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Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Designation: National Park

Location: North Dakota

Visit Official Park Website

📘 Park Overview

When Theodore Roosevelt came to Dakota Territory to hunt bison in 1883, he was a skinny, young, spectacled dude from New York. He could not have imagined how his adventure in this remote and unfamiliar place would forever alter the course of the nation. The rugged landscape and strenuous life that TR experienced here would help shape a conservation policy that we still benefit from today.

🌤 Weather Information

In winter, some or all park roads may be closed due to snow.

🚗 Directions

Theodore Roosevelt National Park is located in the Badlands of western North Dakota. There are three units to the park. The South Unit entrance is in the town of Medora, ND off of Interstate 94 exits 24 and 27. The North Unit entrance is on Highway 85 approximately 14 miles south of Watford City, ND. The remote Elkhorn Ranch Unit sits roughly in the middle of the North and South Units and is accessed via gravel roads. Consult park staff for directions to the Elkhorn Ranch Unit.

Images

A colorfully striped butte in the foreground overlooks a dark green badlands landscape

The River Bend Overlook offers one of the most popular views in the park's North Unit.

Credit: NPS Photo / Mark Meyers

the Little Missouri River under blue skies

The Maah Daah Hey Trail follows the Little Missouri River for several miles before it enters the Theodore Roosevelt Wilderness.

Credit: NPS Photo / Laura Thomas

A muddy river bank lined with cottonwood trees and steep buttes

The Ekblom Trail is the gateway to the Theodore Roosevelt Wilderness. All you have to do is make it across the river!

Credit: NPS Photo / Laura Thomas

two bull bison collide heads in a dusty battle for dominance

In the summer, bull bison wage furious battles over the right to breed.

Credit: NPS Photo / Teresina Wheaten

the swirling, dusty looking milky way runs vertically though a starry night sky

Though light pollution in the area is increasing, the night sky over Theodore Roosevelt National Park remains beautiful and inspiring.

Credit: NPS Photo / Jeff Zylland

a string of bison are silhouetted against the backdrop of hazy blue and yellow badlands

Bison roam the badlands from top to bottom, surprising visitors with their agility and ability to cross even the most rugged terrain.

Credit: NPS Photo / Roland and Lisa Honeyman

a green prairie hilltop overlooks the badlands, shrouded in shadows

A short climb to the top of Buck Hill in the park's South Unit rewards hikers with a sweeping panorama and a fantastic place to watch the sun rise or set.

Credit: NPS Photo / Laura Thomas

A bugling bull elk and his harem of cows stand on the edge of a butte as the sunlight fades

The ghostly bugles of bull elk can be heard wafting through the badlands in the fall.

Credit: NPS Photo / Rolan and Lisa Honeyman

a strange looking sand and rock formation stands in a prairie of brown grass

Theodore Roosevelt described the badlands as "so fantastically broken in form and so bizarre in color as to seem hardly properly to belong to this earth."

Credit: NPS Photo / Laura Thomas

The rising sun casts light on Roosevelt's snow-covered cabin.

Imagine waking up on a crisp winter morning in Roosevelt's Maltese Cross Cabin. It is no wonder that his heart was captured by the romance of life in the West.

Credit: NPS Photo

Activities

Topics

Operating Hours

Sunday
All Day
Monday
All Day
Tuesday
All Day
Wednesday
All Day
Thursday
All Day
Friday
All Day
Saturday
All Day

Entrance Fees

Entrance - Private Vehicle
Valid for 7 days for all persons traveling in a single, private, non-commercial vehicle.
$30.00
Entrance - Motorcycle
Valid for 7 days for all persons traveling on a single, non-commercial motorcycle.
$25.00
Entrance - Per Person
Valid for 7 days for a visitor traveling on foot, bicycle, horse, or other non-motorized means of travel.
$15.00
Commercial Entrance - Van
Based upon the total capacity of a vehicle that can carry 7-15 passengers, regardless of the actual number of passengers. A commercial tour is defined as consisting of one or more persons traveling on an itinerary that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure or recreational purposes by an organization that realizes financial gain through the provision of the service. Pass is good for seven days as long as it's the same passenger group.
$50.00
Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus
Based upon the total capacity of a vehicle that can carry 16-25 passengers, regardless of the actual number of passengers. A commercial tour is defined as consisting of one or more persons traveling on an itinerary that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure or recreational purposes by an organization that realizes financial gain through the provision of the service. Pass is good for seven days as long as it's the same passenger group.
$60.00
Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach
Based upon the total capacity of a vehicle that can carry 26 or more passengers, regardless of the actual number of passengers. A commercial tour is defined as consisting of one or more persons traveling on an itinerary that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure or recreational purposes by an organization that realizes financial gain through the provision of the service. Pass is good for seven days as long as it's the same passenger group.
$150.00

Entrance Passes

Annual Entrance - Park
The Theodore Roosevelt National Park Annual Park Pass is valid for one year from month of purchase. The pass admits the purchaser and passengers in a single, private, non-commercial vehicle, or the pass holder and his/her immediate family (spouse, children, parents) when entry is by other means (foot, bicycle).
$55.00

3-Day Weather Forecast

Wednesday, Aug 26

Sunny

Sunny

High: 80.6°F | Low: 48.4°F

Humidity: 44%

Wind: 7.8 mph

Rain Chance: 1%

UV Index: 6.6

Sunrise: 06:04 AM

Sunset: 07:45 PM

Moon: Full Moon (100%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 54.9°F

Cloud Cover: 1%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Thursday, Aug 27

Sunny

Sunny

High: 87.3°F | Low: 57.7°F

Humidity: 34%

Wind: 13.9 mph

Rain Chance: 4%

UV Index: 6.4

Sunrise: 06:06 AM

Sunset: 07:43 PM

Moon: Full Moon (100%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 59.2°F

Cloud Cover: 4%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Friday, Aug 28

Overcast

Overcast

High: 92.2°F | Low: 66.9°F

Humidity: 37%

Wind: 14.8 mph

Rain Chance: 9%

UV Index: 7

Sunrise: 06:07 AM

Sunset: 07:41 PM

Moon: Full Moon (98%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 65.7°F

Cloud Cover: 9%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Park Alerts

South Unit Scenic Drive Partial Closure Park Closure
South Unit's National Park Scenic Road is closed from mile marker 6.5 to mile marker 15.5 for repairs. East River Road remains open.
Prescribed Burns Planned for Wednesday, April 15, 2026 Caution
Theodore Roosevelt National Park is conducting prescribed burns in the South Unit on April 15. A section of the Maah Day Hey Trail in the park that goes through the burn unit will be closed to the public during the burn. The burn will take place West of the East River Road near the Cottonwood campground. Smoke will be present in the vicinity of the burn areas including the Cottonwood Campground and Peaceful Valley Ranch. Please use caution while traveling in the area.

More Info

Theodore Roosevelt National Park moves to cashless fee collection Information
Starting May 1, Theodore Roosevelt National Park will accept only credit cards, debit cards, or digital payments for entrance fees, campground fees, and Interagency Passes. Cash and check payments will no longer be accepted.

More Info

South Unit Address for Mobile Maps – Theodore Roosevelt NP Information
On all maps used on mobile devices, use the following address to reach the South Unit Visitor Center and Entrance Station 201 East River Road N. Medora, ND 58645
North Unit Scenic Drive Closed at Caprock Coulee Trail Park Closure
Due to winter weather conditions, the North Unit scenic drive is closed at Caprock Coulee (mile 6.5).
South Unit Entrance Area Closure Park Closure
Park areas surrounding the entrance to the South Unit, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, will be closed to the public from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday July 1, 2026. The closure will include park lands starting at the intersection of Pacific Ave and East River Road, Medora and continue on East River Road until it crosses Highway 94. The closure will include the South Unit Visitor Center and Parking Lot, and all park lands to the east and west of East River Road until the highway crossing.

More Info

South Unit Scenic Drive Closures Park Closure
Due to winter weather conditions, South Unit's National Park Scenic Road (Loop) is closed. East River Road remains open to the north boundary.
Cottonwood and Horse Roundup Campground Closure June 28 - July 10 Park Closure
Cottonwood Campground and Horse Roundup Campground will close from June 28 - July 10, 2026, in support of a special event. 

More Info

Painted Canyon Visitor Center and Associated Parking Area Closed Park Closure
The Painted Canyon Visitor Center and associated parking area will be temporarily closed today, June 28, 2026 for the health and safety of visitors and park staff.  Normal operations will resume at approximately 2pm. Violating a closure, designation or use activity restriction or public use limit is prohibited.
Painted Canyon Closed Park Closure
The Painted Canyon Overlook, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, will be closed to the public from 7 p.m. on Tuesday June 30, 2026, until approximately 3 p.m. on Wednesday July 1, 2026, local time. The closure will include the Painted Canyon Visitor Center, parking area, comfort station, Painted Canyon Trail, and Painted Canyon Nature Trail. The park area will be temporarily closed for security purposes.

More Info

Petrified Forest Trailhead Access Update: Use Approved Route Information
Directions to the Petrified Forest trailhead have changed. Please use the approved legal route from I-94, Exit 10 toward Camels Hump Lake and follow the clearly marked posts. This update helps maintain good cooperation with neighbors and respect park boundaries. For precise directions, use the link provided.

More Info

Park Events

Guided Bird Walk

Come learn about the birds residing in the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. 

Date: May 23, 2026 12:00am to May 23, 2026 12:00am

Paid Event

Guided Nature Walk

Join a guided hike and learn about the wildlife geology and history of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

Location: Juniper Picnic Area

Date: May 24, 2026 12:00am to May 24, 2026 12:00am

Paid Event

North Unit Guided Bird Walk

Join a Ranger at the Juniper Picnic Area for a morning bird walk and learn how to identify birds by sight and sound. Expect an easy stroll. Families and novice birders welcome! 

Location: Juniper Picnic Area, near the amphitheater.

Date: May 30, 2026 12:00am to May 30, 2026 12:00am

Paid Event

Laws of Nature - A Guided Hike

Join a ranger along the Caprock Coulee Nature Trail. Participants will discover living and non-living influences that shape the local environment. This hike is approx. 1.5 miles in legnth and takes roughly an hour to complete. 

Date: May 31, 2026 12:00am to May 31, 2026 12:00am

Paid Event

North Unit Guided Hike

Come along on a 1.4 mile walk to learn the interconnectedness of both living and non-living influences on the ecosystem.

Date: Jun 4, 2026 12:00am to Jun 4, 2026 12:00am

Paid Event

Maltese Cross Cabin Talk

Join a park ranger for a brief welcome chat exploring how Roosevelt’s experiences as a rancher, hunter, and outdoorsman in North Dakota helped shape the conservation ethic that later defined his presidency.

Date: Jun 4, 2026 12:00am to Jun 4, 2026 12:00am

Paid Event

North Unit Guided Hike

“Prairie, Plants and Pollinators”
An easy hike where we will explore native plants of a mixed grass prairie and the insects they rely on.

Date: Jun 5, 2026 12:00am to Jun 5, 2026 12:00am

Paid Event

Maltese Cross Cabin Talk

Join a park ranger for a brief welcome chat exploring how Roosevelt’s experiences as a rancher, hunter, and outdoorsman in North Dakota helped shape the conservation ethic that later defined his presidency.

Location: Behind the South Unit Visitor Center

Date: Jun 6, 2026 12:00am to Jun 29, 2026 12:00am

Paid Event

North Unit Guided Hike

“Geology of the Badlands”
Join a ranger on a hike on a 2 mile hike to explore the rich geologic history of the area, and learn how the landscape has been changed though time.

Date: Jun 6, 2026 12:00am to Jun 6, 2026 12:00am

Paid Event

North Unit Guided Hike

“Laws of Nature”
Come along on a 1.4 mile walk to learn the interconnectedness of both living and non-living influences on the ecosystem.

Date: Jun 7, 2026 12:00am to Jun 7, 2026 12:00am

Paid Event

Visitor Center & Contacts

📍 Physical Address:
315 Second Avenue
Medora, ND 58645

🏤 Mailing Address:
PO Box 7
Medora, ND 58645

📞 Voice Phone: 7016234466

📞 Fax Phone: 7016234840

✉️ Email: thro_interpretation@nps.gov

Park Location

👏 Fun Fact
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