THEODORE ROOSEVELT
NATIONAL PARK
The Park is located in NORTH DAKOTA.
There are three units in the Park that make up the Park’s 110 square miles (285 sq km): the South, North, and Elkhorn units.
There are three units in the Park that make up the Park’s 110 square miles (285 sq km): the South, North, and Elkhorn units.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park is a mix between arid badlands (canyons and rock formations) and mixed-grass prairie that’s loaded with wildlife and vast breathtaking views. Roaming the expanse are elk, longhorn steers, bison, wild horses, mule deer, whitetail deer, prairie dogs, and nearly 200 species of birds including golden eagles and wild turkey.
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All the wild horses in the park have been documented by park officials and given names. Professional photographers are known to wander through the park to capture some of the nation’s most famous wildlife shots.
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The park even has an area called “Prairie Dog Town” where the curious prairie dogs are abundant!
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plenty of magical miles to hike
There are three units in the Park that make up the Park’s 110 square miles (285 sq km): the South, North, and Elkhorn units.
The South unit is the most popular to visit as it is larger, has the Painted Canyon, and is tad less remote than its northern counterpart. The Scenic Loop Drive is a 36-mile drive through the badlands where you get a taste of nature at its finest. Grab your camera and scan the horizon to catch native bison and pronghorns doing their daily activities. Beyond that, the colors of the Painted Canyon make this drive one of the best in the country. Allow two hours for the entire loop. If you’re restless from sitting in the car, hop out and take on the Painted Canyon Trail. It’s a 2.1-mile hike down into the colorful canvas itself. Allow around 45 minutes to an hour to hike this moderately difficult trail. Grab a snack at the vending machine at Painted Canyon Visitor Center beforehand, as no other food is found inside the park. Check the schedule to participate in a guided tour by foot or horseback; or attend one of the ranger-led interactive displays or lectures.
In the North unit drive a 14-mile stretch of road from the visitor center to the end of the park and back. There are a number of pulloffs and turnarounds to give you time to take in the serene ruggedness of the North unit. Make sure to stop at Oxbow and Riverbend overlooks for some of the more awe-inspiring stops. Then you can take a hike on the Caprock Coulee Trail for solitude and freedom. It is an easy-to-moderate hike that will take around 1.5 hours to complete.
The Elkhorn unit is the least popular to visit as it is a bit challenging to get to. The 35-mile-long gravel road will take you to the isolated Elkhorn Ranch that Roosevelt called home during his love affair with the North Dakota badlands. Camp at one of the rustic campgrounds (no hookups, no showers, and vault toilets) in either the North or South units.
The South unit is the most popular to visit as it is larger, has the Painted Canyon, and is tad less remote than its northern counterpart. The Scenic Loop Drive is a 36-mile drive through the badlands where you get a taste of nature at its finest. Grab your camera and scan the horizon to catch native bison and pronghorns doing their daily activities. Beyond that, the colors of the Painted Canyon make this drive one of the best in the country. Allow two hours for the entire loop. If you’re restless from sitting in the car, hop out and take on the Painted Canyon Trail. It’s a 2.1-mile hike down into the colorful canvas itself. Allow around 45 minutes to an hour to hike this moderately difficult trail. Grab a snack at the vending machine at Painted Canyon Visitor Center beforehand, as no other food is found inside the park. Check the schedule to participate in a guided tour by foot or horseback; or attend one of the ranger-led interactive displays or lectures.
In the North unit drive a 14-mile stretch of road from the visitor center to the end of the park and back. There are a number of pulloffs and turnarounds to give you time to take in the serene ruggedness of the North unit. Make sure to stop at Oxbow and Riverbend overlooks for some of the more awe-inspiring stops. Then you can take a hike on the Caprock Coulee Trail for solitude and freedom. It is an easy-to-moderate hike that will take around 1.5 hours to complete.
The Elkhorn unit is the least popular to visit as it is a bit challenging to get to. The 35-mile-long gravel road will take you to the isolated Elkhorn Ranch that Roosevelt called home during his love affair with the North Dakota badlands. Camp at one of the rustic campgrounds (no hookups, no showers, and vault toilets) in either the North or South units.
COST
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Admission to Theodore Roosevelt National Park is $20 per private vehicle, $15 per motorcycle, and $10 for individuals on foot. |
PETS
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Pets are allowed but must remain on the leash. |
OPEN
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The park is open all year. |
FOOD SERVICES
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There are vending machines at the Painted Canyon Visitors Center. |
MORE FACILITIES
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There are two campgrounds available for visitors, one on the North Unit and one on the South Unit. There are no hook-ups and no showers. Raised grills are provided and spigots during the summer for water.
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SCENIC ROAD
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In the North unit drive a 14-mile stretch of road from the visitor center to the end of the park and back. There are a number of pulloffs and turnarounds to give you time to take in the serene ruggedness of the North unit.
The Elkhorn unit is the least popular to visit as it is a bit challenging to get to. The 35-mile-long gravel road will take you to the isolated Elkhorn Ranch that Roosevelt called home during his love affair with the North Dakota badlands. |
TOURS
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Guided tours: Maltese Cross Cabin (Roosevelt's cabin), horseback rides, hikes through the badlands, ranger talks (lectures and interactive displays led by rangers), and campfire Programs.
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when to go
The summer months of June, July, August, and September are the most popular time of year for visitors to travel to the park because the sun is out, days are long, and all the activities are available.
71F - 88F
March - November Most Likely |
29F - 34F
December - February Most Likely |
who may meet you here?
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INSPIRATIONAL
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All of the wild horses in the park have been documented by park officials and given names! You can check them out in a book at the South Unit visitors center. |
who was behind the THEODORE ROOSEVELT NP ?
President. Harry S. Truman
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Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt, the park’s namesake, had a great interest in hunting and ranching in the West. He spent healing time in what’s now the National Park after the untimely death of his mother and wife. His relationship with the area led to his interest in conservation policies during his presidency. On April 25, 1947, President Truman designated the North Dakota badland territory as Theodore Roosevelt National Memorial Park, the first national memorial park in the country. On November 10, 1978, the park expanded its boundaries by some 29,000 acres and changed the name to Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
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SAFETY
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