Est. 1978 | North Dakota | 70,446 acres

Tucked away in the great plains of North Dakota, lies the spark that lit the flame of the National Park System. The land now known as Theodore Roosevelt National Park caught the imagination of visionary president Theodore Roosevelt back in 1883 and paved the way for conservation efforts to this day. Today, visitors drive the scenic roads, hike the erosive badlands, walk among grazing bison, and discover the land’s rich history in this prairie playground.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park spans three isolated units in the countryside of North Dakota. Separated by 68 miles, the North and South Units are similar in size, while the Elkhorn Ranch Unit halfway between is a small plot of land designating the original ranch site of Theodore Roosevelt. While the South Unit is closer to civilization, the North Unit has more dramatic scenery and active wildlife. Connecting all three units, the Maah Daah Hey Trail runs along the Little Missouri River, the erosive force creating the badlands.

The South Unit carries two visitor centers, one campground, and a 48-mile Scenic Loop Drive guiding visitors through the wild grasslands. Keep your eyes out for bison, turkey, feral horses, prairie dogs and much more along the side of the road. The North Unit has one small visitor center, campground and a shorter 14-mile out-and-back road along the badland bluffs overlooking the panoramic Little Missouri River.

Must-see highlights in Theodore Roosevelt

1. River Bend Overlook—Perhaps the premier viewpoint in the park, River Bend Overlook in the North Unit features a picturesque rustic stone shelter perched high atop the badlands offering expansive views of the river bed below. This location is especially photogenic at sunrise as golden light fills the valley.
2. Buckhorn Trail—Also in the North Unit, Buckhorn Trail is the perfect escape into the peaceful grassland. Start at Cannonball Concretions Pullout and stroll however far you want along the 11-mile trail. The path immediately diverges from the noisy road and tucks away behind badland mesas making you think you have the entire park to yourself—just you and the bison.
3. Buck Hill—In the South Unit, a short quarter-mile jaunt grants visitors access to the highest point in the park. Though the path is steep, the endless views in every direction are worth losing breath over.
4. Cannonball Concretions—Cannonball Concretions along the side of Scenic Drive in the North Unit showcases a bizarre artifact of nature. Hop out the car to inspect these massive, perfectly-round, cannonball-like, rock formations
5. Oxbow Overlook and Sperati Point—At the far end of the North Unit’s Scenic Drive, Oxbow Overlook provides excellent views of the Little Missouri River as it doubles back on itself in a tight s-curve. From this parking lot, hike 1 mile to Sperati Point for a new angle of the river bend. The sights are especially gorgeous in the fall when the cottonwoods along the riverbanks are a striking yellow.

Best time to visit Theodore Roosevelt

With harsh winters and hot summers, spring and autumn remain the best times to visit Theodore Roosevelt. Either season is ideal with moderate temperatures and active wildlife. The biggest differentiating factor is your preference for wildflowers or fall foliage.

• Spring (April to June): Spring is a great time to visit as the weather is mild, and the park starts to come alive with wildflowers blooming, grass greening and animals like bison, elk, and pronghorn becoming more active. If you are lucky, you may witness a new generation of animals born at this time of year. The temperatures are comfortable, typically ranging from 50°F to 70°F during the day.
• Summer (July to September): Summer heat (80°F to 90°F) brings with it the biggest potential for thunderstorms. Though the storms are short they can drop a lot of precipitation making for muddy trails and deep creeks. Summer is also the peak tourist season, when the park has the most amenities and services available for people to enjoy the long daylight hours.
• Fall (October to November): Fall is another fantastic time to visit, with temperatures echoing springtime again (around 50°F to 70°F). However, with fall colors in the park—especially the golden hues of the cottonwoods—starting to pop, this just might be the park’s most beautiful time to visit. Be mindful of wildlife as it enjoys smaller crowds preparing for winter. Though elk are rare to spot in the South Unit and almost non-existent in the North Unit, the elk rut in September and October can turn aggressive if visitors stray too close to males.
• Winter (December to March): Winter in North Dakota can be brutal. With constant wind, sub-zero temperatures and deep snow drifts, the roads and trails can become impassible, temporarily shutting down during blizzards. However if timed well, conditions can change quickly leading to a spectacular winter visit under the prairie sun. With almost no crowds, you’ll have a quieter experience and may run into more wildlife.

How long should I visit Theodore Roosevelt?

Theodore Roosevelt can be best explored in 2–3 days. Though the park is small, the units are distanced nearly 70 miles apart, meaning driving back and forth between the two is highly inefficient. We recommend spending at least one day in the North Unit and one day in the South Unit. If the significance of history is important to you, the remote Elkhorn Unit may be worth visiting on a third day. Otherwise, there is plenty to check out in the other two districts on an additional third day.

Getting to Theodore Roosevelt

300 miles away, Badlands National Park is the closest park, making Theodore Roosevelt one of the most remote parks in the system. The more popular South Unit is located directly off Interstate 94 in western North Dakota. The North Unit lies approximately an hour and 10 minutes north on U.S. Highway 85. To access the Elkhorn Unit, take U.S. Highway 16 to Black Tail Road and Bell Lake Road. These unpaved roads will lead directly to the Elkhorn Unit. Be advised, the last three miles of the route can require a high-clearance, 4WD vehicle in winter and rain storms.

Though 135 miles away, Bismarck Municipal Airport (BIS) is the closest commercial airport access to Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP) in South Dakota is 250 miles away offering slightly cheaper flights. And Billings-Logan International Airport (BIL) is furthest at 280 miles but offers convenient flights at reasonable prices. Whichever airport you choose, you will still need to rent a car and drive a considerable distance, meaning any one of these airports could be best for your itinerary.

Where to stay in Theodore Roosevelt

Lodging—There are no lodging or dining options in any of the units, but nearby towns of Medora (south) and Watford City (north) offer hotel-style accommodations.

Campgrounds—The park hosts 2 campgrounds: Cottonwood Campground in the South Unit and Juniper Campground in the North Unit. A portion of Cottonwood Campground campsites are reservable only during the summer months on Recreation.gov.

• Cottonwood Campground—South Unit, 76 sites (RV and tent), open year-round
• Juniper Campground—North Unit, 50 sites (RV and tent), open year-round

When should I book?

Theodore Roosevelt consistently welcomes 750,000 annual visitors to the park, which is a relatively small amount for the National Park System, meaning competition for lodging is much less stressful compared to other big-name parks. Booking as far in advance as possible is always recommended, but last minute-trips are fairly practical and somewhat encouraged at Theodore Roosevelt. Summer weekends and holidays remain the busiest times, but if you are flexible with your schedule or book at least 2 months out, you should be successful in finding accommodations.

When it comes to camping, Cottonwood Campground runs on a first come, first served basis all year long, but between May and September, odd-numbered sites are reservable between 6 months and 5 days prior to arrival, while all even-numbered sites remain first come, first served. Juniper Campground is designated first come, first served all year long. For best chances at snagging a campsite, arrive at noon when checkout time rolls around. With plenty of sites, it is rare to not find an open spot.

How much should I budget?

A frugal 3-day trip to Theodore Roosevelt booked 2 months in advance can cost under $500 depending on your required needs. Here is a range of what to expect:

Roundtrip Airfare to Rapid City	$300–$400
Car Rental	$40–$75/day (not including taxes/fees)
Campsite	$10–20/night (not including taxes/fees)
Meals	$10–$20/meal
Entrance Fee	$30/vehicle

Packing list for Theodore Roosevelt

Each park requires different gear for its unique characteristics. For Theodore Roosevelt National Park, we wouldn’t want to be caught without hiking shoes, binoculars, sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, layered clothing, raincoat, and a water bottle.

Want to learn more? Check out our detailed trip report for a peek into our trip to Theodore Roosevelt.

For more detailed information on Theodore Roosevelt National Park, visit the official park website.