Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Theodore Roosevelt National Park is a picturesque wilderness of grasslands and badlands. Bison, feral horses, and elk roam the landscapes, hiking trails meander through the colorful bentonite hills, and scenic roads take visitors to numerous stunning overlooks.
Officially founded in 1978, this national park honors the legacy of Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th president of the United States. In the late 19th century, Roosevelt spent his early years here in the rugged Dakota Badlands. Today you can hike through the same landscapes that helped convince Roosevelt to push for national land conservation.
In this guide, we hope to introduce you to the wonders of this region and help you plan the perfect visit.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park Stats
Founded: November 10, 1978
Annual Visitors: 733,000 visitors in 2024
Size: 70,000 acres
Location: North Dakota
Entrance Fee: $30 per vehicle, valid for 7 days
Top Experiences in Theodore Roosevelt National Park
12 Best Things to Do in Theodore Roosevelt NP (+ 3 Day Itinerary)
In this guide, we cover the best things to do in Theodore Roosevelt National Park, plus essential things to know to have the best experience.
Caprock Coulee Trail. Hiking this 4 mile trail was our favorite experience within the national park. You will pass the very scenic River Bend Overlook and get awesome views over the Little Missouri River.
Ekblom Trail and Big Plateau Loop. One of the best hikes within the national park, you’ll have numerous chances to spot wildlife, gaze out across the colorful badlands, and get up close to the Little Missouri River.
Sperati Point. For one of the best views of the Little Missouri River in all of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, hike the Achenbach Trail to Sperati Point.
River Bend Overlook. This overlook features panoramic views over the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
Painted Canyon Trail. Enjoy hiking past dramatic landscapes as you head deeper into the park, along with a greater chance for wildlife sightings.
View from the Wind Canyon Trail. This short but steep hike features one of the best views of the Little Missouri River.
Did You Know?
Theodore Roosevelt National Park is divided into three units: the South Unit, the North Unit, and the Elkhorn Ranch Unit. Each unit has its own mix of great hiking and viewpoints.
This national park is named after Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th president of the United States. Roosevelt once ranched out in Dakota Territory in the late 1800’s to hunt bison and enjoy the remote, rugged landscape.
The national park is home to thousands of prairie dogs. These cute critters can be seen in the South Unit of the park, along sections of the main park road.
Geography of Theodore Roosevelt National Park
The national park is divided into three units: the South Unit, the North Unit, and the Elkhorn Ranch Unit. The two articles below provide a detailed guide on both the North and South Units of the national park. We also provide more info on the Elkhorn Ranch Unit below.
Complete Guide to the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park
The North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park is much more compact than the South Unit, and a bit less crowded. One road, Scenic Drive, runs through this section of the park. The North Unit is our favorite region of the park for its spectacular views of the badlands and the Little Missouri River.
Complete Guide to the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Most visitors spend their time at the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. It has a convenient location along Interstate 94, so it’s easy to get to and there are several small towns nearby. In the South Unit, you can visit the Painted Canyon, drive the Scenic Loop, and explore the nearby Petrified Forest.
Elkhorn Ranch Unit
This small, very remote region of the park is where Theodore Roosevelt lived after the deaths of his wife and mother. To get to this ranch, you will drive on unpaved roads, a drive that takes about an hour, one-way. Visiting this part of the park is not about hikes or scenic drives…it’s more about visiting a historical site and a place where Roosevelt found solitude during a challenging time in his life.
Hiking in Theodore Roosevelt National Park
These articles detail our experience along some of the top hiking trails within Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
Ekblom Trail and Big Plateau Loop: The Complete Hiking Guide
The Ekblom Trail and Big Plateau Loop is one of the best hikes to do in Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Along this hike, you have numerous chances to spot wildlife, gaze out across the grasslands and colorful badlands, and get up close to the Little Missouri River. When we did this, we saw mule deer, […]
How to Hike the Caprock Coulee Trail | Theodore Roosevelt National Park
The Caprock Coulee Trail is often described as one of the best hikes in Theodore Roosevelt National Park. From this trail, you get some of the best views over the Little Missouri River and wildlife sightings are common from the trail. We hiked a lot of trails in the North and South Unit, and even […]
How to Hike the Petrified Forest Trail in Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Badlands, grasslands, bison, and the Little Missouri River are not the only attractions in Theodore Roosevelt National Park. You can also visit the Petrified Forest to see ancient, mineralized trees, similar to what you will see at Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona. Millions of years ago, this part of North Dakota was once a […]
When To Visit Theodore Roosevelt National Park
The best times to visit Theodore Roosevelt National Park are in the late spring (April through May) and early fall (September through October) seasons. Temperatures will be mild and you’ll find fewer crowds than in the summer.
During the summer months, expect warm and sunny days with highs around the mid 70’s and 80’s. Although warm enough to be walking around in a t-shirt and shorts, temperatures can drop quite dramatically overnight, with low’s in the mid 50’s. The summer months are also the most popular time to visit the park, so expect larger crowds and potentially higher hotel fares.
During the winter months of December through February, expect cold temperatures with highs around 30 degrees. There’s also the chance for a dusting of snow, however, this is also a dry season for the region. The national park still remains open at this time, and if you can bear the colder weather, could make for an amazing experience away from the crowds of tourists.
The graphs below depict the average monthly temperatures and precipitation near Theodore Roosevelt National Park, which will help you plan your trip.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park appears in our Best US National Parks Month-By-Month series as a great park to visit in June and October.
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How Many Days Should You Spend in TRNP?
With the park being broken up into three units, ideally it’s best to have a day for each unit. However, with Elkhorn Ranch’s small size, you can combine this with either the North of South Unit in the same day.
With a single day in TRNP, you could see a few of the top sites within both the North and South Units, or pick just one region to spend a full day. Our favorite was the North Unit.
We spent three days in TRNP to thoroughly see the entire park. If you’d like to see everything without feeling too rushed, we recommend spending three days here.
Two Days in TRNP
Two days in Theodore Roosevelt National Park gives you just enough time to visit both the North and South Units of the park. You’ll be able to see the best sites within the park, as well as complete a few hikes. However, a third day will allow you to also see the Elkhorn Ranch Unit.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park Maps
Map of the South Unit
Map of the North Unit
Theodore Roosevelt National Park Photos
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