News Release

Theodore Roosevelt National Park is Opening the South Unit Visitor Center in Medora on July 1st

Date: June 29, 2020
Contact: Grant Geis, 701-623-4466

MEDORA, North Dakota– Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, Theodore Roosevelt National Park is increasing recreational access and services. The National Park Service (NPS) is working servicewide with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and using a phased approach to increase access on a park-by-park basis.

Beginning July 1, Theodore Roosevelt National Park will reopen the South Unit Visitor Center in Medora for information services and bookstore sales. The North Unit, South Unit, and Elkhorn Ranch Units are all open for recreational access.

Additionally, the following facilities and spaces are open and accessible:
 

• All trails and trailheads
• All picnic areas
• All toilet facilities
• Backcountry camping (permit available on park website)
• All North and South Unit roads with the exception of road failure section (see park website)

With public health in mind, the following facilities remain closed at this time:
 

• North Unit Juniper Campground and group sites
• North Unit Contact Station
• Painted Canyon Visitor Center
• South Unit Cottonwood Campground and group sites
• Roundup Horse Camp group site

The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners continues to be paramount. At Theodore Roosevelt National Park, our operational approach will be to regularly examine and monitor each facility function and service provided to ensure those operations comply with current public health guidance. We continue to work closely with the NPS Office of Public Health using CDC guidance to ensure public and workspaces are safe and clean for visitors, employees, partners, and volunteers.

While most park areas are accessible for visitors to enjoy, a return to full operations will continue to be phased and services may be limited. When recreating, the public should follow local area health orders, practice Leave No Trace principles, avoid crowding and avoid high-risk outdoor activities.

The CDC has offered guidance to help people recreating in parks and open spaces prevent the spread of infectious diseases. We will continue to monitor all park functions to ensure that visitors adhere to CDC guidance for mitigating risks associated with the transmission of COVID-19 and take any additional steps necessary to protect public health.

Details and updates on park operations will continue to be posted on our website www.nps.gov/thro and social media channels. Updates about NPS operations will be posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus.