Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Theodore Roosevelt

National Park

Tucked away in North Dakota—one of the most forlorn states in the contiguous United States—Theodore Roosevelt National Park is a place that inspired a young man who later became the 26^th president of the United States.

Despite being one of the least-visited national parks in the entire country, the park is one of the easiest when it comes to animal sightseeing, because bison, wild horses, and prairie dogs abound in this rugged and vast landscape.

When you visit, make sure to follow this Theodore Roosevelt National Park Adventure Guide to maximize your time here.

Recommended Duration of Visit

1 day (ideal), half a day (doable)

Recommendations: Before Arriving

Download an offline map of the entire Theodore Roosevelt National Park region, check the weather, prepare all your gear, and finalize nearby lodging.

Recommendations: Adventure Gear

Weather-appropriate clothing, sun protection, sunglasses, and comfortable hiking shoes, among others.

Click for some interesting facts about Theodore Roosevelt National Park

“ I never would have been president if it had not been for my experiences in North Dakota.” – Theodore Roosevelt (26^th U.S. president)
The badlands earned their name by being notoriously difficult to travel across.
The small mountains seen in the badlands are actually called buttes —a hill with steep sides formed from erosion. Mountains, on the other hand, form when land is thrust upwards.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park is the only U.S. national park named directly after a single person.

PEAK SEASONS

Summer (June to August) is the peak season.

THEODORE ROOSEVELT NATIONAL PARK’S STORY

Established in 1947 to honor Theodore Roosevelt and his conservation policies.

ATTRACTIONS

Painted Canyon, Scenic Loop Drive, and Prairie Dog Town, among others.

Ace and Theodore Roosevelt National Park Sign

LANDSCAPE

110 miles² (285 kilometers²) of badlands, buttes, prairies, and canyons.

SPECIAL EVENTS

N/A

PLANNING

Theodore Roosevelt National Park is open year-round but is very cold and snowy during the winter.

The visitor centers are closed during the winter months since this national park is so seldom visited. However, there are plenty of signs and maps everywhere to enhance the national park experience.
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There’s lodging in Medora (the closest town). Miles City is farther to the west, and Dickinson is farther to the right.
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THEODORE ROOSEVELT NATIONAL PARK’S STORY

Established in 1947 to honor Theodore Roosevelt and his conservation policies.

PEAK SEASONS

Summer (June to August) is the peak season.

LANDSCAPE

110 miles² (285 kilometers²) of badlands, buttes, prairies, and canyons.

ATTRACTIONS

Painted Canyon, Scenic Loop Drive, and Prairie Dog Town, among others.

PLANNING

Theodore Roosevelt National Park is open year-round but is very cold and snowy during the winter.

There’s lodging in Medora (the closest town). Miles City is farther to the west, and Dickinson is farther to the right.
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SPECIAL EVENTS

N/A

Attractions and Activities

Attractions Overview

Lighting Is Key: The landscape looks the best around noon when the sun is high.
Just a Little Longer: The attractions are special in the sense that you can visit them in a relatively short amount of time, or you can easily spend the whole day.

Attractions Overview

Lighting Is Key: The landscape looks the best around noon when the sun is high.
Just a Little Longer: The attractions are special in the sense that you can visit them in a relatively short amount of time, or you can easily spend the whole day.

Painted Canyon Visitor Center: Situated next to the picturesque Painted Canyon, the Painted Canyon Visitor Center is the primary information hub of the entire region (when it’s open, of course).

Cost: Free to visit. Recommended Duration of Visit: 30 – 60 minutes.

Painted Canyon: With its vast and colorful desert landscape (during the summers) and easily one of the best views in the region, Painted Canyon illustrates the colorful badlands of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

In fact, Painted Canyon was the inspiration for Theodore Roosevelt to pursue a legacy of wilderness conservation.

Nearby, visitors can hike the short Painted Canyon Nature Trail.

Cost: Free to visit. Recommended Duration of Visit: 30 – 60 minutes (depending on whether or not you hike the small nearby trail).

This visitor center is closed most of the year because this park is so seldom visited. Summers would be the best time to visit.

Although most colorful during the summer, a snow-covered canyon is also picturesque during the winter.

Maltese Cross Cabin: Located near Medora, North Dakota, The Maltese Cross Cabin was a favorite retreat of Theodore Roosevelt before he became president.

The South Unit nearby is a smaller visitor center that is open more often than the main Painted Canyon one. It features a bookstore, museum, and theater.

Cost: Free to visit. Recommended Duration of Visit: 10 – 30 minutes.

Scenic Loop Drive: The Scenic Loop Drive weaves through the best parts of the national park. Throughout the drive, the landscape and the life in it constantly change in an awe-inspiring fashion.

Visitors can expect to see horses, pronghorns, bison, and prairie dogs in a landscape comprised of ravines, hills, rock spires, etc.

Cost: Free to visit. Recommended Duration of Visit: 1 – 3 hours.

The South Unit visitor center is the first one you come across if you’re heading to this national park from the west.

You don’t need to take the loop entirely around to see some of the best parts (Prairie Dog Town, Skyline Vista, etc.).

Prairie Dog Town: As one of the most unique inhabitants of a national park, the prairie dogs are a delight to behold (and hear). They’re just so fun to be around, and the fact that there is an entire area full of them makes the town one of the most unique attractions among any national park.

Photos do not do Prarie Dog Town justice. They’re everywhere (literally hundreds) and many of them can be easily seen.

Cost: Free to visit. Recommended Duration of Visit: 10 – 20 minutes.

Skyline Vista: Skyline Vista offers a spectacular view of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Here, the contrast between the canyons, buttes, and rugged badlands can be seen.

Cost: Free to visit. Recommended Duration of Visit: 10 – 20 minutes.

Lenses with long focal lengths are ideal for capturing images of these hilarious animals.

There is a parking lot with a "Skyline Vista" sign along the Scenic Loop Drive.