How long does it take to drive through theodore roosevelt national park

Theodore Roosevelt National Park is a ruggedly, beautiful national park that I had been wanting to visit for years. But due to its off the beaten path location, it was only this past year that my family and I were finally able to visit and go on this amazing adventure. Being located in the western portion of North Dakota, this remote national park quickly stole my heart with its completely wild, yet incredibly peaceful atmosphere.

THEODORE ROOSEVELT NATIONAL PARK IMPORTANCE

Theodore Roosevelt National Park sits on the land where Theodore Roosevelt lived before becoming America’s 26th president. But even more important, it was this land that inspired Roosevelt to fight to protect America’s beautiful wilderness and its incredible wildlife; to save them before they were gone. And for this I am forever grateful.

Theodore Roosevelt’s experience here in North Dakota, lead him to establish the National Forest Service and designate more than 230 million acres of land as national parks, forests, monuments and wildlife reserves during his presidency. Awe-inspiring sites such as Yosemite, Devils Tower, Crater Lake, Mesa Verde, Muir Woods, the Grand Canyon and so many more, owe their preservation to Theodore Roosevelt. It was his foresight to preserve these magnificent places so that all could enjoy them for generations to come. The land at Theodore Roosevelt National Park was the land that inspired this incredible vision. And this was the land that I just had to see.

THEODORE ROOSEVELT NATIONAL PARK: WHERE TO GO

Theodore Roosevelt National Park is comprised of three separate areas:

• The South Unit
  • Located conveniently just off I-94 and by the town of Medora, ND.
  • This is the most frequently visited sectionwhere visitors can drive the 36-mile Scenic Drive, find multiple hiking trails, visit 2 separate Visitor Centers right of I-94, see lots of wildlife, go camping and more.
• The North Unit
  • This unit is separated from the South Unit and lies about a 1 hour drive north (one-way) of Medora, ND and I-94.
  • In this section you can enjoy a 14-mile one-way scenic drive, several hiking trails, lots of wildlife, camping and an incredibly remote atmosphere.
• Elkhorn Ranch Unit
  • This is also about a 1 hour drive from Medora, ND, but down more rugged and remote roads. Please note that the last 3 miles of this route sometimes requires 4-wheel drive or a high clearance vehicle. There is also no cell phone signal along most of this route or at the ranch itself.
  • This unit preserves the place that Theodore Roosevelt himself selected to be his “home ranch” when he lived here.

THE SOUTH UNIT

The South Unit is the largest and most visited section of the Park. The South Unit section itself is comprised of three distinct areas.

• The 36 Mile Scenic Drive – with convenient access from the western-styled town of Medora, ND and I-94, this beautiful drive takes you through the heart of the South Unit.
  • Along this scenic drive, find fun family-friendly hikes, impressive overlooks and the chance to spot lots of wildlife.
  • This is the top thing to do in Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
  • Driver Note: The 36 Mile Drive has a long-term closure between miles 24-28 due to road erosion, so this cannot be driven as a loop. When you enter from the south, the road will take you clockwise around the circle. (You cannot drive counterclockwise due to it being blocked off.) On this scenic drive you can drive all the way to the North Dakota Badlands Overlook and then you’ll have to turn around and make your way back.
• Painted Canyon lies right off I-94 on the east side of the South Unit.
  • There is a visitor center here as well as some hiking trails and a beautiful overlook.
  • This section can be just a brief 15 minute stop at the overlook or a 1 hour adventure if you include a hike on the Painted Canyon Nature Trail.
• The Petrified Forest lies in the remote northwest side of the South Unit.
  • To reach this section you’ll need to travel on a gravel road.
  • Here you can view ancient petrified logs and really get into the badlands wilderness. This is also a great spot to see wildlife.

Now that you are a little more orientated with Theodore Roosevelt National Park, let me share with you 10 amazing things for you and your family to do while visiting the South Unit.

10 AMAZING THINGS TO DO IN THEODORE ROOSEVELT NATIONAL PARK (SOUTH UNIT)

1. THEODORE ROOSEVELT’S MALTESE CROSS CABIN

Immediately after you enter into Theodore Roosevelt National Park, and pay the $30 vehicle entrance fee, you’ll find the Visitor Center & the Maltese Cross Cabin on your left. 

Read More: Discover the Free 4th Grade National Park Pass (+ 7 more ways to Save)

This makes for a perfect first stop to get orientated to this inspirational park before you set off on the 36-Mile Scenic Drive.

From the parking lot, you’ll be able to see the outside of the Maltese Cross Cabin. But to enter into it, you’ll need to go through the visitor center and exit out the back door.

The Maltese Cross Cabin was Theodore Roosevelt’s home, while in his mid-20s, where he divided his time between New York City and his two ranches in the Dakota Territories.

In 1883, Roosevelt was inspired to invest $14,000 in the Maltese Cross Ranch after just a 2 week trip to this area. He had this cabin built for him at this time.

In 1884, Theodore Roosevelt unfortunately lost both his wife and his mother in a single day. While grieving, he turned his focus to ranching in North Dakota. During this time he established the Elkhorn Ranch as well. This is 35 miles north of Medora, ND.

Inside the Maltese Cross Cabin, you can almost feel what Theodore Roosevelt’s life must have been like while he lived out here on his ranch. Books, letters and furnishings all arranged as they might have been. And to know, that it was here, where Roosevelt was inspired to conserve America’s lands and wildlife is truly moving. It was here that his view of the world changed and consequently changed the world we live in today.

In fact, Roosevelt was later quoted as saying, “I would not have been president had it not been for my experience in North Dakota.”

This is such a powerful statement. And to see the cabin where he lived during this turning point in his life and this turning point in our country, is very moving.

THE 36-MILE SCENIC DRIVE

Most of the top things to do in the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park lie along the 36-Mile Scenic Drive. (This drive itself is the absolute top thing to do in the South Unit.) Beginning shortly after the visitor center, the 36-Mile Scenic Drive takes you into the heart of the park’s South Unit.

Originally this used to be a loop drive that was 36 miles, hence the name, but due to road erosion, the section between mile markers 24-28 of this loop has been closed, making this drive more like a 50 mile out-and-back drive. 

To drive this scenic road, you will be directed to drive clockwise around what would have been the loop. Then you will need to turn around at the North Dakota Badlands Overlook and drive this same road back out. Please take this into consideration when planning your time at this park.

2. CHECK OUT THE PRAIRIE DOG TOWNS

One of the first things you’ll probably see when you enter Theodore Roosevelt National Park is one of the many prairie dog towns that line the roadside. Use the convenient pull-outs along the way to take a moment and admire them as they pop their heads up out of their holes to take a look around. Listen for their cute, little yips as they call to each other. And watch them scurry across the ground, diving into and out of various holes that lay all over the ground of their town.

This is a great activity for families too. Our kids loved watching these prairie dogs scurry around. They are so cute and even sometimes funny to watch as they tumble into and out of their holes.

3. LOOK FOR BISON

Bison seem to be everywhere in Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The picture above was of the first bison we saw in the park. And he was standing in the first prairie dog town we came to!

(Do you see the prairie dog standing on its hind legs to the right and back of it?) 

So keep a look out, because bison (and prairie dogs) can be anywhere.

Bison will also sometimes be right alongside the road or in the road itself. 

Please remember that they are wild animals and to always view them from a safe distance.

Fun Bison Facts:

• Bison are the largest mammals in North America.
• Bison can run up to 35mph.
• Theodore Roosevelt helped save the bison from extinction. In 1905 he developed the American Bison Society with William Hornaday to help save the disappearing bison. Today our public lands supports 17 bison herds, or approximately 10,000 bison, in 12 states.
• If a bison’s tail is standing straight up, watch out, they may be ready to charge.
• Bison calves are born with an orange-red color. This color turns brown after a few months. (See calf below)

4. SEARCH FOR WILD HORSES

Finding wild horses was on the top of my list when we visited Theodore Roosevelt National Park. And to see them run free here was simply breathtaking.

Wild horses can be found anywhere in the park, but we found them more elusive than the bison or prairie dogs. For our family, we spotted our first wild horses while at the Buck Hill Overlook. But here they were off in the distance and hard to see. Then we found a whole herd of wild horses grazing on the edges of a prairie dog town near the entrance of the park. (Yes, this is the same prairie dog town where we also saw our first bison in this park.) This herd of wild horses was not there when we drove in, but luckily they were there on our drive out of the park. And they were beautiful!

TRAILS & OVERLOOKS ALONG THE 36 MILE DRIVE

Many of the top things to do in Theodore Roosevelt National Park’s South Unit revolve around it’s view points, short walks and trails. Below, I took a picture of a really informative sign, regarding this, that we discovered while visiting.

5. WIND CANYON TRAIL

Wind Canyon Trail is the first amazing, short nature trail you’ll come to while traveling the Scenic Drive. This trail overlooks the Little Missouri River and it is quite picturesque. During our visit, the river was extremely low for some reason, but we still really enjoyed the view that this trail offers.  Many people also come to this spot to watch the sunset as well.

Distance: 0.4 miles

Duration: 15 minutes

6. BOICOURT TRAIL

Boicourt Overlook & Trail is the next highlight you’ll come to while traveling the Scenic Drive. And honestly, this short walk was one of my favorites. I simply loved the green “badlands-looking” rolling hills. And I loved how this short trail goes out onto a point where you feel like you’re out in the middle of this incredible wilderness. To me, this trail felt like you were truly away from it all and it was completely freeing.

Distance: 0.3 miles

Duration: 15 minutes 

7. BUCK HILL

Buck Hill is the next amazing sight (and my other favorite) that you’ll come to while driving the Scenic Drive. The badlands panoramic view here is completely breathtaking.

Buck Hill is also where we saw our first wild horses. They were grazing down in the valley below. What a beautiful setting to live in.

Distance: 0.1 mile

Duration: 10 minutes

8. COAL VEIN TRAIL

Coal Vein Trail is a unique trail with elevation changes and obstacles that kids will love to jump over. As for the scenery, to me it was nice but it wasn’t as impressive as the gorgeous, previous panoramic overlooks were. But that’s just my personal opinion.

If you are looking for a trail to walk among the landscape instead of gazing out over it, then this would be a great trail to take.

Distance: 0.8 miles

Duration: 45 minutes

9. NORTH DAKOTA BADLANDS OVERLOOK

This is the last stop on the Scenic Drive through the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park and it’s a great place to finish before heading back. The view here is incredible.

After this stop, you’ll need to turn around and retrace your steps out of the park. This drive alone will take about an hour with no stops, but retracing your steps isn’t all bad. This extra drive gives you a great opportunity to see even more animals on the way out. (Our memorable drive out is when we found the herd of wild horses galloping through a field!)

10. PAINTED CANYON OVERLOOK

Aside from the Scenic Drive in the heart of the South Unit, the Painted Canyon is another amazing area to visit. To find this section, simply exit the park from the scenic drive and head east on I-94 for 8 miles from the main entrance.

Here you’ll find the Painted Canyon Visitor Center, a stunning overlook and the 0.9 mile Painted Canyon Nature Trail. 

Painted Canyon is an amazing and easy stop in Theodore Roosevelt National that shouldn’t be missed.

HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU NEED TO VISIT THEODORE ROOSEVELT NATIONAL PARK?

The 36-Mile Scenic Drive: Allow at least 4-5 hours (1/2 -1 day) to drive, explore, hike a few short trails, plus have some time to enjoy watching the animals.

(To drive from Medora, ND to North Dakota Badlands Overlook with no stops takes 1 hour. But because this is not currently able to be driven as a loop, you’ll need to drive this same 1 hour drive back out, so it’s more like a 50 mile drive currently.)

Traveler Tip: We recommend starting early in the morning. This should let you see more animals and it will also hopefully get you back in time to have a late lunch in Medora. You could also pack a picnic lunch if you’d like the option of staying longer within the park.

Petrified Forest Unit: Allow at least 1/2 – 1 day to visit. Timing here depends on the length of your hike.

The North Unit: Allow 1-2 days, to visit. Timing here again depends on how much you are wanting to hike.

GREAT BOOKS FOR KIDS TO READ BEFORE VISITNG:

WHERE TO STAY NEAR THEODORE ROOSEVELT NATIONAL PARK:

AmericInn by Wyndham Medorais a great option in Medora, ND.

This is where we booked when we visited.

This hotel is less than 1 mile from the South Unit entrance, offers free breakfast, has a laundry facility, an indoor swimming pool, nice sized rooms and more.

Now you are all set to visit the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota with 10 Amazing Things To Do.

Have a Great Trip with Your Traveling Feet!

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