Medora Musical
4.7(2.2K)google
3.8(48)yelp
PerformanceLive MusicOld WestImmersiveLive DemonstrationOutdoorNight ViewMust-See
Overview
The Medora Musical is a musical revue produced each summer at the open-air Burning Hills Amphitheater near Medora, North Dakota. The musical is a look back at the "Wild West" days of the region and includes references to Theodore Roosevelt, who spent time in western North Dakota, including in the nearby Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The musical premiered at the amphitheater in the summer of 1965 and is the successor to earlier shows about Roosevelt.
Practical Info
Suggested Duration2-3 hours
Best TimeStrictly seasonal, running nightly at 7:30 PM from early June through mid-September. Booking a weekend ticket in July or August and arriving early at 5:30 PM is highly advised; this allows you to feast on the famous Pitchfork Steak Fondue before watching a spectacular badlands sunset over the open-air Burning Hills Amphitheatre.
Getting TherePerched dramatically at the crest of the western bluffs. Driving is required as no public transit serves the mountain amphitheater. Travel west from downtown via Burning Hills Amphitheatre Road for roughly 1.5 miles uphill. The venue features an enormous, multi-tiered complimentary parking field out front.
Travel Tips
- The open-air amphitheater provides zero structural canopy against sudden storms; severe summer thunderstorms or hail will trigger immediate cancellations based on official policies.
- The canyon amphitheater environment causes drastic temperature drops exceeding 25°F after sunset; packing thick fleece blankets or winter jackets is critical for night comfort.
- The solitary mountain access road experiences extreme vehicle gridlock during post-show exits; total lack of overhead streetlights requires dropping driving speeds under 15 MPH.
Reviews
Positive
- The nation's top-rated live outdoor western musical! Staged against a real spectacular Badlands canyon backdrop, the visuals are unmatched.
- Family-friendly show packing high-energy country music, live galloping horses, and epic fireworks—the social crowd energy is electric!
- The amphitheater management is textbook-perfect, featuring outdoor escalators to carry guests down to seats, plus spotless restrooms.
- Highly recommend buying the combo pass including the famous mountain-top Pitchfork Steak Fondue dinner; the overall value is outstanding.
Heads up
- Being a completely open-air outdoor venue, operations depend heavily on the weather; sudden severe summer hail or thunder will cause cancellations.
- During hot July evenings, powerful stage spotlights attract massive swarms of moths and canyon bugs, making deet bug spray mandatory.
- The 2-plus hour show utilizes standard flip-down plastic stadium seats with tight legroom, which leaves your back feeling stiff and cramped.
- Post-show mass evacuation from the bluff causes extreme highway bottlenecks, trapping thousands of cars in slow-moving mountain roads for an hour.