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Sight I-90 Exit 32, Medora

Painted Canyon Overlook

A sight in I-90 Exit 32, Medora, free to visit and worth about 30 minutes. Best time to go: Golden hour.

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Painted Canyon Overlook in I-90 Exit 32, Medora
Photo: K HP · Google

Why go

Wide overlook of layered badlands just off I-90, often with bison below.

It is one of 9 curated places we feature in Medora, alongside 3 activities, 2 places to eat and 2 sights. The closest of our other picks is Buck Hill, 2.2 mi away as the crow flies. At about 30 minutes, it slots neatly between bigger plans.

Type
Sight · Nature
Neighborhood
I-90 Exit 32
Price
Free
Time needed
30 min
Best time
Golden hour

Nearby

The 6 closest curated picks in Medora, measured as straight-line distance.

  1. 1
    Buck Hill

    One of the highest points in the South Unit with a short paved walk to 360-degree views.

    Sight · 2.2 mi straight-line
  2. 2
    South Unit Scenic Loop Drive

    Paved drive through badlands with bison, wild horses and prairie dog towns.

    Activity · 3.5 mi straight-line
  3. 3
    Theodore's Dining Room

    Dining room in the restored Rough Riders Hotel, the best sit-down meal in town.

    Food · 6.9 mi straight-line
  4. 4
    Little Missouri Saloon

    Western saloon in downtown Medora with a casual bar and grill.

    Drinks · 6.9 mi straight-line
  5. 5
    Theodore Roosevelt National Park South Unit Visitor Center

    Exhibits on Roosevelt's ranching years plus his restored Maltese Cross Cabin.

    Sight · 7.0 mi straight-line
  6. 6
    Pitchfork Steak Fondue

    Steaks speared on pitchforks and cooked in oil on a bluff above town.

    Food · 7.8 mi straight-line

On these curated routes

Painted Canyon Overlook is a stop on our Dakotas Badlands & Black Hills route. Open it to see the full day-by-day plan.

More to do in Medora

Painted Canyon Overlook is our only sight pick in Medora; here is what else we recommend there. See the full Medora guide.

When to go

Average daily highs in Medora run from 29°F in January to 89°F in July; May is usually the wettest month. For Painted Canyon Overlook itself, we suggest: Golden hour.

Modelled monthly averages for Medora from NASA POWER, not a forecast. Full Medora weather by month.

Getting there

Map links open a live search for Painted Canyon Overlook, so hours and directions come straight from the map app.

Address
Exit 32, Belfield, ND 58622, USA
Coordinates
46.89546, -103.38161
Destination
Medora, North Dakota

Painted Canyon Overlook: quick answers

How much time do you need at Painted Canyon Overlook?

Plan on about 30 minutes at Painted Canyon Overlook. That is our curated estimate for a typical visit; groups that linger will want more.

When is the best time to visit Painted Canyon Overlook?

Our pick: Golden hour. Insider tip: Walk part of the Painted Canyon Nature Trail for a closer look.

Is Painted Canyon Overlook free?

Yes, we list Painted Canyon Overlook as free to visit. Check locally before you go, since special exhibits, parking or tours can carry a fee.

Where is Painted Canyon Overlook?

Painted Canyon Overlook is at Exit 32, Belfield, ND 58622, USA, in I-90 Exit 32. The Google Maps and Apple Maps links on this page open it for directions.

Which TripsCircle routes include Painted Canyon Overlook?

Painted Canyon Overlook appears on Dakotas Badlands & Black Hills, a curated route you can open on TripsCircle and plan with your group.

Add Painted Canyon Overlook to your crew's plan

Save it to a shared TripsCircle itinerary, settle the timing with a quick poll, and split the costs with everyone going to Medora.

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Also in Medora

Curated recommendation, not live listing data. Confirm hours, prices, bookings and access before you go.