Hi there!

 

Theodore Roosevelt National Park is the one and only official national park in North Dakota.

It is one of 3 official national parks in the Dakotas.

A trip to Theodore Roosevelt National Park is basically a trip to the North Dakota badlands!

 

Best things to do in Theodore Roosevelt National Park South Unit: Driving through Theodore Roosevelt National Park. South Unit or North Unit? or Elkhorn Ranch Unit? north dakota badlands. nd tavel blog

 

The first thing you should know about visiting Theodore Roosevelt National Park is that there are 3 “units” in the national park. These 3 units are in completely separate areas.

If you want to fully explore Theodore Roosevelt National Park, you will need at least 2 days.

It will be one day for the South Unit, and one day for the North Unit. Depending on how much you want to do, you might want to spend more than one day in one or both of the units, but you can have a perfect one day in each of the units.

If you want to go to the less visited area of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, you want to also go to the Elkhorn Ranch Unit, where you will see a whole bunch of nothing to get a sense for the inspiration that the North Dakota provided the “conservation president” Theodore Roosevelt!

I went to all 3 units of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, and these are the things to know about North Dakota’s only national park!

 

10+ best things to do in Theodore Roosevelt National Park

things to do in theodore roosevelt national park. things to do in north dakota national park

 

South Unit

 

1. South Unit Scenic Drive

Things to do in Theodore Roosevelt National Park South Unit: driving through theodore roosevelt national park south unit. north dakota travel blog

 

If you will be going to the main area of the South Unit (aka the national park entry), then it is a given to drive the Scenic Drive when you are in the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

The scenic drive is the main road that goes through the South Unit!

So basically, just get yourself on the Scenic Drive!

It will be a scenic drive just driving through Theodore Roosevelt National Park in the South Unit.

 

Things to do in Theodore Roosevelt National Park South Unit: driving through theodore roosevelt national park south unit. north dakota travel blog

Things to do in Theodore Roosevelt National Park South Unit: driving through theodore roosevelt national park south unit. north dakota travel blog

Things to do in Theodore Roosevelt National Park South Unit: driving through theodore roosevelt national park south unit. north dakota travel blog

Things to do in Theodore Roosevelt National Park South Unit: driving through theodore roosevelt national park south unit. north dakota travel blog

 

In its current state, the South Unit Scenic Drive is an out-and-back drive because there is a portion of the South Unit Scenic Drive that is closed. (It previously was a 36 mile scenic loop drive in the South Unit.) It is now listed as a 48 mile drive round trip. See current updates.

You will start by passing some smaller scenic overlooks like Medora Overlook and Skyline Vista Trail that will give you views of civilization including views of the town of Medora and I-94.

Then you will keep going to get deeper into the North Dakota badlands!

You can drive all the way to the Badlands Overlook, and this will be the last stop. And then you will turn around and drive back the way you came.

The National Park Service was officially recommending giving yourself around 1.5 hours to drive the 36 mile scenic loop drive. For a 48-mile out-and-back drive, you may want at least 2 hours.

But of course, that does depend on how many stops you make and what you want to do along the way! With stops, you will want to add in a possible 1-2 hours.

If you see something you like (and there’s parking nearby!) then you can stop the car, get out, and walk around and you might find rock formations that you like!

 

Things to do in Theodore Roosevelt National Park South Unit: rock formations along side of road. north dakota travel blog

Things to do in Theodore Roosevelt National Park South Unit: rock formations along side of road. north dakota travel blog
👆 There is one bathroom located near the end of the Scenic Drive. You can make it a short walk to these rock formations near the South Unit Scenic Drive bathroom.

 

Things to do in Theodore Roosevelt National Park South Unit: hoodoos, hidden caprocks, rock formations along side of road. north dakota travel blog

Things to do in Theodore Roosevelt National Park South Unit: hoodoos, hidden caprocks, rock formations along side of road. north dakota travel blog
👆 North Dakota hoodoos of Theodore Roosevelt national Park! How to walk to the hidden caprocks along the South Unit Scenic Drive

 

And you also do have a chance to see buffalo as you are driving through Theodore Roosevelt National Park in the South Unit too!

 

Things to do in Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Where to see buffalo in Theodore Roosevelt National Park wildlife. south unit scenic drive. north dakota travel blog

Things to do in Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Where to see buffalo in Theodore Roosevelt National Park wildlife. south unit scenic drive. north dakota travel blog

Things to do in Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Where to see buffalo in Theodore Roosevelt National Park wildlife. south unit scenic drive. north dakota travel blog

Things to do in Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Where to see buffalo in Theodore Roosevelt National Park wildlife. south unit scenic drive. north dakota travel blog

Things to do in Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Where to see buffalo in Theodore Roosevelt National Park wildlife. south unit scenic drive. north dakota travel blog

Things to do in Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Where to see buffalo in Theodore Roosevelt National Park wildlife. south unit scenic drive. north dakota travel blog

 

And you will also pass by some prairie dog towns as you are driving.

If you see tons of mounds of dirt in an open field, it’s a prairie dog town!

Roll your windows down so that you can hear the prairie dogs!

 

Things to do in Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Where to see prairie dogs in Theodore Roosevelt National Park wildlife. prairie dog town. south unit scenic drive. north dakota travel blog

 

You might even see some horses as you are driving!

 

Things to do in Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Where to see horses in Theodore Roosevelt National Park wildlife. south unit scenic drive. north dakota travel blog

 

While it’s possible to see wildlife from your car while driving, if hiking to potentially seeing wildlife sounds like your idea of a good time in Theodore Roosevelt National Park, then you also might like Old East Entrance Trail to hike to a prairie dog town.

And on the Jones Creek Trail you have a chance to see prairie dogs, horses, and buffalo… maybe!

Aside from a chance to see wildlife while driving along the South Unit Scenic Drive, there are also number of “official” stops (aka named stops) that you can make along the way.

The popular spots on the South Unit Scenic Drive are coming up next on the list. You will see signs for these stops as you are driving the Scenic Drive.

 

 

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2. Wind Canyon Trail

Things to do in Theodore Roosevelt National Park South Unit: Wind Canyon Trail. wind canyon overlook. north dakota travel blog

 

The short Wind Canyon Trail leads to one of the popular overlooks in Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

You can walk around for 5-10 minutes to take in the views of Wind Canyon and the Little Missouri River.

 

Things to do in Theodore Roosevelt National Park South Unit: Wind Canyon Trail. wind canyon overlook. north dakota travel blog

 

Wind Canyon Trail is also known as a sunset spot in Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

 

 

3. Boicourt Trail

Things to do in Theodore Roosevelt National Park South Unit: Boicourt Trail. north dakota travel blog

 

Right near the Boicourt Overlook, you’ll see a sign for the Boicourt Trail.

There’s a paved trail that you can walk out for a few minutes to get views of the North Dakota badlands.

 

Things to do in Theodore Roosevelt National Park South Unit: Boicourt Trail. north dakota travel blog

Things to do in Theodore Roosevelt National Park South Unit: Boicourt Trail. north dakota travel blog

 

At the end of the paved trail, there’s a dirt trail.

You can take this dirt trail to go further for more views of the badlands.

You will be hiking with views of the badlands! It’s just a few minutes until you reach the end of the ridge trail.

 

Things to do in Theodore Roosevelt National Park South Unit: Boicourt Trail. north dakota travel blog

Things to do in Theodore Roosevelt National Park South Unit: Boicourt Trail. north dakota travel blog

Things to do in Theodore Roosevelt National Park South Unit: Boicourt Trail. north dakota travel blog

 

 

4. Buck Hill Overlook

Things to do in Theodore Roosevelt National Park South Unit: Buck Hill Trail. buck hill overlook. north dakota travel blog

 

Buck Hill is another one of the popular overlooks in Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

There’s a short but steep hill to get to the top of Buck Hill from the parking lot.

 

Things to do in Theodore Roosevelt National Park South Unit: Buck Hill Trail. buck hill overlook. north dakota travel blog

 

Once at the top, you can see vast views of the North Dakota badlands.

You can also take the trail to walk out further to get more vast views of the badlands.

You will be hiking with views of the badlands!

 

Things to do in Theodore Roosevelt National Park South Unit: Buck Hill Trail. buck hill overlook. north dakota travel blog

 

/ end South Unit Scenic Drive

 

 

Outer area of South Unit #1

5. Painted Canyon

The Painted Canyon area is considered to be in the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, but it is outside the main area. (The main area being the South Unit Scenic Drive.)

The Painted Canyon Overlook is one of the easiest overlooks to access in Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

That’s because Painted Canyon is the spot that is the I-94 rest area.

You’ll drive right on into this “rest area” and the Painted Canyon Overlook is like right there.

If you want to give yourself time, then there are also 2 hiking trails that you can do from here.

The shorter one is the Painted Canyon Nature Trail. This starts off to the left as you are facing the canyon.

The longer one is the Painted Canyon Trail.

 

Things to do in Theodore Roosevelt National Park South Unit: painted canyon trail. north dakota travel blog

 

This starts off to the right as you are facing the canyon. This will take you deeper into the “painted canyon” and you have a chance to get a close up look at some unique rock formations. 

 

 

Outer area of South Unit #2

6. Petrified Forest

Things to do in Theodore Roosevelt National Park South Unit: petrified forest trail. north dakota travel blog

 

The Petrified Forest area is also considered to be in the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, but it is also outside the main area.

You will get to see petrified wood with the backdrop of the North Dakota badlands.

It requires hiking to see the petrified wood in Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

The Petrified Forest loop trail is around 10 miles long. You can make it a shorter hike by hiking just part of it. You can hike to the north or to the south as a 3 mile round trip hike.

I made it a shorter hike on the Petrified Forest Trail to the north.

 

Things to do in Theodore Roosevelt National Park South Unit: petrified forest trail. north dakota travel blog

Things to do in Theodore Roosevelt National Park South Unit: petrified forest trail. north dakota travel blog

Things to do in Theodore Roosevelt National Park South Unit: petrified forest trail. north dakota travel blog

 

Getting to the Petrified Forest Trail included a google maps fail when coming from the Elkhorn Ranch Unit. It was telling me to turn down a “road” that had a clear sign that said no cars allowed. But eventually I did manage to get there so it was overall fine.

If you will be driving by a Theodore Roosevelt National Park visitor center (like the main South Unit visitor center or Painted Canyon visitor center), you can pick up the national park newsletter and it will provide you with printed directions on how to get there.

 

/ end South Unit

 

North Unit

 

7. North Unit Scenic Drive

Well, once again, it is a given to drive the Scenic Drive when you are in the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

The Scenic Drive is the main road that goes through the North Unit!

So basically, just get yourself on the Scenic Drive!

It will be a scenic drive just driving through Theodore Roosevelt National Park in the North Unit.

The North Unit Scenic Drive is an out-and-back drive that is listed as 28 miles round trip.

The National Park Service officially recommends giving yourself around 1 hour and 15 minutes to do this drive.

But of course, that does depend on how many stops you make and what you want to do along the way!

Once again, you might want to give yourself an extra 1-2 hours.

If you see something you like (and there’s parking nearby!) then you can stop the car, get out, and walk around and you might find rock formations that you like!

 

Things to do in Theodore Roosevelt National Park North Unit: rock formations along side of road. north dakota travel blog

 

There is a chance that you will see buffalo while driving through Theodore Roosevelt National Park in the North Unit too!

 

Things to do in Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Where to see buffalo in Theodore Roosevelt National Park wildlife. north unit scenic drive. north dakota travel blog

Things to do in Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Where to see buffalo in Theodore Roosevelt National Park wildlife. north unit scenic drive. north dakota travel blog

Things to do in Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Where to see buffalo in Theodore Roosevelt National Park wildlife. north unit scenic drive. north dakota travel blog

 

There are a number of smaller stops you can make along the way, and the popular spots on the North Unit Scenic Drive are coming up next on the list.

 

 

8. Cannonball Concretions

Things to do in Theodore Roosevelt National Park North Unit: cannonball concretions. north dakota travel blog

 

You can make a quick stop along the North Unit Scenic Drive to see some unique rock formations called the cannonball concretions.

You can climb up around the rocks here.

 

Things to do in Theodore Roosevelt National Park North Unit: cannonball concretions. north dakota travel blog

 

You can also start the Buckhorn Trail from the cannonball concretions.

 

Things to do in Theodore Roosevelt National Park North Unit: cannonball concretions to buckhorn trail to prairie dog town. north dakota travel blog

 

This will be a hike that will give you views of the badlands, and you can also make it a hike to a prairie dog town.

 

Things to do in Theodore Roosevelt National Park North Unit: cannonball concretions to buckhorn trail. north dakota travel blog

Things to do in Theodore Roosevelt National Park North Unit: buckhorn trail to prairie dog town. north dakota travel blog

Things to do in Theodore Roosevelt National Park North Unit: buckhorn trail to prairie dog town. north dakota travel blog

 

It would not be unusual to see buffalo on the Buckhorn Trail.

 

 

 

9. River Bend Overlook

Things to do in Theodore Roosevelt National Park North Unit: river bend overlook. north dakota travel blog

 

The River Bend Overlook is around halfway on the Scenic Drive.

This is one of the popular overlooks in Theodore Roosevelt National Park in the North Unit.

You will get vast views of the North Dakota badlands… and yes along with views of the river bend.

 

Things to do in Theodore Roosevelt National Park North Unit: river bend overlook. north dakota travel blog

 

 

10. Oxbow Overlook

Things to do in Theodore Roosevelt National Park North Unit: oxbow overlook. north dakota travel blog

 

The Oxbow Overlook is at the very end of the Scenic Drive. You could call this your destination!

This is another one of the popular overlooks that will give you vast views of the North Dakota badlands.

 

 

11. Caprock Coulee Loop Trail

Things to do in Theodore Roosevelt National Park North Unit: caprock coulee trail. north dakota travel blog

 

If you are looking to do just ONE hike in Theodore Roosevelt National Park, then you might want to make it the Caprock Coulee Loop Trail!

This is also called simply the Caprock Coulee Trail.

This is one of the best hikes in Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

Part of this trail is the Caprock Coulee Nature Trail.

The nature trail will allow you to see some unique rock formations.

 

Things to do in Theodore Roosevelt National Park North Unit: caprock coulee nature trail. north dakota travel blog

 

But to get the full experience, you’ll want to hike the full loop.

It will give you many more grand views of the North Dakota badlands and unique rock formations.

The Caprock Coulee loop trail is officially listed as a 4.3 mile moderate to strenuous hike. There are some hills.

The National Park Service also recommends giving yourself 2-3 hours for this hike.

You can start this trail from the Caprock Coulee trailhead or the River Bend Overlook trailhead.

You can also extend this hike by adding 1.6 miles round trip to go to the prairie dog town.

The Caprock Coulee Trail connects to the Buckhorn Trail near the Caprock Coulee trailhead. From there you can hike to the prairie dog town and back.

 

See more about this Theodore Roosevelt National Park activity: Best hikes in North Unit
Those are the most popular things to do in the North Unit. See more: Driving through Theodore Roosevelt National Park North Unit

/ end North Unit

 

 

Elkhorn Ranch Unit

 

12. Elkhorn Ranch

Things to do in Theodore Roosevelt National Park Elkhorn Ranch Unit: elkhorn ranch trail. north dakota travel blog

 

The Elkhorn Ranch Unit is the most remote of the 3 units of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

It is a drive of 1.5 to 2 hours to get to the Elkhorn Ranch, whether you are coming from the South Unit or from the North Unit.

This is the unit that you will go to for the purpose of seeing nothing.

Once you get to the Elkhorn Ranch Unit parking lot, there is a trail.

This trail that will lead you to the site of what used to be Theodore Roosevelt’s ranch, aka nothing.

There is pretty much nothing left of the ranch, except a few stones that are said to be the foundations of the ranch.

The purpose of going to the Elkhorn Ranch is to imagine what Theodore Roosevelt may have felt by being out here pretty much all alone in the wilderness of the North Dakota badlands!!

His goal was solitude after experiencing tragedy back at home in New York.

Note that he was not literally alone. He did recruit friends from Maine for help with his ranch in the North Dakota badlands!

Read more about the life story of Theodore Roosevelt.

 

See more about driving to the Elkhorn Ranch Unit.

 

 

Are all units of Theodore Roosevelt National Park worth visiting?

Well, to be lame… it depends… 😜

It depends on what you’re looking for out of your trip to Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

In short, yes, it CAN be… for some people. I am happy to have visited all 3 units.

But there will also be people who think that it’s not worth it at all to visit all 3, especially the most remote unit of them all.

The most remote unit of the Elkhorn Ranch Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park is quite literally about going to see nothing.

But that can also be part of the point of Theodore Roosevelt National Park!

That’s because the North Dakota badlands is said to have had a big impact on Theodore Roosevelt!

 

The National Park Service quotes Theodore Roosevelt as saying:

I have always said I never would have been president if it had not been for my experiences in North Dakota.

 

By visiting all 3 units, you can get a deeper appreciation of Theodore Roosevelt’s appreciation of the North Dakota badlands!

Hopefully you will get to experience at least a small part of that with a visit to the national park named after him!

Theodore Roosevelt is also one of the faces on Mount Rushmore National Memorial. The Mount Rushmore presidents were selected to represent different parts of American history.

 

Theodore Roosevelt National Park to Mount Rushmore. north dakota to south dakota. nd tavel blog
👆 Mount Rushmore National Memorial: The presidents that represent American history as part of Mount Rushmore are George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. Theodore Roosevelt is remembered as an important piece of American history, as a president who encouraged conservation through the creation of public lands. Theodore Roosevelt National Park to Mount Rushmore is around a 4.5 hour drive. Mount Rushmore is located in the Black Hills of South Dakota.

 

Theodore Roosevelt is said to have been chosen for Mount Rushmore to represent the conservation efforts of the great outdoors, which includes national parks and national monuments.

According to the National Park Service, among the public lands that Theodore Roosevelt helped to establish include:

…and many others.

 

The South Unit is the most convenient area of Theodore Roosevelt National Park to visit.

Getting to Theodore Roosevelt National Park near I-94. north dakota tavel blog

 

The South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park is the popular unit.

It is conveniently located off of the interstate, I-94.

There is even one section of the South Unit that doubles as an I-94 rest area!

The “Old West town” of Medora ND is the “gateway town” to Theodore Roosevelt National Park. This is a small town.

The nearest “big town” (aka town with chain hotels and Walmart) is the city of Dickinson ND.

Dickinson ND to Theodore Roosevelt South Unit is around a 40 minute drive.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park is in Western North Dakota.

 

How to get from South Unit to North Unit

north unit or south unit... or both?! Driving from North Unit to South Unit Theodore Roosevelt National Park. north dakota tavel blog

 

The South Unit to North Unit is around a 1 hour drive.

The North Unit is a section of Theodore Roosevelt National Park that is one of the more remote areas of the national park.

It is not near any interstate.

And the South Unit is around 70 miles away by car from the North Unit!

 

north unit or south unit... or both?! Driving from North Unit to South Unit Theodore Roosevelt National Park. north dakota tavel blog

 

 

Camping in Theodore Roosevelt National Park

The South Unit campground is the Cottonwood Campground. (You might be camping with buffalo!)

The North Unit campground is the Juniper Campground.

There is no campground at the Elkhorn Ranch Unit in Theodore Roosevelt National Park. But nearby there is the Elkhorn Campground that is a part of the Little Missouri National Grassland.

 

 

 

Cost to visit Theodore Roosevelt National Park

There is an entry fee for Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

This cost is $30 per car.

This will get you a 7-day pass for Theodore Roosevelt National Park, and it will be good for all units of the national park.

If you plan to visit at least 3 national parks within a year, you may consider getting the annual national park pass.

 

cost of Theodore Roosevelt National Park entry fee. north dakota tavel blog
👆 Cost of Theodore Roosevelt National Park entry fees in 2021.

 

 

And those are some things to do in Theodore Roosevelt National Park!

 

You may also be interested in these Theodore Roosevelt National Park activities:

 

You may also be interested in other badlands:

 

HAPPY VISIT TO THEODORE ROOSEVELT NATIONAL PARK!

 

south unit or north unit... or both?! Driving from South Unit to North Unit Theodore Roosevelt National Park. north dakota tavel blog
👆 Views of the North Dakota badlands a 10 minute drive away from Theodore Roosevelt National Park North Unit entrance, driving up from the south along the CanAm Highway.

 

Best things to do in Theodore Roosevelt National Park South Unit: Driving through Theodore Roosevelt National Park South Unit scenic drive. north dakota badlands. nd tavel blog
👆Driving through Theodore Roosevelt National Park South Unit

 

Best things to do in Theodore Roosevelt National Park North Unit: Driving through Theodore Roosevelt National Park North Unit scenic drive. north dakota badlands. nd tavel blog
👆 Driving through Theodore Roosevelt National Park North Unit

 

Best things to do in Theodore Roosevelt National Park Elkhorn Ranch Unit: Driving to Theodore Roosevelt National Park Elkhorn Ranch Unit. north dakota badlands. nd tavel blog
👆 Driving to Theodore Roosevelt National Park Elkhorn Ranch Unit

 

Best things to do in Theodore Roosevelt National Park South Unit: Driving through Theodore Roosevelt National Park. South Unit or North Unit? or Elkhorn Ranch Unit? north dakota badlands. nd tavel blog

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