Theodore Roosevelt National Park – Camping & Best Tips

by Petr Novák, ? This article’s information was last verified on this date. If you notice any errors, let us know in the comments. Thank you! :-) Updated 06/15/2023 National Parks, North Dakota, Tips for Trips

Theodore Roosevelt National Park is situated in the western part of the state of North Dakota. It encompasses an arid landscape known geologically as the “badlands,” which is divided into three sections – the North Unit, the South Unit, and the Elkhorn Ranch Unit. The three parts are connected by a 96 mi-long trail named the Maah Daah Hey.

Information About Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Despite the national park’s establishment on November 10, 1978, its history began much earlier. As its name indicates, the 26th President of the USA, Theodore Roosevelt, was instrumental in its creation. Roosevelt first traveled to North Dakota to hunt bison in September 1883 and quickly fell in love with the scenery. His affection for the land was so strong that he eventually invested in building two ranches, one of which is the Elkhorn Ranch that now forms a distinct part of the park.

The area became both a nature preserve and a memorial park following Roosevelt’s death in 1919. The park, which spans 110 mi², had to wait several more decades for its official recognition. In 2021, the park welcomed 796,085 visitors.

Evidence of the flat terrain of Theodore Roosevelt National Park can be seen in the minimal difference between its highest and lowest points. Peck Hill stands at 2,854 ft, while the Little Missouri River Valley lies at 1,936 ft, with a difference of only 919 ft.

Bison, elk, coyotes, prairie dogs, and badgers are among the typical wildlife inhabiting Theodore Roosevelt National Park’s prairies. Several species of snakes are found in the area, including the venomous green rattlesnake and the bullfrog. Of the 185 bird species, visitors are most likely to spot golden eagles, wild turkeys, black-headed titmice, and Virginia warblers.

What to See and Do in Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Two noteworthy places in the park are directly linked to Theodore Roosevelt.

The first is the Maltese Cross Cabin near the town of Medora. Roosevelt lived here from 1883 to 1884 before his presidency, until the tragic deaths of his mother and wife on the same day.

This tragedy plunged Roosevelt into deep depression, causing him to leave the cabin and focus more on his cattle business. Between the summer of 1884 and the spring of 1885, he built the Elkhorn Ranch. He bought the land at the time for $400, which was situated 35 mi north of Medora. The ranch was abandoned in 1887 after he lost 60% of his cattle during a severe winter and famine.

Wildlife watching is a popular activity in the park, especially spotting bison, deer, wild horses, elk, and longhorn cattle. These animals can be observed from the comfort of your vehicle if you take the Scenic Loop Drive. It’s recommended to keep at least 90-100 yards away from the animals; binoculars are a useful tool.

The park offers roughly 20 hiking trails ready to be explored. Some of the most exciting include the 984 ft-long Boicourt Overlook Trail in the southern section, leading to a beautiful viewpoint, and the equally long Buck Hill Trail leading to the park’s highest point. For the more adventurous, the 4 mi long Caprock Coulee in the northern part is recommended. It takes 2 to 3 hours to complete and offers a rewarding view of the grassy plains after some strenuous ascents and descents.

Paddling enthusiasts will also enjoy the park; it takes approximately 5 days to paddle the 107 mi stretch of the Little Missouri River between the village of Medora and the Long X Bridge off Highway 85. The ice in the river usually thaws in early April, and the best conditions for floating are in May and June. A river depth of at least 76 cm is required for safe navigation. You must either bring your own boat or rent one, as there are no local suppliers.

When to Visit Theodore Roosevelt National Park

The national park and visitor centers are open all year round; however, parts of the South Unit Scenic Loop Drive and North Unit Scenic Road may be closed in the winter due to snow.

The best time to visit is during summer, when temperatures are pleasant and days are longer. From June to August, daytime temperatures typically range from 82°F during the day to 55°F at night. The coldest month is January, when freezing temperatures are almost constant.

• Current weather forecast for Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Average Temperatures and Visitor Numbers at Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Average temperatures at Theodore Roosevelt National Park in the Watford City area are provided. Visitor numbers are based on a 2017-2021 average. The data source is the National Park Service.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park Entrance Fees

The entrance fee for Theodore Roosevelt National Park is $30 for a full passenger car and is valid for a week. Entry for motorcycles is $25 for the entire group, and for pedestrians, it is $15.00 per person.

Several days throughout the year have no entrance fee. These are typically national holidays and August 25, when the USA National Park Service celebrates its anniversary.

If you’re planning to visit several national parks in the USA, consider purchasing the America the Beautiful pass. This pass can be obtained for $80, allowing unlimited visits to all USA National Parks within a year of purchase.

How to Get to Theodore Roosevelt National Park

The most convenient method to reach the park is by private car, as I-94 highway runs through it. I have prepared routes from several towns in the area, including approximate drive times:

A car is also the easiest way to navigate within the park. Both the northern and southern parts of the park have paved roads and scenic byways. Parking is available along these routes or at the visitor center. For sightseeing, I recommend renting a 4×4 drive car.

During the winter months, it’s advisable to check the park’s website for road conditions beforehand.

Lodging in Theodore Roosevelt National Park

🏨 Hotels

Hotels and motels in towns along I-94 provide accommodation opportunities. East of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, there’s Glendive; and to the west, the town of Dickinson, home to 20,000 people. In both places, you have the option of staying in affordable Comfort Inn hotels, for instance.

• Find lodging in Dickinson
• Find accommodations in Glendive

⛺ Campsites

The park has three campsites, two in the southern part and one in the northern:

• Juniper Campground
  This year-round campground is located in the northern section, 4 mi from the entrance gate. It offers 50 tent sites, available on a first-come, first-served basis. The fee is $14.00 per site per night in the summer and $7.00 in the winter season.
• Cottonwood Campground
  This campground is situated in the southern part, approximately 6 mi from the entrance. Half of its 76 sites can be reserved in advance, with the rest available on-site. The fee is $14.00 per night in the summer and $7.00 during the rest of the year.
• Roundup Group Horse Campground
  This southern section campground caters exclusively to overnight campers arriving on horseback. It operates from May 1 to October 31, and advance reservations are always required. The nightly charge is $40, regardless of the number of group members.

Tips and Recommendations Before Traveling to Theodore Roosevelt National Park

ℹ️ Visitor Center

I recommend starting your park tour with a visit to one of the three visitor centers:

• Painted Canyon Visitor Center
  This visitor center is located off exit 32 of Highway 94. You can observe wildlife, walk the trail, shop for souvenirs, and use the restrooms.
• North Unit Visitor Center
  This small visitor center is situated just outside the north gate of the park in Watford City. Here, rangers can help you plan your trek, issue a permit, and sell souvenirs.
• South Unit Visitor Center
  This center is in the town of Medora in the park’s southern part. Here, you can visit the Theodore Roosevelt Museum, which displays items from his presidency.

👍 Good to Know

While Theodore Roosevelt National Park may not be famous enough to warrant a special trip, it’s certainly worth a few hours’ visit if you’re passing through.

The park doesn’t have any restaurants, so I recommend buying water and snacks in the larger towns you’re likely to pass through. For instance, there’s a Walmart in Dickinson.

• Official Theodore Roosevelt National Park website
• Map of Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Photos of Theodore Roosevelt National Park