North Dakota’s rugged badlands, wide-open prairies, and roaming bison make this often-overlooked national park one of the most surprising and rewarding places to explore in the American West.
Bison cross the Little Missouri River in Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota. The park protects bison, deer, and feral horses among other animals. North Dakota’s rugged badlands, wide-open prairies, and roaming bison make this often-overlooked national park one of the most surprising and rewarding places to explore in the American West.
features more than 70,000 acres of North Dakota Badlands, where open prairies, rolling grasslands, rugged sandstone formations, and bands of colorful clay stretch across the landscape. It’s a place that feels wide-open and quiet, shaped by wind, water, and time., who first came to North Dakota as a young rancher and formed a deep connection to the land. After his death, discussions began about how best to honor his legacy, including the idea of setting aside land in the Badlands. Over the years, the land has had several identities, but today, the park stands as both a tribute to Roosevelt’s conservation legacy and a place where visitors can slow down, explore the outdoors, and experience the wildlife, plants, and terrain that inspired Roosevelt himself. The park is divided into three units: the South, the North, and the Elkhorn Ranch. The South Unit features dramatic buttes, winding canyons, and colorful hillsides, along with the park’s most popular drive. The 36-mile is shorter: 14 miles one-way or 28 miles out-and-back, taking about an hour and 15 minutes, but still delivers plenty of gorgeous scenery. TheThe park is open to visitors year-round, though the most popular time to visit is between spring and fall. Summer draws the biggest crowds, thanks to its warm weather and bright, sunny days. However, spring and early summer are ideal for birdwatching, when activity is at its highest. Fall brings brisk weather and stunning foliage, making it a perfect time for hiking or camping. On the other hand, winter brings a quieter kind of beauty. Snowfall transforms the landscape into a peaceful setting and creates opportunities for skiing within the park. The snow can also make wildlife stand out more clearly against the scenery, according to Mike Jensen, outdoor promotions manager at North Dakota Tourism.offers one of the park’s most stunning overlooks. From here, the Badlands stretch out in every direction, revealing layers of colorful canyons, rugged rock formations, and wide-open views that seem to go on forever.. This is where the Little Missouri River makes a dramatic U-shaped bend through the landscape, called an Oxbox, wrapping around a pocket of trees with distant buttes in the background. It’s one of the most scenic spots in the park.. This short half-mile loop offers great views of the Little Missouri River, blending rugged, colorful rock formations with plenty of greenery. It’s also a perfect spot to catch the sunset, making it a memorable way to end your time in the park.is one of the park’s most popular hikes. This moderate loop is just over 4 miles long and gains about 560 feet of elevation, making it a solid option for hikers looking for a bit of a challenge. Along the way, visitors will get varied views of the Little Missouri River and a mix of rock formations and greenery. The trail is also well known for wildlife sightings, so keep an eye out for bison, bighorn sheep, and even rattlesnakes on hot days.runs through all three units of Theodore Roosevelt National Park and stretches more than 140 miles . It’s an ideal backpacking route for those looking to spend several days in the park and experience a wide variety of terrain. The trail is best tackled between April and October.Wildlife is one of Theodore Roosevelt National Park’s biggest draws, and according to Mike Jensen, “Wildlife viewing opportunities vary by season and time of day, but both the South and North Units offer excellent chances to observe bison, prairie dogs, wild horses, birds, and other species.” Jensen noted that the best wildlife viewing happens in the early morning and late afternoon, when cooler temperatures bring animals out and increase activity across the park. Jensen also says, “The Scenic Loop Drive is the premier wildlife-viewing route in the South Unit. Bison, prairie dogs, feral horses, elk, and pronghorn are frequently visible along or directly beside the roadway. The eastern portion of the loop, where expansive grasslands meet the badlands, is particularly productive for spotting wild horses and large bison herds.” For those looking for specific areas to spot prairie dogs, Jensen says, “The loop passes several large prairie dog colonies, offering easy viewing of these highly social animals and their predators, such as coyotes and badgers. Prairie dogs are especially active in summer.” While the South Unit’s Scenic Loop Drive is often the more popular option and offers a wider variety of wildlife sightings, according to Jensen, the North Unit’s out-and-back scenic drive provides reliable opportunities to see bison and bighorn sheep, as well as raptors such as golden eagles, making either drive an excellent choice for wildlife viewing in the park.For first-time visitors, Jensen recommends approaching wildlife viewing with patience and flexibility. Giving animals plenty of space is essential, as bison and wild horses can appear calm but are unpredictable. He also suggests driving slowly through the park and keeping an eye on the road, since wildlife frequently cross without warning. While binoculars aren’t required, Jensen notes they can significantly enhance the experience, especially when scanning open prairie or river valleys from a distance. To maximize sightings, he encourages visitors to plan more than one day in the park when possible, as wildlife activity can vary from day to day, and weather conditions often play a role. Lastly, he suggests starting with a scenic drive, either the South Unit or the North Unit, to help visitors get a feel for where animals are active before choosing which trails to explore.recommendation: Visit Elkhorn Ranch, where Theodore Roosevelt found refuge in this spot on the Little Missouri River after his wife and mother died. Today, the ranch and building he constructed are gone, but some of the foundation stones remain. There are no facilities in this section of the park, but the beautiful cottonwood grove and bluffs provide a landscape of serene vistas.Scenic drives, hiking, and wildlife viewing are the most popular ways to experience the park, but there’s more to do than many visitors realize.are some of the park’s most underrated activities and are best enjoyed during the winter months from December through March. While the park doesn’t maintain designated trails for either activity, visitors are encouraged to create their own routes and stay aware of changing conditions.is another fun activity to do in the park. While Theodore Roosevelt National Park no longer offers guided trail rides, visitors with their own horses can still explore the landscapes Theodore Roosevelt himself once rode through. It’s a unique way to see a quieter, less-visited side of the park that many travelers never experience.. The park is more than 30 miles from any major city, meaning there’s very little light pollution and incredible views of the Milky Way and night sky. One of the best places to take it all in is Peaceful Valley Ranch. The park also hosts the, which is an excellent option for those who want to stargaze with others and take part in guided programs and special events., starts right at the visitor center and follows a roughly one-mile loop, giving families a chance to stretch their legs and enjoy the views up close rather than from the car.. Both are just under a mile long and offer great views of the park without requiring a long time commitment or strenuous elevation gain.is another great family-friendly activity. It lets visitors enjoy the park from sunrise to sunset, giving them time to hike, sightsee, and watch wildlife during the day and then take in the starry skies together at night.There is no lodging within Theodore Roosevelt National Park itself, but visitors can find accommodations in nearby towns like Medora and Watford City.The park has two campgrounds. Cottonwood Campground in the South Unit offers 76 sites, with half available on a first-come, first-served basis and the other half reservable through. Juniper Campground in the North Unit has 50 sites, most of which are on a first-come, first-served basis, while the one group site can be reserved through Recreation.gov.Entrance to the park costs $30 per vehicle and is valid for seven days. For those planning to visit multiple times in a year, the annual pass is $55. There’s also the America the Beautiful Pass, which costs $80 and grants entry to all participating national parks, making it an ideal choice for travelers planning to explore several parks throughout the year.The two most visited units of the park are the South and North Units. The South Unit’s entrance is in Medora and can be reached via Interstate 94, while the North Unit is accessed through Watford City on U.S. Highway 85.Pets are welcome in the park, but there are rules to keep both them and visitors safe. Dogs must be on a leash no longer than six feet and are not allowed on the trails. They are only permitted on paved surfaces, such as sidewalks, roads, and parking areas.. Both campgrounds also offer accessible sites and restrooms: Cottonwood Campground has four accessible campsites and two ADA-compliant restrooms, while Juniper Campground has two accessible sites and two ADA-compliant restrooms. Additionally, several overlooks, pullouts, and trails are wheelchair-friendly, with paved surfaces and minimal slopes, including Skyline Vista Overlook, Boicourt Overlook, and the Little Mo Nature Trail.
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