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All visitor centers, wayside exhibits, campground amphitheaters, Maltese Cross Cabin are accessible. Both campgrounds have accessible campsites. First portion of Little Mo Nature Trail is paved. Parking areas at each visitor center for buses and trailers. Pull-outs along park road accommodate longer vehicles. Orientation film shown at Painted Canyon and North Unit visitor centers can be captioned. Printed text is available at the South Unit Visitor Center. Access to the Elkhorn Ranch site may require 4-wheel drive and may be inaccessible at certain times of the year due to weather and road conditions.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park is noted for opportunities to see bison, elk, mule and white-tailed deer, pronghorn antelope, prairie dogs, coyote and other small mammals as well as a variety of birds including golden eagles. Wild (feral) horses can be seen in the South Unit and longhorn steers in the North Unit.
Visiting park visitor centers with museum and orientation films; visiting the Maltese Cross Cabin near the Medora Visitor Center; joining a guided talk or walk or attending evening program; driving scenic park roads; wildlife viewing; bird watching; hiking; and camping are also fun activities to help you enjoy your visit to Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
South Unit: a minimum of four hours is recommended to visit the Medora Visitor Center and drive the 36-mile loop road. North Unit: a minimum of three hours. If time is spent taking one or both of the short, self-guided nature walks in either unit, add two hours. Longer hikes take all day. Driving distance between the North and South Units is 70 miles. At least two days is recommended to visit both the North and South units plus walk some of the short nature trails. Topography and landscape are different between the North and South Unit.
"Nothing could be more lonely and nothing more beautiful than the view at nightfall across the prairies to these huge hill masses, when the lengthening shadows had at last merged into one and the faint after-glow of the red sunset filled the west." Theodore Roosevelt.
See the Camping Page for more information.
All roads in Theodore Roosevelt National Park are open to cyclists. The park roads follow the contours of the badlands allowing riders to enjoy the park close up. Off-road cycling is not allowed in the park. All bicycles must remain on paved or dirt roads.
Bicylists should exercise caution as they ride in the park; they will share the narrow roads with large RVs and other vehicles. Traffic is heaviest in June, July and August and Road shoulders are absent in some places. Bicyclists must obey all traffic laws.
Use caution around bison and all wildlife.
The Road Log Guide to Theodore Roosevelt National Park can add to your appreciation of the park. It is available at park visitor centers for a fee (or at the TRNHA Web Page Bookstore).
Special note on the Maah Daah Hey Trail: Bicycles are not permitted on the trail as it passes through both the North and South Units of the park. Bicycles cannot be carried or walked over the trail. They must go around the park. The Buffalo Gap Trail circumvents the South Unit. Users of the trail near the North Unit must use existing roads.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park has campgrounds in the South Unit and North Unit.
See the Camping Page for more information.
| Individual Entry (Bike, Foot) | $ 5.00 (Seven Day Pass) |
| Private Non-commercial Vehicle | $ 10.00 (Seven Day Pass) |
| Annual Pass (Good one year from date of purchase) | $ 20.00 |
| Gold Access Passport (Blind or permanently disabled) | Free (Lifetime - good in all national parks) |
| Golden Age Passport (One time fee - for those 62+) | $ 10.00 (Lifetime - good in all national parks) |
| Golden Eagle Passport (Good one year from date of purchase) | $ 50.00 (Good in all national parks) |
Commerical Tour Fees: Bus (26+ capacity) - $150.00, small bus (16-25 capacity) - $60.00, Van (7-15 capacity) - $50.00, Sedan (1-6 passengers) - $25.00 + $5.00 per person.
Golden Access Passport
The Golden Access Passport is a free pass available to all permanent U.S. residents who are eligible to receive federal benefits based on disability, whether or not you are actually receiving them or not. This pass entitles the bearer, and immediate family or accompanying passengers in a private vehicle, to free admission to all U.S. National Parks, Monuments, Forests, and Historic Sites, as well as half price camping. Apply in person at any National Park Service or U.S. Forest Service area.
None available within the park; a variety of restaurants and grocery stores are available near the park or within a short drive.
There are many hikes in the South Unit and in the North Unit. See the Hiking Page for more information.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park is open to horse use. Visitors may bring their own horses or take rides with the park concessioner. The current trail ride operator in the park is Peaceful Valley Ranch/Shadow Country Outfitters. For more information on concessioner trail rides, contact them directly at: 701-623-4568.
See the Hiking Page for more information.
There is no lodging in the park. See the Lodging Page for more information.
There is camping in the park. See the Camping Page for more information.
Persons wishing to camp overnight in the backcountry must register and obtain a free backcountry use permit - entrance fees still apply.
See the Camping Page for more information.
Pets must be confined, tied or on a leash at all times. Pets are not permitted in the backcountry, including all park trails.
A full compliment of regularly scheduled programs including talks, evening campfire presentations, nature walks and long hikes are offered June - mid-September. Guided tours of Theodore Roosevelt's Maltese Cross Cabin in summer; self-guided during winter. Ski tours in winter may be offered if snow conditions permit. Educational programs for schools and groups may be scheduled throughout the year.
See the Activity Page for more information.
The badlands of North Dakota receives about 30 inches of snow a year. Snow can arrive in October and stay until April. The wind tends to blow the snow around quite a bit, leaving some areas bare and others drifted high.
The park does not groom any trails for cross-country skiing. Skiers blaze their own trails through the snow. The best places to cross-country ski are on the frozen Little Missouri River and on closed park roads.
Skiing on park trails can be somewhat difficult. The trails are narrow and many cross creek bottoms. These creek bottoms are like little canyons and may be too steep for safe skiing. They, and all coulees and draws, may also fill up with blowing snow hiding their true depth.
Also be aware of wildlife and keep a safe distance from bison (100 yards minimum).
Call the park for information on snow and river conditions.
Medora Visitor Center (South Unit)
Painted Canyon Visitor Center (South Unit)
North Unit Visitor Center
See the Calendar Page for more information.
Summers are warm with temperatures in the 80's and 90's with a few days into the 100's. Evenings can be cool. Average maximum: July is 87.1° and August is 86.7°. Average minimum: July 54.5° and August is 52.4°. Annual precipitation is 15 inches. Winters are generally cold. Recommend layers of clothing, especially in spring and fall. Rain gear in spring. Hat for sun protection is needed in summer.
See the Weather Page for current conditions, forecasts and other weather data.
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This site is in no way associated with the United States Government, the Department of the Interior or the National Park Service
