Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota, USA - map, photos and visitor information

Theodore Roosevelt National Park protects North Dakota badlands in three separate areas. The South Unit at Medora is convenient for an Interstate 94 stop, while the North Unit and Elkhorn Ranch need their own travel plans. Layered hills, prairie dog towns, and the Little Missouri River give each visit a different focus.

Highlights in Theodore Roosevelt National Park

• South Unit viewpoints: explore badlands scenery from scenic-road stops and short walks near Medora.
• Little Mo Trail: follow a paved inner loop through river-bottom habitat in the North Unit.
• Painted Canyon: stop off I-94 for a view into the badlands, or prepare for a walk below the rim.
• Elkhorn Ranch: visit the remote setting associated with Roosevelt's ranching years, with careful attention to gravel-road conditions.

Plan around the park's separate units

Fees, hours, and seasonal access

Badlands weather and wildlife safety

Bison may look calm but can react suddenly. Give large animals room, do not feed them, and wait if they occupy the road or trail. Watch where you place hands and feet because rattlesnakes can be difficult to see.

Carry water for the entire hike. Backcountry water sources are scarce, and heat, wind, or sudden storms can change the demands of a route. Wet clay can become slippery, while steep badlands slopes may give way underfoot. Leave exposed or unstable terrain when conditions deteriorate.

Protect prairie and badlands habitats

Leave fossils, rocks, plants, and cultural objects in place. Take out your trash and keep noise low around wildlife. Use established walking routes where practical to reduce damage to soft terrain.

Pets may use permitted developed areas, including campgrounds, picnic areas, roadsides, and parking areas. They cannot use park trails or the backcountry. Keep pets attended and on a leash no longer than 6 feet. The paved sidewalk at Painted Canyon offers views without taking a pet onto a trail.

Camping reservations and backcountry permits

Current NPS instructions require Recreation.gov reservations for Cottonwood and Juniper campsites. Cottonwood's standard sites can be booked up to six months ahead. Group campsites and Roundup Group Horse Camp follow their own release schedules. Use the park camping instructions to find the appropriate booking route.

Backcountry camping requires a free permit obtained at the North or South Unit visitor center. There are no developed backcountry campsites or facilities. Confirm winter campground registration arrangements before arrival.

Finding Medora, the North Unit, and Elkhorn Ranch

The South Unit entrance is in Medora, reached from I-94. For navigation, NPS lists 201 East River Road North, Medora. Painted Canyon is a separate stop at I-94 exit 32, about 7 miles east of town.

The North Unit entrance is on US 85, approximately 14 miles south of Watford City. Its navigation address is 208 Scenic Drive, Watford City. The units are separated by a substantial drive, so check the time zone when arranging visits or meeting others.

Elkhorn Ranch is reached by gravel roads. The final miles may require high clearance or four-wheel drive, especially after rain or in winter. Follow the unit-specific driving directions and ask about conditions before setting off. Download the official unit maps to keep each destination clear.

Nearby parks along regional routes

• Rough Rider State Park: a nearby Medora option at 1465 36th Street. Older references may call it Sully Creek State Park.
• Makoshika State Park: a longer regional stop at Glendive, Montana, reached westward along I-94 and then through town. It suits an onward road trip rather than a brief stop between the national park's units.

Choose walks by distance and terrain

Skyline Vista in the South Unit offers a short, paved 0.1-mile walk. Boicourt Overlook is another shorter option with a slight grade. These stops let you spend time outside the car without committing to a long badlands hike.

Wind Canyon is a 0.4-mile round-trip outing with stairs and uneven surfaces. Its view over the Little Missouri River comes with more footing demands than the paved overlooks. At Painted Canyon, walking below the rim also means climbing back out.

In the North Unit, Little Mo Trail offers a 0.7-mile paved inner loop and a longer unpaved outer loop. Longer trails cross remote terrain and may involve difficult water crossings. Compare the route, current conditions, and your water supply before leaving a developed area.

Visitor services and primitive campgrounds

The South Unit, North Unit, and Painted Canyon visitor centers provide orientation. NPS identifies all three centers and the Maltese Cross Cabin as wheelchair accessible.

Cottonwood serves the South Unit and Juniper the North Unit. Park campgrounds have no hookups or showers. Cottonwood's water supply is not assured after October 1, and vault toilets remain an option when seasonal services are reduced. Bring water rather than counting on an autumn refill.

Selected campsites, picnic facilities, and overlooks have accessibility features. Short hard-surfaced routes include Skyline Vista, Boicourt, and the inner Little Mo loop. Other paths may include steps or rough dirt. Use the feature details for the exact stop you choose.

The park has no lodging or dining service. Medora provides accommodation, meals, and fuel beside the South Unit, with fewer services in winter. Watford City provides supplies and accommodation north of the North Unit.

About Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Ranching, conservation, and the badlands

The park interprets Roosevelt's ranching years in Dakota Territory during the 1880s, including the Maltese Cross and Elkhorn ranches. Its history also includes American Indian cultures and the conflicts surrounding westward expansion. The protected park's origins date to 1947.

Bison and prairie dog towns

American bison and black-tailed prairie dogs are prominent residents. Birds also use the prairie, river corridor, and badlands, with many species passing through seasonally. Watch from a distance and allow animals to move without crowding their path.

Contact Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Call 701-623-4466 for park information. Send US Postal Service mail to PO Box 7, Medora, ND 58645. That mailing address is separate from the South Unit entrance address. The park contact page lists physical addresses and other contact options.