Theodore Roosevelt National Park

It was a very good place! Would recommend it!

As a National Park lover, visiting Theodore Roosevelt National Park was of course a highlight of my travels! I went out of my way to experience this gem while roadtripping from Los Angeles to Buffalo, New York, and it was totally worth it as it was my 59th National Park - only four more to go!!! I can't believe I waited so long to visit! I arrived in mid-to-late June 2024, and to my surprise, the park was incredibly green and lush, offering dramatic views at nearly every scenic overlook. Right from the entrance (after snapping the obligatory photo at the sign and stopping by the visitor center) I was greeted by none other than a bison! It was an unreal experience that set the tone for my visit. So many pictures, so many videos! As I explored the park, I encountered herds of bison, each sighting leaving me mesmerized. I made the most of my time despite some rainy weather, hiking several trails and driving the scenic loops in both the North and South Units. While I wish I could have made it to Roosevelt's old cabin, I decided against it due to the unmaintained roads in the wet conditions. I remember the River Bend Overlook Trail, Boicourt Trail, Buck Hill Trail, and definitely the Bentonitic Clay as being fantastic as I focused on shorter hikes to maximize my experience. I also adored the prairie dogs, despite their noisy antics! This park is truly phenomenal, and I feel bad for those who overlook its beauty. It's worth dedicating at least half a day, if not a full day, to explore both units. Whether you're there for the wildlife, stunning landscapes, or rich history, Theodore Roosevelt National Park is a must-see! In fact, every National Park is ;)

I really enjoyed my time at Theodore Roosevelt National Park! It's smaller than many others, and you could easily explore most of the entire South Unit in one day. I think they did a nice job making it drivable, with plenty of pull offs for trails, hiking, and photos. And if you're hoping to see wildlife, this park is great for spotting prairie dogs and bison. I stayed in nearby Dickinson, roughly 30 minutes from the South Unit and 75 minutes from the north. Logistically, I'd recommend it! Even though this park is a little out of the way, I think it's well worth a visit.

Honoring a U.S. President [Medora ND] TD National Park was our main visit to the Great State of North Dakota which makes North Dakota our 38th state visited. The park is made up of three sections. We came from I-94 near Medora entering from the South Unit which is the largest of the three. VISITOR CENTER (South Unit): First thing's first. We headed to the Visitor Center and got my NP Passport stamped. We watched a short film inside their small theater. This gave us a little background on Roosevelt and his ranching days. We then proceeded on our self-guided scenic drive. The park is huge covering a total of 70,446 acres of land. The scenic loop in the South Unit is about 36 miles roundtrip. HIKING TRAILS: We stopped and viewed the scenery at the Peaceful Valley Ranch and also followed a short 0.4 loop trail at Wind Canyon Trail. This trail is along the edge of a high bluff overlooking the Little Missouri River. WILDLIFE SIGHTINGS: The best experience was seeing wildlife. We were able to see prairie dogs (lots of them), feral horses and a bison. Respect all wildlife. The park is their home. "I have always said I never would have been President if it had not been for my experiences in North Dakota." ~Theodore Roosevelt, 1918 Review #3500

This is actually a pretty amazing park. Where else are you gonna go to see buffalo, horses AND an insane amount of prarie dogs all in one place? Lots of normal national park stuff available. Camping, hiking, pics of really old things whether naturally formed or man made. Full service ranger stations with good selections of souvenirs. All the things you'd expect from any national park. One thing to note is that there are separate entrances for the northern and southern sections of the park and that those entrances do not connect. Make time and visit both sides for sure. If you start at the northern side, when you leave it'll take about an hour to get to the south entrance...but because of a change in time zone between the 2...you won't lose any time. Crazy. If you're into national parks this one should definitely be on your list. I visited in summer, (July) and it was temperate and amazing. Like all national parks, entrance can be gained with an America The Beautiful Pass, (get the pass), and you should always check the national park site for alerts about road conditions and closures etc. Now get down there and see some prarie dogs.

Visiting from Virginia we didn't really know what to expect but we were blown away by this park. The scenery is spectacular and all of the animals were a great bonus. All of the staff we encountered were helpful and friendly. The pictures don't do the park justice. Definitely something everyone should see.

While in Fargo, ND I was hesitant making the long drive along I-94 to TRNP. It's about a four and a half hour drive. I believe it was an hour and forty minutes when I visited North Dakota over Memorial Day weekend. I'm so glad that I talked myself into going to TRNP. It was well worth the trip! If you're thinking about going, just do it! I love the cute town of Medora at the south entrance to TRNP. Park fee entrance is about $30 so plan accordingly if you're on a budget. The park entrance is FREE for military veterans. I forgot my military veteran park pass when visiting. They let me in without it as I had proof of veteran status. I'm glad that they didn't give me a hard time without my actual veteran park pass. Kudos to the park ranger for being understanding and professional with me. I saw a lot of wonderful things during my visit to TRNP. It was great to see the buffalo and wild horses. Do not forget to stop at the visitor's center before venturing too far into the park. There are interesting things to see along with a gift shop for those souvenir purchases. They also feature a 17 minute documentary about TRNP. I recommend watching it. Also, make sure that you have plenty of water with you. Stay hydrated! They do sell small quantities of cold water in their beverage cooler. However, this could get pricy. Filling up with ice and water at your hotel or at a local convenience store would be a better option. My only regret when visiting the park was lack of time. Father Time is never on our side... However, I feel so fortunate to have visited and to actually set foot in the park. There are many places to pull over after driving the main road to take pictures, stretch your legs and go for a walk. This is also a nice park to pack a picnic basket or cooler. So many places to break for lunch. Also, bring sunscreen and wear a hat. There really aren't any shaded places. My favorite highlights of the park were the buffalo, wild horses and stunning views. I can see how this park changed Theodore Roosevelt's life. It may change yours as well, if you allow it, of course. I would visit TRNP again. If I lived in ND, I would definitely make several visits here. Also, take some time to explore the town of Medora as well. Enjoy your park visit and be safe!

This is one of my favorite National Parks. Even though there was no civilization for a while, It was definitely worth to look at the beautiful landscape and scenery. Let me tell you guys about the animals. On the way out of the National park, there was a herd of cows surrounding our car with them mooing all over the place, I mean how awesome is that, wildlife surrounding our car for about 20-30 minutes. We also saw a ton of Buffalo too with them resting on the plains just chilling. Let me tell ya'll that this is usually a one and done time because Theodore National Park is not as big as a National Park like Yellowstone but it is a cool National Park. I would recommend this Park to explore. Also this place is known for not Teddy Roosevelt but also Prairie Dogs too.

I had a great experience at this amazing national park in the badlands. Got to experience beautiful views and capture some nice wildlife. Lots of opportunities for hiking. Caught a breathtaking sunset on top of a butte and was treated to some wild horses grazing in the foreground. It's not a park that's get spoken about much but definitely recommend giving it a visit. Staying in Medora is a great base for the south end of the park. One day should be enough to get the full experience as well.

What a great way to pass the day! We're in Bismarck for a wedding, but decided to make the (just under 2hr) trip to TR National Park. The park exits are for North and South ends of the park. We missed the exit for the North side, but loved the South end, so no regrets! We arrived a little before 9am, and chose to do the scenic drive and pull off in a few spots to do some hiking. Glad we arrived early, we definitely noticed an uptick in people later in the morning. The scenery is amazing; so many shades of greens and the buttes were gorgeous! We saw bison, prairie dogs, birds, a snake, and thousands (literally thousands) of grasshoppers. Like if you hate grasshoppers, this is not your park! Loved it, and would definitely go back.

We are camping at Cottonwood Campground in Theodore Roosevelt National Park. We have been having a wonderful time. I recommend the Visitor Center be your first stop so you can plan your time here. The park is big and there are many trails and scenic drives to take. The loop, unfortunately, was closed for a better part of it but we drove all the places we could. The scenery is breathtaking and the wildlife is abundant.

What a wonderful park. It is off the beaten path, and well worth the visit. Stunning scenery. Medora was a good place for base camp to explore the park.

I really liked this place because the staff is great and the views are amazing!I would also recommend going to see the sunset and make sure you do it when you have a whole day.

I always rate our National Parks as 5 stars, and TRNP is no different. It takes some real effort to get here, but once you do you are greeted with stunning views that combine the starkness of the Badlands with the greenery of The Black Hills. We had lots of fun driving the 2 units (South is most popular and largest, but North is worth the drive if you have the time) and looking for bison and feral horses - a unique and extremely western combination! You can also easily spend hours watching the prairie dog towns laughing at their antics. Would recommend staying in nearby Medora if you can; it is touristy but cute and convenient, or if you are looking for chain motels, head to Dickinson, about 30min away.

Beautiful and underrated park. I loved exploring the park, even if I didn't get to stay for very long. We checked out a prairie dog town (so cute) and checked out an overlook. At the overlook, we were surprised to find a bison napping in the shade just around a bend, about ten feet away from us. Luckily the bison didn't mind us much, and we gave it lots of space. But it was really cool to see a bison so close. I wish I had more time so I could explore the park some more, but I really enjoyed the amount of time I did get to spend there.

The staff is a little bit awnry, they are like robots , no one knew when the last sighting of the animals , their campground bathrooms are clean at least this review is for the north side .

National Parks are always a 5* Never met one I haven't loved. I can check this one off my list. Great rangers and staff at the visitors center were top-notch as usual. Thanks.

One of the most underrated National Parks, IMHO. I visited on the 21st of 2020 and it was the least crowded with the most wild animal sightings. You don't need to worry about bears here (but don't quote me!) like you would in Yellowstone, Glacier or the Tetons -- but bisons are certainly plentiful. I did a 10 mile hike from the Big Plateau Trail, which featured a crossing of the Little Missouri River. It wasn't the most pleasant thing to take hiking shoes off and get into freezing muddy river water where animals probably poop daily at 7am to start the day, but it definitely welcomes you into the wilderness. From there, a left along the Petrified Forest Trail brought me into bison territory with large herds...looking at me, with one even stepping forward toward me like he meant business. It was a little frightful, but overall - no one charged at me, so I'm grateful. It was so beautiful to see these sights! Another left takes you on the Lone Spring Loop Trail which featured prairie dog country (so many of them), which love to squeak at you before they run into their little holes. A cute sight honestly. Encountered at least one more bison on the way. The Ekbolm Trail took me out back to cross the Little Missouri once again (stubbed my toes on those rocks, be careful!) back to the parking lot. The 10 mile loop was about 3 hours of walking time or about 3.5 hours with the breaks and stops. Aside from that hike, just driving around the park will leave you full of scenery. There's shorter, but beautiful hikes like the Bolcourt Overlook Trail (0.8mi), Buck Hill Trail and more. Along the road into the park, even though there were closures, I encountered plenty of bison, prairie dogs and even wild horses which was the highlight for me. Just a note that horse rides through the park are only available on weekends after labor day - call the reservations line for the town of Medora for more details. The town of Medora has the nearest entrance to the park and it's a small unassuming little village. Overall, as far as National Parks go, don't overlook the one named after the man who founded the National Park System.

On our annual cross country road trips to and through North Dakota, we always make a point to visit this park. The rolling wildflower-covered grasslands struck against the blue skies, all scrubbed clean with brisk winds, are a sight to behold. A small visitor center shows some history of Teddy Roosevelt's time here in this little corner of North Dakota... but beyond that, the whole park is essentially undeveloped and natural. While most of the park can be enjoyed from your car, it is worth it to park and enjoy a hike through the prairie wilds.... or at least get out of your car at a few overlooks and take in the views. Wildlife here ranges from buzzing insects and prairie dogs to massive bison and wild horses. There's a quiet here that is good for your soul. At night, you can enjoy a lightning storm or one of the best views of the stars anywhere. Like most national parks, photos help, but don't do it justice.

Spectacular canyon scenery. Beautiful subtle colors along the cliff faces. Temperatures can be at either extreme so plan accordingly. A National Park in any real country is 5 stars by definition. They are not supposed to have a Ritz Carlton along the trails or have ADA-compliant cliffs and waterfalls. This park is no exception. Keep that in mind when visiting.

This is my second time visiting this National Park and will always be on my must-see list when I am in the area. It has one of the most scenic drives in the country. Lots of wildlife viewing in the area and excellent geological features to explore. I highly recommend taking your time while driving through the park, not only so you can enjoy yourself, but also so you don't run over the prairie dogs that are all over the place.

Buffalo (okay, bison) for days! Having been to the park many times, we saw more bison today than we have ever seen. Of course whether you will see bison and how many is pretty serendipitous, but there were so many calves, I'm taking that as a good sign. We also saw wild horses, deer, elk, and of course the ubiquitous prairie dogs. Of course the views and vistas in the park are always wonderful, and there are several short hiking trails (and a couple of longer ones). A short hike I strongly recommend is the one to the old East Entrance of the park. It's not only an easy hike through a prairie dog town, but a step back in history. Sadly there was some road damage that still has not been repaired, so (as of June 2020) you can't drive the loop road in the park. You have to drive about 2/3 of the way around and then backtrack.

My son and I did the scenic drive of the South Unit on the tail end of a road trip after visiting Badlands SD, and Yellowstone. We entered through the south entrance after 5p with no Ranger around. They had a honor box for the park entrance fee but we had already purchased the annual pass earlier in the trip. The park has several overlooks, numerous pullouts along with many inclines, switchbacks and tight roadways. There are several prairie dog towns throughout the park for up close and personal viewing. Be careful, because they run across the road and stand right next to it. Bison were plentiful and we had a few bison traffic jams. The rock formations and colors were nice but not as vibrant as Badlands, SD. The scenic loop is no longer a loop but is an up and back 48 mile trip. Please remember to use the pullouts for faster vehicle to get by. The only restrooms I saw were at the visitor center. I believe the camp grounds were closed because of the China virus. I enjoyed the wildlife and the views but had to rate it down one star because I felt Badlands SD were better. Sorry North Dakota.

Stopped here Labor Day weekend Friday. Cost is $30 a vehicle but good for 7 days. Went to visitor center, since its a federal building, masks were required inside regardless of vaccinated status. Watched a short video of the park. Bought a cute bison sweatshirt and bison headband. Then drove around 36 miles round trip. Saw Prairie dogs, a coyote and bison. The bison were next to car so it was exciting to snap pictures quickly on my phone. Of course you get the inconsiderate drivers who stop on the road. There are places to pull over to take pictures. It was kinda rainy on Friday. Beautiful place, I returned here from my youth.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park is one of my favorites. It's not the biggest. It doesn't have the longest trails. It doesn't have the highest mountains. But there is something about it that I find so peaceful yet so incredible. One thing that I really like about it is that there is hardly anyone there. You're not going to run into a whole lot of people, and that is such a beautiful contrast to some of the more well known parks. The other part I love about the park is that it has a great balance of views and animals. When you go you're going to have some great views. And when you go you're going to see animals. And if you have kids, that balance is so wonderful. I recommend stopping on at least two trails. The first would be Wild Canyon and the second would be Boicourt. Neither are particularly strenuous or long (I'm not aware of any really long trails in the park), but both offer great views with a good chance of animal sightings. If you're anywhere near western North Dakota, plan to stop. It's a fantastic park named for one of our greatest Presidents.

I am originally from North Dakota, but don't live there anymore. People always ask if North Dakota is worth visiting and they have no idea how beautiful it can be. The scenery is amazing, I saw bison at least three times, and it wasn't very busy when I was there in the fall. Definitely recommend checking it out if you're in the area.

Visited the Theodore Roosevelt National Park during a road trip. At the time, I didn't realize there was a North and South Unit to explore. These units are a bit of a drive apart, so we decided to visit the North Unit because it was along our route. We were shocked to find that the North Unit was not very busy the day we arrived and it felt like we had the entire park to ourselves (although there were other people). We stayed at the campground in the park, which was very clean. We then drove through the park, which is only a short drive through the entire North Unit, but well worth it to see the prairie dogs and other wildlife visible. We stopped along the drive and had dinner at one of the overlooks with a wonderful view to accommodate. This was a wonderful National Park to visit and well worth the extra drive to get to the North Unit.

Bravo. Thank you Mr President and the state of North Dakota. This National park has two separate units which are about 50ish miles apart. Got to both. We had two bison walk along side our car. Nice little walking trails to get out and stretch your legs.

6/8/2023 One of the most beautiful National Parks we've visited, bar none. The scenery beats Badlands NP by a mile! The colors are beautiful and vibrant on the cliff sides and plateaus. All shades of green in the grasses and bushes. We saw bison, prairie dogs, and a herd of wild horses against the hillsides and all along the road. A short hike may have revealed even more critters. TRNP is fantastic, plan several hours there.

Be aware because of the rains the roads are being worked on and you can and will sit there for 30 minutes or so waiting to pass and see the whole park . This truly beautiful and I can see why it's preserved it's an experience everyone needs to do at least once . Lovely rangers great history with Teddies cabin ; and the wildlife is why you need to make a trip .

Just and amazing part of this country. The views overlooking the river with the wild flowers in bloom were spectacular. We did a few hikes and did some mountain biking just on the border of the park (Maah Daah Hey Trail) which were great. We stayed in Medora which is a fun town (loved the Medora Musical). Overall TRNP is awesome and worth the trip.

Theodore Roosevelt was a must stop for us on our drive through North Dakota. Our original plan was only to come to the south unit, but at the Painted Canyon visitors center they told us that the north unit had more impressive views, so we went there first. We still came to the south unit though. There's a $30 entrance fee. The entrance is right off the highway. There's a 36 mile scenic drive that we did part of. Unfortunately, the end of the loop was closed, so if you did the whole thing that was open, you would have to turn around and drive back. There are a lot of overlooks to stop at along the way. We ended up only doing a very small portion of the drive. We got to see several prairie dog towns which were awesome and you couldn't see at the north unit. The views were pretty, but just not nearly as good as they were at the north unit. I think it's still worth stopping by, but definitely make time for the north unit too.

This park is beautiful, but having been to 34 other parks ... not the most stunning in my opinion. It's all about your perspective. If this was one of the first national parks I had seen? I would have been blown away. I went to both the north and south units. I thought the south was enough (and better than the north ... do not waste time going the extra hour one way up there). Here were the highlights: 1) bison! Literally one almost walked into my passenger door. There was a big herd rolling in dirt (insects?) 2) prairie dog towns everywhere ... cutest little things making noises all over the field 3) views of the little mo river 4) cannonball rocks were super cool. The painted walls were cool too, but I had just seen them at the Badlands the day before ... again my perspective is skewed. Check it out, North Dakota!

This is a great park, as are most national parks. We had a nice pull-through site in the campground but units larger than our 30 ft 5th wheel might had trouble with trees brushing your unit. Occasionally a buffalo might wander into the campground, one walked right through our site so be very aware and safe. Also there is A LOT of horse poop all around the campground that you and the dogs need to try and avoid. I guess there are wild horses that come through at times, I hope it is not the campers from the horse site as that would be especially rude. If you have the lifetime senior pass, park entrance is free and a camp site is only $7! $14 for non-seniors so still a great price. Medora seems like a quaint town, wish I had had time to explore it a little. They had added some nice new bathrooms to the campground. If you go on a drive of the north unit and the south unit you will see some more buffalo and some cool rock formations.

Our trip here was definitely impacted by the smoke haze (July) and road closures. We visited the south unit of the park The loop road in park was no longer a loop but out and back because part of it washed out. But the silver lining was that in our back out we saw another pack of wild horses!! Those were the best mostly because I just don't have the opportunity to see them. Of course there was bison too. This park has more stark beauty than lush green beauty. If you are going to visit the park I suggest staying in Medora. DO NOT stay in Wibaux. Only 1 hotel there and it is scary.

Visited late in the afternoon around 4pm until late evening in early August. There weren't that many wildlife during the afternoon aside from the prairie dogs and rattlesnakes on the road, but plenty of wildlife as soon as the sunsets. Be careful when driving at night as there were plenty of feral horses, porcupines, jackrabbits, and rattlesnakes on the road. Hard to see when there's no light out (aside from your high beams) and bug residue on your windshield. For night photography, the parking at Coal Vein Trail was perfect for it as there was very little light pollution. For sunset photography, Wind Canyon Trail has great scenery for this. A section of the scenic drive was closed off when I was there, so you'll need to loop back when you get to the end of the trail. Best time to view Bison is early in the morning just before 7:30am as that's when they start to migrate across the prairie dog plains. Please drive slowly as there were a number of prairie dogs that were run over on the road (not by me).

This has to be one of the most underrated national parks. We were able to get one of the last two spots at the walk-in campground and it is in the perfect location. We went to the scenic Valley for sunset and it was one of the most beautiful landscapes I've ever seen. Make sure to check out the prairie dog fields and keep your eye out for bison herds!

Why the three stars for me at the is National Park: it's not because the bad lands are not cool, they are, it's just that for me this park is a one and done. It'a hot and the landscape doesn't change much. It didn't take my breath away. There were moments I thought this is pretty cool but not that "Glacier National Park" or The Redwoods" moment that I say: this place just doesn't get old. I'm not feeling that same sentiment here.

Beautiful scenic badlands! We saw prairie dogs, wild horses, and bison everywhere. It's a small national park but worth going to if you're in the area.

This is a beautiful park to visit if you're driving through North Dakota. There is a lot of history to learn, not very many people, and plenty of bison, deer, and pronghorn to be seen. I highly recommend this national park!

What a fabulous way to spend an evening. After fleeing our Airbnb in NW Montana due to hazardous smoke from the PAC wildfires, we chose to head East. One unscripted stop was this absolute gem of a park. The evening started with prairie dogs, I really think the USNPs 'plant' these critters at the entrance to their parks to set the mood and get everyone giggling. Next a quick stop at Wind canyon and a brief stretch to see the views and of course the deer drinking from the river below. Next we round a corner and lo and behold the largest bison on our left, munchin and a crunchin not 4-5 ft from my husband's door. He took the pics (which were originally live and you could actually hear the massive beast enjoying his supper) - yep this close. Obviously we didn't get out of the car and as soon as we took a couple of pics, moved on. Well truthfully, he raised his head and took a step toward us and that was all it took. :p Next we rounded the corner and there was a huge herd of them lounging around on both sides of the road and a few causing a traffic jam. We politely waited our turn. I could go on and on about the deer, the wild horses (although not close enough for good pics) but prancing around nonetheless and the terrain with it's diverse strata and wide ranging colors, but this review would never end. If you have a spare 2-3 hours, this is the place to spend it.

A beautiful drive with lots of buffalo, wild horses, elk, and gorgeous views. Many short hikes with great vista views. We've been returning almost every year since the late 1960's, wouldn't miss it.

After seeing Glacier and Yellowstone I felt spoiled and thought nothing could impress me anymore. This park definitely left a memorable impression, not quite the same as the above two parks, but great in its own way - astonishing views at dusk and quite a few animals roaming around (not counting endless prairie dogs). The park has a loop road with a few stops to enjoy scenery. My personal favorite was the Little Missouri River overlook with its canyon. Can't beat the views when the sun goes down. In addition, you can check out Maltese Cross cabin in the park where Theodore Roosevelt spent some time.

We are fortunate enough to live just a few hours away. Perfect for a weekend run in the RV to get in touch with nature and play with the cameras a bit... or ride the bike out for a day. This is a small park by comparison to others we have been to. That can be good or bad, depending on your view. I personally find it easy to find solitide since it isn't all that busy. I also love the variety of wildlife and the gorgeous sunsets are not to be missed. I'm not sure that I would travel a long distance without something else to do in the area, unless you are an avid hiker or would enjoy the township (look up Medora Musical)...

The Theodore Roosevelt National Park is a reminder that we have many wonderful places in the United States. It's a remote, out of the way National Park that takes a good deal of travel just to reach. That's part of the charm. Given the vagaries of Covid, just right now remoteness is an asset. The Park is busy but not overwhelmed with visitors. Social distancing is easy to manage. Don't overlook the north unit of the Park. It's separate from the south unit - the two tracts are about 60 miles apart. The north unit blends badlands with grassland. Because there are very few visitors, the north unit gives many more chances to see bison, elk, mule deer and wild mustangs. We watched a herd of mustangs as they grazed in the grassland. The sight felt absolutely timeless.

There's not much at this national park compared to other ones, however it was still very pretty and relaxing. We were planning on going to the north unit right away however there was a problem on the bridge and ended up having to drive all the way around to get into the north unit. So we drove through the south unit first, hitting the major highlights, and then ended up in the north unit where we backcountry hiked the Achenbach Loop. It was an 18 mile hike that we did over 2 days! It was difficult with the heat but so worth it. You will need to cross a river so bring additional shoes. I would also recommend setting up camp near the plains as it can get quite windy at night. It gets extremely hot so make sure you have sufficient water with wherever you are & I would recommend starting your hike later in the evening or early morning when it's less hot. Enjoy!

Was here this past summer for several days. It's a pretty unique landscape and the Badlands in general are a pretty cool area to be in. Was here in June and grass was surprisingly green considering there was a pretty bad drought going on. Unlike many others who have posted here I actually prefer the north unit to the south unit. There is a certain type of solitude and the bluffs are a little bit higher making for prettier photographs in my opinion and just was an amazing place to hiking. Is this my absolute favorite national park? Not really but I do think it has a unique landscape and it's usually not that crowded so you get a pretty quiet park generally, in a cute town, and the hiking opportunities are pretty top-notch. Would love to have the opportunity to either canoe or kayak in the river and maybe I'll get to do that someday. This is one of these parks that is pretty well set up in terms of the tourist areas and where you drive to but there are some areas that are really neat to walk. I think I got the most out of this by showing up at the park early morning getting in a little bit after sunrise and just kind of really enjoying being there in the cool even in the summer. Only saw a few other people and saw some animals around.

Right at the Medora entrance of Theodore Roosevelt National Park you can see the single building that played a major role in Roosevelts life. That building in the Maltese Cross Cabin. Theodore Roosevelt lived here for a year only leaving after hearing that his wife and mother died hours apart. That was the beginning of his depression which he had to conquer before becoming president. Today some of Theodores personal items are in the cabin while most are general items which were common at the time.   Theodore Roosevelt National Park is very much built on erosion via water. At Wind Canyon Trail you can walk a mere half mile to see both the Little Missouri River and the badlands it has created.   If you want to see heavy contrast between land covered with grass and land totally barren you should check out Buck Hill Overlook Trail which is 0.4 miles long and gives you a view of a part of Theodore Roosevelt National Park that is pretty far down. This overlook is truly beautiful.  Badlands Overlook is impressive. It really reflects what the badlands have to offer and highlights them. Here you can see badlands for miles with seemingly no end.

We spent a full day in each unit of the park. You can certainly blow through both in one day but we took a leisurely pace. Given how surprisingly crowded the parks in SD and Devils Town in Wyoming were it was nice to see less people and more animals. We did most of the short hikes in the South Unit. We liked the hike that included the brochure describing the underground coal fire - very informative and it really added a lot to our walk. The walk to the former East entrance was also interesting especially since it went through a prairie dog town. One plus is the visitor center in the south was open (but not in the north unit). The loop road in the south is no longer a loop but an out and back. We did see some of the feral horses so that was fun. The north unit is even quieter than the south unit. We did a great hike the Capstone Coulee hike a bit over 4 miles. The 14 mile drive was beautiful and we did see some bison. We picnicked at the end of the drive with a great view. Definitely a park to visit and worth the drive from SD!

I like and appreciate all parks but this one was rather a disappointment. I was expecting something along the lines of the John Day Fossil Beds painted desert. This parks painted desert is pretty much monochrome. Not the park services fault, of course.... but the hour drive through the place didn't get me any stunning pictures at all. Lots of wildlife. Mustangs and bison, mostly. Not a whole lot of people there. I dunno is that's because of the scamdemic or just the remoteness of the location. It's right off the Interstate but it's in the boondocks of North Dakota. There are quite a few hiking trails ad I'm guessing you get to see a lot of wildlife while hiking them. The park is OK but I don't know that I'd make a second trip here.