| Theodore Roosevelt National Park | |
Things to Do:
Theodore Roosevelt National Park features badlands, open prairie, hard wood draws, bison, prairie dogs and other wildlife, the Little Missouri River, and a past history that includes Theodore Roosevelt. The park is open year-round, but parts of the roads may be closed in the winter. Both units of the park offer summer interpretive programs, including campfire programs, talks, and guided walks. The park contains 100+ miles of trails, which offers opportunities ranging from short self-guiding nature walks to full-day or multi-day hikes. Theodore Roosevelt National Park is also open to horse use. Visitors may bring their own horses or take rides with the park concessionaire. The current trail ride operator in the park is Peaceful Valley Ranch/Shadow Country Outfitters. For more information on concessionaire trail rides, contact them directly at: 701-623-4568.
The 120-mile Maah Daah Hey Trail that traverses the scenic and rugged Little Missouri Badlands between Sully Creek State Primitive Park near the South Unit and CCC Campground next to the North Unit. The trail connects the North, South, and Elkhorn units.
North Unit
The North Unit Visitor Center is located at the park entrance and has an information desk, movie, and exhibits. If you have time, take the 14-mile Scenic Drive that goes from the entrance station to the Oxbow Overlook, with turnouts and interpretive signs along the way. Trails range from short self-guiding nature trails such as the Little Mo to the 16-mile Achenbach Trail.
South Unit
Begin your visit to the south unit of the park by stopping at the Medora Visitor Center. Here you can get information to plan your trip and visit the park museum, which includes personal items of Theodore Roosevelt, ranching artifacts and natural history displays. Theodore Roosevelt's Maltese Cross Cabin is located behind the Medora Visitor Center. The cabin is open for self-guided tours from September through May.
A major feature of the South Unit is a paved, 36-mile, scenic loop road with interpretive signs that explain some of the park's historical and natural features. Trails range from the short self-guiding Ridgeline Trail (0.6 miles), to the Petrified Forest Loop Trail (16 miles) that offers a look at the greatest collection of petrified wood in the park.
Elkhorn Ranch
The park includes includes the Elkhorn Ranch Site, which was the location of Roosevelt's principal home in the badlands, located 35 miles north of the Medora Visitor Center. The ranch buildings no longer exist but interpretive signs tell where the house and outbuildings were. Ask at the visitor center for access information before going to the site.
Other
Activities
A float trip down the Little Missouri River is an ideal way to experience the
beauty and solitude of the North Dakota Badlands. It takes about three or four
days to canoe the 110 miles between Medora near the South Unit of Theodore
Roosevelt National Park and Long X Bridge on U.S. Highway 85 near the park's
North Unit. Two days are needed to continue from Long X Bridge to Lost Bridge on
State Highway 22 (Little Missouri Bay on Lake Sakakawea).
The park also offers an excellent opportunity for viewing wildlife, including bison, mule deer and white-tailed deer, elk, wild horses, prairie dogs, pronghorn antelope, coyotes, and various other species.
