the way. More than anything, those moments captured what TRMF has always worked to create: positive, life-changing experiences that bring people together and stay with them long after their time in the town.
As the calendar turns toward fall, the story is far from over. Fall entertainment, golf, dining and the changing landscape of the Badlands continue to draw visitors to Medora, offering new reasons to return and new memories to make.