Theodore Roosevelt National Park

State: North Dakota. Type: national park spanning 70,446 acres across Billings and McKenzie counties in the western North Dakota badlands. Three units: South Unit (near Medora), North Unit (near Watford City), and the undeveloped Elkhorn Ranch Unit. Officially designated a national park on November 10, 1978, evolving from the Roosevelt Recreation Demonstration Area established in 1935. Received 668,679 recreational visitors in 2022.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park preserves a rugged stretch of the Little Missouri River badlands where a young Theodore Roosevelt ranched and hunted in the 1880s, an experience he later credited with shaping his conservation ethic as president. The park is split into three physically separate units connected by the Maah Daah Hey Trail and the Little Missouri River: the more-visited South Unit near Medora, reached directly off Interstate 94; the North Unit near Watford City; and the undeveloped Elkhorn Ranch Unit, site of Roosevelt's former ranch. Erosion by the Little Missouri River has carved the flat prairie into steep, colorful cliffs, buttes and canyons. Free-ranging bison, wild horses, elk, bighorn sheep, pronghorn and prairie dogs are frequently visible from the park's scenic drives and roughly 100 miles of trails. The badlands setting, combined with the Roosevelt historical connection, makes the park one of North Dakota's signature destinations.

The park sits in southwestern North Dakota's badlands, in Billings and McKenzie counties. The South Unit's visitor center and entrance are in Medora, directly accessible from Interstate 94; the North Unit's visitor center is about 15 minutes south of Watford City. Mailing address for park administration is P.O. Box 7, Medora, ND 58645.

The region has a cold semi-arid climate with wide temperature swings: average winter lows around -15°F and summer highs near 85°F are typical. Weather can change quickly, and summer thunderstorms and winter cold snaps both occur, so travelers should check conditions before visiting.

Late spring through early fall (May-September) offers the most reliable weather and full services, with entrance fees collected directly at entrance stations during this window. Summer is the busiest season; fall brings cooler temperatures and fall foliage in the river bottoms, while winter visits are possible (the park is open year-round) but require checking which visitor center services and fee-payment drop boxes are active.

The park's story begins with Theodore Roosevelt, who first came to the Little Missouri badlands in 1883 to hunt bison and went on to invest in ranching in the area, an experience that deepened his lifelong commitment to conservation. Protection of the badlands landscape began with the Roosevelt Recreation Demonstration Area in 1935; the area was later established as Theodore Roosevelt National Memorial Park and ultimately redesignated as a full national park on November 10, 1978. Roosevelt's own Elkhorn Ranch site is preserved as the park's third, undeveloped unit.

Scenic driving is central to a visit, with paved loop roads through both the South and North Units offering overlooks of the badlands and frequent wildlife sightings. The park has about 100 miles of trails ranging from short paved overlooks to backcountry routes suited to multi-day hiking, including sections of the long-distance Maah Daah Hey Trail. Wildlife watching for bison, wild horses, elk and prairie dogs is a highlight in both units, and stargazing is popular given the park's remote, low-light-pollution location.

The South Unit's Painted Canyon Visitor Center and scenic overlook, just off I-94, is a common first stop even for those not entering the main unit. Within the South Unit, sites include the park's badlands overlooks and prairie dog towns along the loop road. The North Unit is known for its more dramatic, less-visited badlands scenery and bison herds. The Elkhorn Ranch Unit preserves the site of Roosevelt's former ranch, reachable by a longer unpaved access road.

The South Unit entrance and visitor center are in Medora, directly off Interstate 94 in western North Dakota. The North Unit is reached via U.S. Highway 85, about 15 minutes south of Watford City. There is no public transit to the park; a personal or rental vehicle is necessary, and the nearest sizable commercial airports are in Bismarck, ND, or Dickinson, ND, with a longer drive from Minot.

The park is open year-round, 24 hours a day, though not all services operate at all times. Entrance fees are collected directly at entrance stations from roughly May through September; from October through April, fees are handled at visitor centers or via winter drop boxes when centers are closed. Confirm current visitor-center hours on nps.gov/thro before visiting, since winter hours are reduced.

As of research, standard entrance fees (valid 7 days) were $30 per private vehicle, $25 per motorcycle, and $15 per person entering on foot or bicycle (age 16+). A park-specific annual pass was $55, and the America the Beautiful annual pass ($80) and other federal passes (senior, military, access, 4th-grade) are also honored. Confirm current pricing on the official NPS fees page before visiting.

A single day allows time to drive the South Unit loop road and visit a few overlooks; visiting both the South and North Units, which are roughly 70 miles apart by road, is better suited to two days or more, especially if hiking or wildlife-watching is a priority.

Medora, adjacent to the South Unit, is the main lodging base, with a range of hotels, motels and vacation rentals geared toward park visitors and the town's own tourist attractions. Watford City serves a similar role for the North Unit. The park itself operates campgrounds (Cottonwood in the South Unit and Juniper in the North Unit) for those wanting to stay within park boundaries; check nps.gov/thro for current campground details and reservations.

Medora has a concentrated cluster of casual restaurants and Western-themed dining catering to park visitors and Medora Musical audiences, especially busy during the summer tourist season. Watford City offers additional, more limited dining options for North Unit visitors. Options thin out considerably outside the main summer season.

Medora itself, with the Chateau de Mores historic site and Medora Musical, sits right beside the South Unit and is a natural pairing for park visitors. Watford City, near the North Unit, offers additional services. The long-distance Maah Daah Hey Trail links the park's units for hikers and mountain bikers wanting to explore beyond the main road corridors.

There is no airport within the park; the nearest regional airports are in Dickinson and Bismarck, North Dakota, both requiring a drive of an hour or more, with Minot also an option from the north. A personal or rental vehicle is essentially required, as no public transit serves the park.

Bison and other wildlife should be viewed only from a safe distance; approaching them, especially bison, is a real hazard reported at other bison-populated parks. Weather can shift quickly in the badlands, so carry water and check forecasts before hiking, especially in summer heat or winter cold. Cell service is limited in parts of the park, so let someone know your hiking plans. For any emergency, dial 911.

Sturdy footwear for uneven badlands terrain, plenty of drinking water, sun protection, and layered clothing for temperature swings between day and night are all recommended. Binoculars are useful for wildlife viewing from a safe distance, and a paper map or downloaded offline map is worth having given limited cell coverage.

Because the South and North Units are roughly 70 miles apart by road, decide in advance whether your trip allows time for both, or focus on one. Fill up on gas and supplies in Medora or Watford City before heading into the park, since services inside are limited. Early morning and evening are generally the best times for wildlife sightings along the scenic drives.

Dial 911 for any emergency. The park's general visitor information line is 701-623-4466, per its official NPS page.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park (National Park Service) - https://www.nps.gov/thro/index.htm

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.