Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota is a tribute to one of the most beloved and famous presidents of the United States who had the opportunity to visit these areas over and over again during his life, falling madly in love with them.
The main attraction are the so called badlands, which are deep grooves caused by erosion from wind or water on the back of the mainly clayey mountain chains. They are particularly spectacular when they take on curious shapes and different colors as in this case. Today we want to explain to you how to visit Theodore Roosevelt National Park, what is there to do and how to get there.
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How to get to Theodore Roosevelt National Park
The park is located in North Dakota, almost on the border with the state of Montana, in the geographical area commonly known as Great American West (aka Real America), and is divided into three distinct areas:
- North Unit: on Highway 85 about 14 miles south of Watford City
- South Unit: accessed from the city of Medora
- Elkhorn Ranch: about halfway between the two units and accessed via a dirt road
All sections of the park are open 24 hours a day every day of the year. The Visitor Centers, on the other hand, have their own opening hours:
- North Unit Visitor Contact Station: during the summer season (June through the end of October) 9:00 am to 4:30 pm, during the winter season (November through the end of May) it is closed.
- South Unit Visitor Center: 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily throughout the year
To access the park you must pay an entrance fee of $30 per car unless you have your America the Beautiful parks card with you.
Things to do in Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Scenic roads, bizarrely shaped mountain ranges and lots of animals in the wild, that’s what awaits you when you visit Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Let’s go over the best things to see for each section in detail.
South Unit
The scenic loop road in this area is the 36-mile Scenic Loop Drive, which starts at and returns to the city of Medora, circumnavigating practically this entire area of the park. If you want to drive it all, it will take you at least one hour and 50 minutes (not counting the various photo breaks you may want to take along the way). There are many viewpoints but these are the main ones that definitely deserve a stop to admire the view:
- Badlands Overlook
- Skyline Vista
- Boicourt Overlook
If you want to stretch your legs here are some trails that can also be recommended for those who have a little time:
- Painted Canyon Nature Trail: this trail can’t be reached by taking the Scenic Loop Drive (unless you’re going to take a more challenging trail) but can be reached from exit 32 of I-94, which is about 7 miles south of Medora. Here you will also find the Painted Canyon Visitor Center, from where you can observe the nature that surrounds you (including bison) without having to walk along any trail. If you feel like walking, the shortest option is to walk a short loop of about 1.2 miles that will take you to take a closer look at the classic rock formations of the area.
- Wind Canyon Trail: this is a very simple loop of a little less than half a mile that will allow you to see not only the rocks shaped by the wind, but also the Little Missouri River flowing calmly downstream.
- Boicourt Overlook Trail: the trail starts from one of the previously mentioned viewpoints and is one of the recommended places from where you can watch the sunset and the lights it creates on the valley. Unlike the previous ones, it’s not a loop (so you’ll have to walk the same trail out and back) but it’s still just over a mile to reach the end of the trail and back.
North Unit
This is the least visited area of the park, but only because of its somewhat more inconvenient location than the southern part, and not because it is any less beautiful. A visit is therefore recommended for those who want to enjoy the area as less crowded.
The scenic route to best appreciate the area is the North Unit Scenic Byway of about 28 miles (round trip) that will take you at least an hour and a quarter as travel time. The main viewpoints touched along the way are the River Bend Overlook and the Oxbow Overlook which is also where the scenic byway ends.
Stopping at the two marked viewpoints may be enough to get an idea of the area, also because if you want to take some short paths, you won’t have many other options, since they are all quite long and demanding, both in terms of time and effort. Perhaps the only exception is the Prairie Dog Trail, a little more than 1.2 miles round trip, which will take you to the so-called Prairie Dog Town, a large prairie where cute animals and the ubiquitous bison abound.
Elkhorn Ranch
This area is a bit lost between the two units, and can only be reached by a dirt road. It is the place where in 1884, Theodore Roosevelt built his ranch. To characterize the solemnity of this place even more is the fact that the whole area has been left as it was, not only without any paved roads but also without any visitor center or tourist facilities. Of all the buildings, only the foundations remain but, despite this, the place is still enchanting.
Visiting this valley along the Little Missouri River, nestled between the mountains that abound in this area, is an experience recommended for those who want to enjoy the silence and tranquility, putting themselves in the shoes of the famous American president.
You can find detailed directions to reach the area either on the park’s official page or by asking the park rangers. Bear in mind that it is recommended to use a 4×4 car or at least a car with a higher than average height from the road.
Where to Stay Near Theodore Roosevelt National Park
As for facilities close to the southern area, I would like to point out two in the town of Medora:
- AmericInn by Wyndham Medora: a beautiful hotel from a well-known large hotel chain. There you will find a large indoor pool to relax in after a long day. The rooms are spacious and well maintained.
- Sacajawea Suite with Deck. A beautiful apartment with two bedrooms and a kitchen, ideal for those who want to spend a few days here and fully enjoy the beauties of the park.
The hotels closest to the northern area are located in Watford City, in particular, I’d like to point out:
- Teddy’s Residential Suites Watford City: a large hotel built in a mix of country and modern style in a convenient area on the outskirts of the city. If you want to relax there is also a spa and bar.
- Little Missouri Inn & Suites Watford City: located next to the previous one, it offers a very similar service and is therefore recommended.
