Theodore Roosevelt National Park is one of the least visited National Parks. Located in western North Dakota, this crown jewel of the National Parks gets far few visitors than Yellowstone or the Grand Tetons. But, don’t skip this off-the-beaten path park because it’s the perfect solitude-seeking destination that plays host to wildlife viewing, hiking and spiritual connection.

From its’ rugged Badlands meeting the Grasslands and Great Plains, it’s no wonder the majestic bison, elk and prairie dogs claim this land as theirs’…and why Theodore Roosevelt called it home.

Driving through the untouched vast terrain while witnessing many different geological wonders, roaming buffalo and other wildlife, you’ll come to realization of asking yourself why it took you so long to visit.

This article contains affiliate links. By clicking on them, it doesn’t cost you anything extra. Full disclosure here.

Why You Should Visit Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Why is it named Theodore Roosevelt National Park?

Where Theodore Roosevelt National Park sits is where he found his healing place after losing his mother from Typhoid Fever and his young wife, Alice, from kidney disease in 1884. Alice perished only two days after giving birth to their daughter on Valentines’ Day.

Oddly, his mother passed away on the same day leaving not-yet-President Roosevelt a devastated and broken man. He needed time and a quiet place to heal his wounded heart.

So, he escaped his political career, left his daughter with his sister and set out for the Dakota territories to seek that solitude. While there, he kept busy by ranching and becoming a sheriff.

Roosevelt also found his passion of writing history. But it wasn’t but a couple years later that a paralyzing blizzard forced him returning to society in New York and back into politics.

And now, 135 years later, while gazing out our windshield at Roosevelt’s “place of healing”, it didn’t take but a few hours or exploring to understand why what drew him here.

During Theodore Roosevelt’s presidency between 1901 and 1909, he signed into legislation establishing five National Parks; Crater Lake, Oregon; Wind Cave, South Dakota; Sullys Hill, North Dakota (later re-designated a game preserve); Mesa Verde, Colorado; and Platt, Oklahoma (now part of Chickasaw National Recreation Area). He also established four National Monuments.

Upon Theodore Roosevelt’s passing in early 1919, there were proposals to establish a memorial in his honor.

However, though Theodore Roosevelt headed much legislation to establish and preserve our National Parks, it wasn’t until November 10, 1978 that his efforts were finally recognized. Theodore Roosevelt National Park was established.

Today, Theodore Roosevelt National Park is home to over 70,000 acres of incredible nature that memorializes him for his contributions to the preservation, conservation and protection of our America’s resources.

Travel Pro Tip: Did you know Theodore Roosevelt is one of the four Presidential busts carved into Mount Rushmore?  Check out our Mount Rushmore National Memorial Ultimate Visitor Guide before you go!

Where Theodore Roosevelt Lived

Prior to his wife and mother’s passing, Theodore Roosevelt (pre-Presidency) was an avid hunter and loved the outdoors. North Dakota (formerly Dakota Territories) called his name so he decided to buy a ranch where he could go when he needed time away from New York.

So, he purchased the Chimney Butte Ranch located 7 miles south of the town of Medora.

Just outside the National Park entrance, stands his Maltese Cross Ranch Cabin and the Chimney Ranch. Roosevelt had built the Maltese Cross Cabin in 1883.

However, many years later, it was relocated from its original position near the banks of the Little Missouri River seven miles south of the town of Medora to its’ current location for continued preservation.

Theodore Roosevelt’s Maltese Cross Cabin and museum are open during visitor center operating hours. And, before heading out the door to set out on your adventure, pick up a couple souvenirs and stickers.

One National Park + Two Units = Lots To See and Do!

There are two parts of Theodore Roosevelt National Park; the South Unit and the North Unit. Both have indescribably beautiful scenic drives and pull-offs to view wildlife and scenery. But there’s so much more to do than drive the scenic loops and looking through your windows.

To give you an idea of the many hiking trails throughout Theodore Roosevelt National Park (both units combined), there’s something for everybody’s comfort zone.

There are 5 easy trails, 6 easy-to-moderate trails and 8 moderate-to-strenuous hiking trails. Unfortunately, we only got to hike three trails during our visit because of weather and time restraints. So that alone, tells us we need to return.

While the main attractions are the incredibly mind-blowing badlands topography and the majestic Bison, there is so much more to see and do.

And, to be quite honest, we didn’t get to see and do everything we wanted. Due to a few days of cold rain, it limited our time to explore. But that didn’t stop us going out on the nice days.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park South Unit

South Unit Scenic Loop

The 36 mile South Unit loop begins and ends in the town of Medora. While the drive takes approximately 90 minutes alone, we planned an all-day outing to stop for hikes and take some once-in-a-lifetime photos. The road winds around the Little Missouri Badlands.

South Unit Visitor Center

Before entering the South Unit, you’ll definitely want to visit the Visitor Center to stamp your National Park Passport. Rangers will recommend hiking trails and answer any questions you may have. You also can pick up your backcountry permits as well.

Before leaving though, we highly recommend watching the 17-minute video that highlights the history and habitats of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

Wildlife Viewing

The South Unit Scenic Loop Drive has several pullouts and interpretive signs of the history, wildlife and terrain. There was quite an abundance of wildlife including what the Park is known for; the Bison.

You may also get a glimpse of pronghorns, mule deer and elk, turkeys, coyotes and both, golden and bald eagles. And, if you’re lucky, you. may get to see the wild horses in the distance.

Theodore Roosevelt National  Park North Unit

The North Unit scenic drive is a little shorter taking in 28 miles of incredible scenery and vast terrain differentials. This roadway treks across the Badlands inclining its way up to the historic River Bend Overlook.

And, just when you think you’ve seen it all, the drive guides along the prairie grasses and, once again, through the Badlands to the breathtaking Oxbow Overlook. Plan to spend some time there to take in the view and explore.

North Unit Visitor Center

Since we had already visited the visitor center at the South Unit, our intent to visit the North Unit’s visitor center was only to get our National Park Passport cancellation dated stamp.

Besides, the North Unit’s was much smaller and had the same souvenirs, postcards and stickers. There are restrooms available there as well.

Wildlife Viewing

The North Unit treated us to several different viewings from rugged wilderness area, more badlands to vast grassland prairies.

On this scenic drive, we got to see bison, bighorn sheep, coyotes and more prairie dogs. We were told by the Rangers that we may be lucky to spot a moose or two; especially during rut season.

Points of Interest

• • • River Bend Overlook and CCC shelter
    • Oxbow Overlook
    • Cannonball Concretions Pullout
    • Caprock Coulee Nature Trail
    • Achenbach Trail

North Unit Hiking Trails

Nature Trails in the North Unit are perfect for casual hikers, but we read in the pamphlet that the backcountry trails really steal the show! The Buckhorn, Caprock Coulee, and famed Achenbach Trails traverse the park’s vast wilderness areas.

Again though, hikers must procure a backcountry permit for overnight hiking.

So of those trails, unfortunately we only got to hike the Caprock Coulee trail because we still had much to see in the North Unit.

On the trail, we encountered other hikers who sternly advised us to turn around and head back as a ‘bison bull who was full of himself’ didn’t want any of us in his territory.

Never do we want to mess with wildlife anyway but a big huge horny bison, oh hell no! Once we got back to our motorhome, we grabbed a snack and continued on our drive.

Our last stop before looping around for our return trip, we took in the beautiful panoramic views of the Badlands and the Little Missouri River carving its way through the river valley forest below.

Travel Pro Tip: For more comprehensive on the North Unit hiking trails, check out their Hiking Guide.

North Unit Camping – Juniper Campground

We didn’t camp in the North Unit however, we want to share the information about The North Unit’s Juniper Campground. It’s about five miles from Highway 85. Like Cottonwood, the primitive campground is open to tents and RVs with no hookups.

All regular sites are first come, first served. Juniper Campground generally fills up by late afternoon on weekends and holidays. The group site is by reservation only at recreation.gov and reservations open each year on the first business day in March at 8:00 am MST.

Again, like the South Unit’s Cottonwood Campground, water may not be available at the beginning and end of the season due to weather.

Next time we visit, we definitely will want to camp at Juniper Campground to enjoy more of the North Unit.

Final thoughts on why you should visit Theodore Roosevelt National Park

While some of the other notable National Parks get much more fanfare, the less visited Theodore Roosevelt National Park certainly doesn’t disappoint.

The scenic beauty of the layered badlands and majestic bison and wild horses will make you step back and appreciate the significance of why it became such a significant National Park. And why Theodore Roosevelt, himself, adored this off the beaten path wondrous treasure.

Trip planning resources for Theodore Roosevelt National Park

When planning your visit , we highly recommend this Theodore Roosevelt National Park Trails Illustrated Topographic Map. It illustrates all of the hiking trails and topography within the Park. The full-size foldable map is waterproof and won’t tear at the folds which is perfect to take on your hikes..

Explore Theodore Roosevelt National Park Guide Book is a great comprehensive guide that provides general logistical information plus interpretive information about Theodore Roosevelt National Park. It interprets the Park’s features, from its famous painted canyons to its petrified forests.

And, it also provides information on driving tours, suggested hikes, stories and legends about the life of Theodore Roosevelt. The guide also shows nearby cultural and recreational opportunities round out this guidebook.

Other National Parks worth visiting: