Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Overview

Theodore Roosevelt National Park is a one-of-a-kind park with a unique history. In addition to being a memorial park commemorating former president and ardent conservationist Theodore Roosevelt, the land is also recognized for its distinct cultural heritage and varied natural resources. In the 19th century, cattle ranching became one of the chief uses of much of the Badlands, and many came West to seek their fortunes. While cattle brought Theodore Roosevelt to the area, it was the beauty of the landscape that made a deep impression on him. Theodore Roosevelt National Park celebrates the role that the dramatic hills played in shaping one of America's greatest conservationists. While no longer used for grazing today, the park preserves the ranching history of the region. Today, the 70,448-acre park is home to a variety of animals and continues to memorialize the 26th president for his enduring contributions to the protection of our nation's resources.

To learn more about Theodore Roosevelt National Park, visit www.nps.gov.

Local Info

Located in the Badlands of western North Dakota, the park is comprised of three areas: the South Unit, the North Unit and the Elkhorn Ranch Unit. The South Unit entrance is next to the town of Medora, the North Unit is approximately 14 miles south of Watford City, and the Elkhorn Ranch Unit is located 35 miles north of Medora.

South Unit Visitor Center Hours (note that the South Unit operates on Mountain Standard Time):

• June - September: 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. MST
• October - May: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. MST
• Closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

North Unit Visitor Center Hours (note that the North Unit operates on Central Time):

• Tuesday - Friday: 10:00am - 3:00pm
• Saturday - Monday: 8:30am - 4:30pm

Visiting Tips

The park is open 24 hours a day, year-round. Summer weather tends to be mild with highs in the 70s to 80s with the chance for the occasional thunderstorm. Winter and spring can be quite cold, and visitors are advised to come prepared for blizzard conditions. The park can be windy year round.

Fees and Passes
To find more about park fees, click here.

• Purchase an annual pass for all national parks sites, $80

Camping & Lodging

Lodging
While no lodging is available within the park, the adjacent communities offer a variety of accommodations near the park. More information about lodging near the park can be found here.

Camping
South Unit:

• Cottonwood Campground: Open year round. 76 sites with 37 reservable sites. Reservations can be made online or by calling 1-877-444-6777.
  
• Roundup Group Horse Campground: Open from May 1 through October 31. Primarily used for groups of up to 20 people accompanied by horses or up to 30 people without horses. Reservations are required and can be made online or by calling 1-877-444-6777.

North Unit:

• Juniper Campground : Open year-round. Sites available on a first come, first served basis; 50 sites and 1 group site; only the group campsite is reservable.

Backcountry:

• While there are no established backcountry campsites, visitors can camp up to 14 days in the backcountry and must obtain a free backcountry permit from the visitor center. More information on backcountry camping can be found here.

Food & Drink

While the park does not operate any restaurants, many dining options exist in Medora, Watford City, and in the surrounding communities. Visit the park's website for more information.

Other Activities

Whether you are interested in running, biking, horseback riding, canoeing, kayaking, or fishing, Theodore Roosevelt offers a multitude of ways to explore the park. The park also contains several sites of historical significance, each associated with the era of cattle ranching in the late 1800s. Most significant is Theodore Roosevelt's Elkhorn Ranch Site, the main ranch site where he spent the bulk of his time and where many of his conservation ideas grew. Other sites include Roosevelt's first ranch home, the Maltese Cross Cabin, the Long X Trail which was used as a corridor to move cattle into the Northern Great Plains in the 1800s, and Peaceful Valley Ranch which was built in the 1880s and served as a dude ranch from 1918 to the 1930s. Visit the park's website for more information on the numerous ways to explore the park.

Maps & Guidebooks

To download a variety of free maps and brochures to help plan your trip, click here.