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Welcome to the Rock Roof Inn

Traveling through North Dakota? Hunting in the southwestern part of the state? Heading to Medora this summer?

Check out The Rock Roof Inn, a large yet cozy bed and breakfast situated amid the butte-lined horizons and starkly beautiful prairie of western North Dakota.

The inn is located in Glen Ullin, N.D., a small farming community 60 miles west of Bismarck on Interstate 94. It is run by Pat and Margaret Swift. Margaret, an award-winning landscape and wildlife artist, is an excellent baker/cook who loves to entertain. Pat, a life-long resident of Glen Ullin, is a retired farmer and rancher.

What’s in a name?

The Rock Roof Inn is so named because of the distinctive, orange-red rock, or scoria, on its roof. Scoria is the product of burned-out lignite coal veins and is valued by western North Dakotans as an ideal rock for covering unpaved roads or landscaping.

More importantly, the scoria roof will help you find this sprawling, rustic-style B & B, perched on the western edge of Glen Ullin. Originally a small house that belonged to Pat’s father, Ray Swift, the home's square footage tripled when the couple renovated it in 1983. Inside, there is Margaret’s first-floor art studio (where guests can browse for gifts created by local crafts people), various sunny sitting rooms, a tree-shaded deck, central air conditioning and comfortable, distinctive bedrooms.

Frosty winter nights can be spent in the loft, sipping cocoa and watching the flames dance in the circular fireplace. If you’re checking out the area’s excellent hunting or simply seeking a haven of tranquillity and quiet, The Rock Roof Inn is an ideal destination. Location-wise, the Swifts’ home enjoys close proximity to the state’s premier bird-hunting region near Mott, N.D. If desired, Pat will escort interested hunters to the Swifts’ private farm land, 18 miles south of Glen Ullin, for bird and deer hunting. The Rock Roof Inn also is close to a golf course with grass greens and Lake Tschida, which offers boating, fishing and swimming. It is just an hour’s drive to historic Medora and the North Dakota badlands.

Rooms for every taste

Five bedrooms are available:

• The masculine Huntsman Room offers cable television and twin beds. Hunters, take note: Hunting dogs may stay in the heated garage in their kennels.
• The Victoria Room offers a frillier, Victorian-style look. Amenities include a king-sized bed, cable television and a half bath.
• The Peach-Tree Room offers a comfortable queen-sized bed, cable television and a half bath.
• The Master Suite, ideal for special occasions such as anniversaries and honeymoons, is dominated by gabled south windows, a sitting area, a queen-sized bed, walkout access to the deck, a private bath and a whirlpool.
• The Gallery Room is a comfortable, first-floor bedroom with private bath and cable television. The king-sized bed can be split into twin beds.

A diner’s delight

No B&B is complete without ample hospitality and excellent dining. The Rock Roof Inn has both. Margaret draws on her German-from-Russia roots to create kitchen specialties like whole-wheat, home-baked bread, sour-cream twists, oatmeal/buttermilk muffins, locally made country sausage and her famous caramel rolls. Nobody walks away from Margaret’s table hungry!

Rates:

Vary from $35 to $89. Rates include a continental breakfast. A full breakfast may be provided upon request for an additional charge. We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.

Reservations:

Open year-round. A credit card number or one night's deposit is required to confirm reservations. Deposits must be received within seven days after reservations are made. Balance can be paid at check-in.

Cancellation Policy:

A refund will be made on cancellations received 14 days before the reservation date. If last-minute cancellation is necessary and your room is re-rented, your full deposit will be returned to you.

Check-in/Check-out:

Check-in is between 4 and 7 p.m., unless other arrangements are made. Check-out time is noon.