Theodore Roosevelt National Park

🌲 Park Overview

In the rugged badlands of western North Dakota, Theodore Roosevelt National Park (TRNP) preserves 70,000 acres of colorful buttes, cottonwood-lined rivers, and open prairie once beloved by the 26‑th U.S. president. Split into South, North, and remote Elkhorn Ranch Units, the park shelters roaming bison, feral horses, prairie dogs, and scenic drives that trace Roosevelt’s formative ranching years. With uncrowded trails, epic night skies, and four distinct seasons—from minus‑20 °F snowscapes to 90 °F blooming prairies—TRNP offers Yellowstone‑style wildlife minus the crowds.

🌟 Fun Facts

The park’s feral horse bands descend from early‑20th‑century ranch stock and now number ~200.

President Theodore Roosevelt credited his North Dakota ranch years (1883‑87) with shaping his conservation ethic—calling the badlands his “healing place.”

TRNP is the only U.S. national park named for a person, not just after one.

The South Unit’s Scenic Loop Drive passes a petrified forest of 60‑million‑year‑old cypress stumps.

📅 Best Time to Visit

Season

Weather

Highlights

Caveats

May – Jun

45–80 °F

Wildflowers, newborn bison & foals, mild temps

Spring mud; river crossings high

Jul – Aug

60–95 °F

Long daylight, Medora Musical nights, kayaking Little Missouri

Afternoon heat/thunderstorms, mosquitoes

Sep – Oct

40–75 °F

Golden cottonwoods, elk bugling, starry skies

First frost; early snow possible late Oct

Nov – Apr

–20 – 50 °F

Snowy bison, cross‑country skiing, aurora chances

Some facilities closed; icy roads

🎯 Things to Do

Families

Painted Canyon Visitor Center overlook & easy Nature Trail (1 mi).

Prairie Dog Town pull‑out squeak chorus.

Junior Ranger booklet + “Bison or Bust” scavenger badge.

Adventure‑Seekers

Maah Daah Hey Trail segment MTB (144‑mi epic; do 15‑mi day ride).

Caprock Coulee Loop (North Unit, 4.4 mi) for hoodoo scrambling.

Kayak or packraft the Little Missouri through cottonwood bottoms (Class I).

Photographers

Sunrise at Oxbow Overlook (North Unit).

Wild‑horse herds grazing Skyline Vista golden hour.

Milky Way over Buck Hill peak (dark‑sky Bortle 2).

🥾 Top Hikes & Points

Trail / Site

Dist. / Gain

Highlights

Petrified Forest Loop

10.4 mi / 600 ft

Stone logs, solitude, wild horses.

Painted Canyon Nature Trail

1.0 mi / 150 ft

Badlands layers & prairie blooms.

Caprock Coulee Loop

4.4 mi / 495 ft

Hoodoos, juniper draws, bighorn views.

Buck Hill

0.3 mi / 100 ft

Highest point South Unit (2,865 ft) panoramic sunset.

👨‍👩‍👧 Kid‑Friendly Extras

Night‑Sky Ranger Talk at Cottonwood CG (Fri/Sat Jun–Aug).

Medora’s Pitchfork Steak Fondue + Musical combo (just outside park) evening entertainment.

Borrow discovery backpacks (binocs, skull replicas) free at South Unit VC.

♿ Accessibility Notes

Fully ADA visitor centers & restrooms.

Wheelchair‑accessible overlooks: Skyline Vista, Wind Canyon, Oxbow.

Concrete path along first 0.2 mi of Prairie Dog Town Road for close critter view.

🗓️ Itinerary Ideas

1‑Day “Badlands Sampler” (South Unit)

8 a.m. Painted Canyon sunrise & coffee.

Drive Scenic Loop clockwise stopping at Prairie Dog Town & Wind Canyon (hike 0.4 mi).

Picnic at Cottonwood Campground.

Late‑day Buck Hill sunset & star photography.

3‑Day “Horse & Hoodoo”

Day 1: South Unit loop + Petrified Forest day hike; camp Cottonwood.

Day 2: Drive 68 mi to North Unit; Caprock Coulee Loop & Oxbow Overlook sunset; camp Juniper CG.

Day 3: Half‑day Maah Daah Hey ride from Peaceful Valley Ranch; lunch in Medora, depart.

🧳 Planning Tips

Park Pass: Scenic Loop may close for bison jams—carry ¼‑tank fuel minimum (no gas in park).

Weather: Summer thunderstorms—seek shelter from lightning in vehicle.

Town Base: Medora (pop. 135) offers lodging, steak fondue, shuttle; limited groceries—stock in Dickinson.

Bugs: Ticks April–June; mosquitoes July evenings—bring repellent.

🚧 Permits & Safety

Backcountry camping permits free at VCs; bear‑canisters not required (no grizzlies).

Bison unpredictable—stay 25 yd minimum; horses 10 yd.

Rattlesnakes sun on trails—watch foot placement.

🌄 Compare This Park With

Badlands NP (SD): Similar geology; TRNP adds bison, horses, and river valley.

Wind Cave NP: Prairie & bison but with cave; TRNP highlights badlands & rivers.

Canyonlands NP (Island): Layered canyons; TRNP greener with wildlife.

🔗 Internal Links

Blog – “Wild Horses 101: Where & When to Spot Them in TRNP.”

Printable – “Bison Safety Bingo & Sunrise‑Sunset Chart.”

📥 Printable Downloads (placeholder)

South vs. North Unit Scenic Drive Map

Maah Daah Hey Trail Day‑Ride Planner

Junior Ranger Crossword Sheet

🔍 SEO Keyword Targets

Theodore Roosevelt National Park wildlife viewing

South vs North Unit which to visit

Scenic Loop Drive TRNP map

Wild horses Theodore Roosevelt NP

Caprock Coulee trail guide

Best time to visit Theodore Roosevelt NP

Camping Cottonwood Campground reservations

Maah Daah Hey mountain bike segment

Medora Musical tickets

Theodore Roosevelt NP itinerary 2 days

Theodore Roosevelt National Park guide—badlands bison, wild-horse herds, and presidential history—is now fully drafted in its own document. Give it a look, and just say “next” when you’re ready to sail to the Virgin Islands guide!