As local travel experts, we know what travelers are looking for when it comes to finding the perfect accommodations for their next trip. To compile our lists, we scour the internet to find properties with excellent ratings and reviews, desirable amenities, nearby attractions, and that something special that makes a destination worthy of traveling for.

One of North Dakota’s most famous hotels has quite the history. Not only is its story captivating, there are also some eerie accounts of people’s stays there that have made it even more interesting. Way out in the remote southwest corner of the state, in a tiny town with just over 100 residents but thousands of visitors that go through, is the place in question:

The Rough Riders Hotel is located in the small tourist town of Medora, North Dakota located at the edge of the badlands.
John B/Tripadvisor
This hotel is the most well-known hotel on the west side of North Dakota. Hundreds more people than the town has residents stay here each year. It has great views of the badlands and is close to everything you'd want to see in the area when visiting.
The hotel has quite an extensive history. It was originally built in 1884 under the name The Metropolitan, which was later changed to Rough Riders Hotel in 1905.
Billings County Historical Society/Digital Horizons
The hotel is well over a century old and carries with it the stories of the many guests it has hosted over the decades. It was renamed in honor of President Theodore Roosevelt, who fell in love with the town and the area and also formed the Rough Riders. He gave a speech from the front balcony that is still there today.

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Over the time it has been standing, it has seen many guests and been through multiple restorations.
hannypops/Tripadvisor
According to rumor, before the most recent renovation in 2010, there was a constant guest that didn't want to leave and - apparently - was not even human, but a ghost. This ghost was said to be a young boy and would cause mischief in the top floor of the hotel. This includes running through the halls and laughing and even flushing toilets with no one there. As for if there was ever actually any paranormal activity here or if this boy is still around, that is completely up to speculation.
Parts of the hotel have come from unusual, almost eerie circumstances, such as this fireplace:
ROMAINHK33/Tripadvisor
The fireplace is made of bricks salvaged from North Dakota's first capitol building, which burnt down in 1930. The bricks were saved from the ruins and repurposed for this. They hold a piece of tragic North Dakota history within them.
The grandness and fascinating history of the Rough Riders Hotel is certainly enough to draw anyone in, and if you plan on staying in Medora it is definitely one to consider for the story alone!
we2love2travel1/Tripadvisor

The Rough Riders Hotel is located at 301 3rd Ave., Medora, ND 58645. For more information on the hotel and how to reserve a room, click here.

This isn’t the only place in the Peace Garden State that is supposedly haunted. If you love a good chill, we have an entire Terrifying North Dakota Road Trip that might be right up your alley, ghostly hotels included!

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