My son is working at The Bully Pulpit Golf Course in Medora, ND for the summer. I am heading up to see him next month, and I have a few questions for anyone who has been out there. We are going to play the course a couple of times (It was voted USA Today's #1 public course in 2025.). Has anyone played there? I know there are a number of history buffs on the board, so I am wondering if anyone is going out to the opening of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, which is also in Medora. When I go out to visit we are going to go down to Mount Rushmore for a day. I know Badlands National Park isn't far from there. Is it worth spending a night down near Mount Rushmore so we have a day to go into Badlands? I was also wondering if it's worth stopping at Deadwood and/or Custer State Park.
Traveling to North Dakota Next Month
- Thread starter 1995PSUGrad
- Start date
Custer State Park is definitely worth a visit. Skip Deadwood - gambling has destroyed the town. Consider climbing Bear Butte or Black Elk Peak if you like hiking.
Custer State Park is a gem. Totally worthy of National Park status, but the state wants to retain it in their system - I don’t blame them.
Take all 3 scenic drives if you can. If you do the Needles Highway, do it very early to beat the massive crowds and incompetent RV drivers. Some of them either don’t trust their skills or have too wide of a vehicle and get stuck in front of or in the tunnels which creates a disaster.
You should see a lot of bison and Pronghorn Antelope on the Wildlife Loop road.
If you’re in Medora, you should really go the the NP there. Again, tons of bison. The North Entrance is better than the south entrance, but that would be out of the way
Take all 3 scenic drives if you can. If you do the Needles Highway, do it very early to beat the massive crowds and incompetent RV drivers. Some of them either don’t trust their skills or have too wide of a vehicle and get stuck in front of or in the tunnels which creates a disaster.
You should see a lot of bison and Pronghorn Antelope on the Wildlife Loop road.
If you’re in Medora, you should really go the the NP there. Again, tons of bison. The North Entrance is better than the south entrance, but that would be out of the way
Medora is a great little town. The Medora Musical is worth catching if you are interested in something to do one evening.
medora.com
Medora Musical
Get your tickets, see showtimes and go behind the scenes at the Medora Musical. Learn more about North Dakota’s favorite family tradition.
medora.com
Yup, as mentioned, hot as hell and don’t camp in the Badlands. I drove to WY to find shade. But great day hiking…
Medora plus yes go, both ends of Teddy Roosevelt National Park.
Wind cave a must. Add Jewel cave. Devils Tower close. If your there skip bike week, bunch of Grey haired grandfather's pretending their hells angels. That was pitiful
Big yes for missile site, make a reservation to go in the silo.
Wind cave a must. Add Jewel cave. Devils Tower close. If your there skip bike week, bunch of Grey haired grandfather's pretending their hells angels. That was pitiful
Big yes for missile site, make a reservation to go in the silo.
I'll assume you are referring to Harney Peak, SD state highpoint. A very nice "castle" at the top with amazing views. Drive through the Pinnacles/Needles
on your way, more great views. From the castle you can see the rear of Mt. Rushmore several miles to the north/northeast.
Last edited:
We lived in Sioux Falls, SD for about a year and did the drive to Rushmore in the winter. Since it was the middle of the winter it was dead and the surrounding town (Keystone) was basically closed. We stayed in Rapid City for the night. Then hit up Badlands on the way home. It was spectacular, but again the winter so not much traffic or active wildlife. I'd say that since you are out there it is a must do activity even if it is a relatively long drive. And of course you'll hear about Wall Drug. It's completely pointless, but something to stop at to break up the drive from the east. I wish we had done Custer, but that wasn't in the plans.
Greater Rapid City area is awesome (wasn't there in summer though). Can't go wrong there
Badlands
Black Hills (hike Black Elk Peak)
Custer State park
Devils Tower (~1-hr drive into Wyoming)
Bear Butte (Sturgis)
North Dakota is one of two states I haven't been to yet... want to try to get there this year sometime. Probably to Teddy Roosevelt National Park (I'm not much of a golfer). Hope to hear what you thought of your visit there.
Badlands
Black Hills (hike Black Elk Peak)
Custer State park
Devils Tower (~1-hr drive into Wyoming)
Bear Butte (Sturgis)
North Dakota is one of two states I haven't been to yet... want to try to get there this year sometime. Probably to Teddy Roosevelt National Park (I'm not much of a golfer). Hope to hear what you thought of your visit there.
Yeah, forgot Devils Tower. It’s fascinating - just dominates your sight line the minute you see it from far away. Was way cooler than I thought it would be
I liked Lead, probably more of the place people are looking for when they go to Deadwood. They turned some of the underground mine tunnels into a big research project. And I think they'll let you hit golf balls into the open pit mine at the historical center.
Wind Cave is an underrated NP, they have a bison herd in addition to the cave stuff. Jewel Cave is a monument and not quite a park. I did see a heard of Bighorns driving west from Jewel Cave last time I was in the area.
Wind Cave is an underrated NP, they have a bison herd in addition to the cave stuff. Jewel Cave is a monument and not quite a park. I did see a heard of Bighorns driving west from Jewel Cave last time I was in the area.
If you are anywhere near Rapid City, South Dakota, you should consider Reptile Gardens. They had a devastating fire there last year that killed some tortoises and alligators, but they replaced them, and they have an impressive quantity and variety of reptiles. When I was last there (admittedly many years ago) they had a snake show where they brought out an expert snake handler dude who had one of those snake handling sticks with a bend at the end, and he proceed to bring out quite a variety of rattlers. He was wearing very thick soled boots, as he said they can strike right through some pretty solidly soled shoes. Walls Drug is also in Rapid City, as some other poster noted. I think it may by now be a flat out tourist trap, but it was interesting when I went through, back before dirt was invented.
Playing golf in North Dakota means you will almost inevitably be playing in windy conditions. I hate playing in strong winds. I'd rather play in the rain. But the price will surely be right for playing there.
Playing golf in North Dakota means you will almost inevitably be playing in windy conditions. I hate playing in strong winds. I'd rather play in the rain. But the price will surely be right for playing there.
“Alex. .. I’ll take Long Winded, Non-Sensical Posts Appearing On a Tom McAndrew Board For $800 Please”
