Finding Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Theodore Roosevelt National Park is located in the badlands of western North Dakota. The park is split into 3 separate units: South Unit, Elkhorn Ranch, and North Unit.

The park entrance fee -- good for seven days and at all Units -- is $10.00 per vehicle or $5.00 per person. Annual Park pass - $20. Golden Age, Golden Access, Golden Eagle and National Park Passes are honored. Commercial Tour Fees: Bus (26+ capacity) - $150, small bus (16-25 capacity) - $60, Van (7-15 capacity) - $50, Sedan (1-6 passengers) - $25 + $5 per person.

South Unit
The South Unit is 130 miles west of Bismarck, North Dakota and 24 miles east of the Montana state line. The entrance to this unit is located in Medora (exits 24 and 27 off Interstate 94).

The Medora Visitor Center is located at the entrance of the park and has a museum, theater and information desk. The visitor center is open daily except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. The staff can provide information about road and trail conditions and park activities.

The museum has personal items of Theodore Roosevelt, ranching artifacts and natural history displays. Roosevelt's Maltese Cross Cabin is located behind the visitor center and is open for tours. Ranger talks, movies, hikes, campfire programs, etc. also take place at the visitor center and out in the park. See Ranger Programs for dates, times, and more information.

A major feature of the South Unit is a paved, 36-mile, scenic loop road with interpretive signs that explain some of the park's historical and natural features. A "Road Log Guide" book that explains more is also available for sale at the visitor centers or on-line at the Park Bookstore.

South Unit Map and images from the scenic drive

Painted Canyon
When traveling west on I-94, your first introduction to the South Unit is the Painted Canyon Overlook (exit 32), about seven miles east of Medora. The name itself evokes an image of color and light playing across the face of a wild and broken land.Of the countless individuals who have stood transfixed at the canyon rim -- Native Americans, fur traders, a cavalry general, a man who would become the twenty-sixth President, naturalists, travelers, and writers -- all have tried to express the feeling of the moment. To many, the view has a quiet, haunting beauty. Wind and water still shape the canyons; light and shadows add depth and contrast to define their character. Following a rain, the landscape appears closer to the overlook, and the eye is greeted by a kaleidoscope of colors: pinks, reds, blacks, ochres, and greens. On cloudy days, grays and browns seem dull and cold. The golden glow of dawn gives way to harsh, shadow-seeking sun rays at midday. Evening introduces soft blue silhouettes, and purple shadows fade beneath a brilliant vault of stars.

These scenes and others like them are found throughout Theodore Roosevelt National Park. ...the images and thoughts that are discovered at Painted Canyon are an invitation to enjoy the magic of an ever-changing scene.

And then the late afternoon changed everything. As the sun angled, the buttes and coulees, the cliffs and sculptured hills and ravines lost their burned and dreadful look and glowed with yellow and rich browns and a hundred variations of red and silver gray, all picked out by streaks of coal black. It was so beautiful that I stopped near a thicket of dwarfed and wind-warped cedars and junipers, and once stopped I was caught, trapped in color and dazzled by the clarity of the light .. I can easily see how people are driven back to the Bad Lands.

In addition to the magnificent view, a visitor center, restrooms, picnic shelters, tables, and water are available April through October. A short walk provides access during winter when facilities are closed. You can sometimes see wild horses and elk in the distance and bison occasionally roam the visitor center grounds.

Elkhorn Ranch Unit
The Elkhorn Ranch Site, which was the location of Roosevelt's principal home in the badlands, is located 35 miles north of the Medora Visitor Center. The ranch buildings no longer exist but interpretive signs tell where the house and outbuildings were. Ask at the visitor center for access information before going to the site. Learn more about the Elkhorn Ranch and its history.

The North Unit Visitor Center is at the park entrance and has an information desk, movie, and exhibits. The staff can provide information about road and trail conditions and park activities. Also see Ranger Programs. The visitor center is open daily except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.

Take the time to drive the 14-mile Scenic Drive that goes from the entrance station to the Oxbow Overlook, with turnouts and interpretive signs along the way. As you go along the drive, you will come to a number of trail heads (hiking). Some are self-guiding nature trails that have interpretive brochures to help you learn more about the park. Take time to get to know the park. A "Road Log Guide" is available for sale at the park visitor centers and on line at the Park Bookstore.

North Unit Map

Area Attractions