Theodore Roosevelt National Park

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Theodore Roosevelt National Park preserves the rugged North Dakota Badlands that shaped one of America's most consequential presidents — and tells the story of how a young, grieving New York aristocrat came west in 1883, fell in love with this stark and beautiful land, and emerged years later with a conservation ethic that would define his presidency and the American public lands movement. Roosevelt once wrote that the Dakota Badlands were "so fantastically broken in form and so bizarre in coloring that they seem hardly to belong to this earth." Standing at any overlook above the Little Missouri River today, it's hard to argue. The park's 70,000 acres are divided into three separate units: the South Unit near Medora (most visited, home to the main visitor center and Roosevelt's Maltese Cross Cabin), the North Unit with more dramatic canyon scenery and far fewer crowds, and the remote Elkhorn Ranch Unit where Roosevelt's original cabin site sits in undisturbed badlands along the river. Established in 1978, TRNP sees fewer than 800,000 visitors annually — extraordinarily few for a national park of its quality — meaning that wildlife encounters, trailhead solitude, and unhurried exploration are the norm rather than the exception. This is the Great Plains at its most theatrical, where prairie dogs bark, wild horses roam canyon rims, and bison herds move across painted clay hills at dusk.

The South Unit Scenic Loop Drive (36 miles) is the park's most accessible introduction — a paved road curling through bison country with pullouts at prairie dog towns, canyon overlooks, and petrified forest exposures. The Ridgeline Nature Trail (0.6 miles) is a short interpretive loop with sweeping views. The Painted Canyon Overlook, visible right from I-94, is one of the most dramatic roadside views in the park system. The Petrified Forest Trail in the South Unit's backcountry (10.4 miles round trip from a separate trailhead) leads to striking ancient wood formations with complete solitude. The North Unit's Scenic Drive (14 miles) ends at the Oxbow Overlook — one of the finest canyon views in the northern plains, gazing down at a horseshoe bend of the Little Missouri River. The Caprock Coulee Trail (4.1 miles) is the North Unit's most rewarding day hike, climbing through badland formations to open prairie. Backcountry hiking and horse camping are available throughout both units with minimal permit requirements.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park is one of the best places in the United States to see bison up close. The park's managed herd of about 500 animals frequently wanders the road and trails — traffic stops are a normal part of any visit. Wild horses, descendants of domestic horses released or escaped over a century ago, roam both units and are frequently spotted on canyon rims at dusk. Prairie dog towns are scattered throughout the park; their barking, wrestling, and "jump-yip" communication displays are endlessly entertaining. Elk, white-tailed and mule deer, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, and coyotes complete a remarkable plains wildlife community. Golden eagles perch on rimrock ledges.

The park is open year-round; the $30 vehicle fee is valid for seven days. The South Unit is open all year; the North Unit road occasionally closes temporarily in winter. Cottonwood Campground (South Unit) can be reserved through Recreation.gov; Juniper Campground (North Unit) is first-come, first-served. The town of Medora, adjacent to the South Unit, has hotels, restaurants, and the famous Medora Musical outdoor amphitheater show (summer evenings). Cell service is limited throughout both units. The park is most visited in summer, but spring (bison calves) and fall (rut and foliage) are equally rewarding.

The South Unit is adjacent to Medora, North Dakota, directly off I-94 at Exit 24 — about 135 miles west of Bismarck. The North Unit is 15 miles south of Watford City off US-85, about 70 miles north of the South Unit. The nearest commercial airports are Dickinson Theodore Roosevelt Regional Airport (DIK), about 35 miles east of the South Unit, and Williston Basin International Airport (XWA) for the North Unit. No public transit serves either unit.

Never approach bison — they are wild animals capable of sprinting 35 mph and will charge vehicles and people without warning. Stay at least 25 yards away at all times. The North Unit is significantly less crowded than the South and arguably more scenically dramatic — make time for both if possible. Sunrise and sunset transform the painted clay hills into extraordinary color; schedule at least one dawn or dusk visit. Medora's small-town charm is genuine — the Medora Musical and the Chateau de Morès historic site add cultural context to the park experience. Carry water for any hike; temperatures swing dramatically between seasons.