If you’re planning to spend one day in Theodore Roosevelt National Park, you’re in the right place. While you could easily spend longer in this beautiful park, you can see a lot in a day. Theodore Roosevelt makes for a great addition to a South Dakota National Park road trip, or a great stop if you’re road tripping across the country.
Theodore Roosevelt is North Dakota’s only national park and is appropriately named. Roosevelt fell in love with this area when he traveled here to hunt bison in the 1880’s. Roosevelt ended up investing in a local cattle operation and later started a ranch of his own, Elkhorn Ranch. The park was first established as a National Memorial Park in 1947 and became an official National Park in 1978.
Not only is the park full of history, but it’s well-known for its beautiful landscapes and wildlife. The park is home to horses, bison, prairie dogs, elk and longhorn steers. It’s a beautiful place to hike, enjoy the overlooks, photograph wildlife and admire the night skies. Keep reading for the perfect Theodore Roosevelt itinerary!
When to Visit Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Theodore Roosevelt National Park is open year round, but the vast majority of people visit during the summer. From October to April, the park receives a lot of snow and many days will have freezing temperatures. The cold means it’s a peaceful time of year, and you’ll likely experience a lot of solitude. If you don’t mind the cold temperatures, go for it!
May through September tends to be the best time to visit Theodore Roosevelt National Park, although it can be quite hot in July and August. Personally, I visited in early May and while the temperatures were great, the trails were extremely muddy. I would prefer to visit in June through September next time to avoid the worst of the mud.
Tips for Visiting Theodore Roosevelt National Park
- This national park expands across 2 time zones! (Despite them being directly north and south of each other). The North Unit is in the Central Time Zone, while the South Unit is in the Mountain Time Zone.
- Theodore Roosevelt charges a fee to enter, which is $30 per vehicle. If you’ll be visiting multiple national parks over the course of a year, it’s a great deal to purchase an America the Beautiful Pass!
- Theodore Roosevelt is divided between 3 units: the North Unit, South Unit and Elkhorn Ranch Unit. The units are pretty far apart, so plan accordingly and check driving times if you plan to visit multiple. The South Unit is the most visited, as it’s the largest and closest to the highway and nearby towns. Elkhorn Ranch preserves the ranch and cabin that Theodore Roosevelt lived in. The North Unit is very peaceful and home to some incredibly beautiful landscapes and trails.
Wildlife in Theodore Roosevelt National Park
One of the things that Theodore Roosevelt National Park is most known for is the wildlife! Most famously, the park is home to bison and feral horses. You could also see pronghorns, prairie dogs, elk, deer and more.
The animal that many guests are most excited to see is the horses! But the story behind them is a bit controversial. Horses have been in the area since European settlers brought them in the late 1800’s, but they are not native to the region. Over the years, the park service has tried to remove the horses multiple times, but has been met with a lot of pushback from visitors. In 2024, the park recommitted to keeping the horses in the park.
The park service actively manages the population to keep it from getting out of control. Left unchecked, the horses would take resources from native animals. The park service does this in various ways including selling some at public auction, contraceptives, partnerships with nonprofit horse advocacy groups and more.
Despite how you feel about them, it’s hard to argue how beautiful they are, and it’s extra special to see them roaming wild throughout the park. The feral horses are certainly one of the most unique aspects of this park!
Please be sure to always keep your distance from wild animals and never feed them. Aim to stay at least 25 yards from bison.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park One Day Itinerary
This is how I spent one day in Theodore Roosevelt National Park. I visited both the North and South Unit one day! Keep in mind that this requires an early start. If you prefer to move at a slower pace, I’d recommend only visiting the South Unit during your first visit to Theodore Roosevelt.
Explore the North Unit
Spend your morning exploring the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. There is a 14-mile scenic drive through this unit that leads to all of the best views.
Pro Tip: Get an early start so that you have enough time to visit both the North and South Units. If you’re not an early riser, you may want to stick with just exploring the South Unit for the day.
Hike the Caprock Coulee Trail
If you only have time for one hike in Theodore Roosevelt National Park, I think this is a great choice. The Caprock Coulee Loop is 4.4 miles with just under 600 feet of elevation gain, and rated moderate. It will lead you past colorful badlands and through grasslands. The high point of the trail also offers an incredible view.
Fun Fact: Coulees are steep and narrow valleys caused by water erosion.
It’s not uncommon to see bison on or near this trail. Please be sure to keep your distance from any wildlife for your own safety as well as theirs.
Scenic Stops in the North Unit
After your hike, admire the scenic viewpoints along the North Unit Scenic Drive.
Riverbend Overlook
The most famous overlook in Theodore Roosevelt National Park is probably the Riverbend Overlook. You’ll take a short walk up to a shelter that was built by the CCC. From the top, you’ll have expansive views of the Little Missouri River. The stone structure was built in 1937.
Oxbow Overlook
The Oxbow Overlook is located at the end of the North Unit Scenic Drive. As the name suggests, the overlook provides a view of an oxbow bend in the river. There’s a very short trail to enjoy the view.
Cannonball Concretions Pullout
And one of the most unique places in Theodore Roosevelt National Park is the Cannonball Concentrations Pullout! This is a fascinating bit of geology - I’ve never seen anything quite like it! Round rock formations have been formed from minerals seeping into gaps in the sediments. Over many years, the concentrations have been revealed through erosion of the surrounding bluff. These unique rocks are located right off the road and a must-see in Theodore Roosevelt!
Explore the South Unit
After spending your morning in the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt, make your way to the South Unit for the afternoon. They are located a little over an hour apart. I recommend packing a lunch so that you don’t have to worry about stopping to get food, although you will drive through the town of Medora if you need to stop!
Scenic Stops in the South Unit
Prairie Dog Metropolis
As you enter into the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt, one of the first things you’ll see is a giant Prairie Dog Town, known as Prairie Dog Metropolis. This is the largest area of prairie dogs I’ve ever seen! Black-tailed prairie dogs live in the park and they are so fun to watch.
Make sure to not feed the prairie dogs. They have a hard time digesting human food and it can make them sick. Plus, they could bite you, and they could be hosting fleas that can transmit the bubonic plague to humans.
Skyline Vista
The Skyline Vista is a quick and easy stop as you continue deeper into the South Unit. It provides a nice view, but you’ll also be looking at I-94. It’s a short, paved walk from the parking lot to take in the view.
Wind Canyon Trail
The Wind Canyon Trail is a quick, half-mile hike that leads to a fantastic view of the Little Missouri River. It involves climbing a small hill. It’s a beautiful view that is well worth the effort, and you’ll also have a great chance of seeing wildlife along the way.
Boicourt Overlook Trail
The Boicourt Overlook Trail was easily one of my favorite stops in the South Unit because I saw so many bison in the canyon below! The trail is just under a mile. It starts paved, and then becomes unpaved. As you reach the end, you’ll be on a ledge with drop-offs on both sides. As long as you’re not too afraid of heights, this is such a neat overlook!
I was able to watch a giant bison herd migrating through the area down below, which made it extra special.
Buck Hill Trail
Buck Hill is one of the highest points in the park! This is another quick trail, it’s 0.4 miles and involves climbing up a hill. You’ll enjoy a 360-degree view from the top and get to admire rocks that used to be part of an ancient stream.
Coal Vein Trail
The Coal Vein Trail is one more unique and easy stop to add to your Theodore Roosevelt itinerary. This 0.6-mile loop is full of interesting things to look at. A coal seam fire (a smoldering that takes place underground) burned here for more than 25 years. Along with forest views, you can admire red clinker and bentonite badland formations along the way.
Dinner in Medora
Medora is a cute, Western town located right outside of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. It’s a great place to grab dinner or catch the Medora Musical, which is performed outside during the summer months.
I had a great dinner at Boots Bar & Grill, which is an American bar and grill that has something for everyone. Hatlee & Brae is also great for ice cream!
Sunset at Painted Canyon Overlook
Finally, end your day in Theodore Roosevelt by watching the sunset at the Painted Canyon Overlook. This part of the park is in the South Unit but isolated from the main entrance. It’s located right off of I-94 and doubles as a rest stop.
From this overlook, you’ll get to enjoy stunning views of layered rock formations. They glow pink (as if they’re painted) at sunset and it’s beautiful to see. There is a 1-mile nature trail if you'd like to go deeper, but the views from the parking lot are also nice. This is the perfect way to end your day at Theodore Roosevelt National Park!
Where to Stay near Theodore Roosevelt National Park
If you’re staying in the park for more than one day, there are a few different options of where to stay. If you enjoy camping, the national park has campgrounds in both the North and South Units. In the south unit, you can stay at the Cottonwood Campground. There are 76 total sites and half require a reservation, while the other half are first come, first served.
In the North Unit, there is the Juniper Campground. It has 50 sites and all are first come, first served.
There are also a few different hotels located in Medora, which is right outside of the park. Stay at the Rough Riders Hotel or the Badlands Motel for historic western charm. The AmericInn by Wyndham Medora is also a popular choice.
The next closest large town (with many more hotel options) is the town of Dickinson. It’s located just 30 miles east of Medora. A few good hotels to consider in Dickinson include the My Place Hotel, the Candlewood Suites and the Roosevelt Grand Dakota.
Pro Tip: Book your hotel early to get a better rate.
How to Get To Theodore Roosevelt National Park
You might be wondering what the best way to get to Theodore Roosevelt National Park is. If you can find tickets, there is a small regional airport in Dickinson, just 30 minutes from the park (the Dickinson-Theodore Roosevelt Regional Airport (DIK)).
If it’s not reasonable to fly into Dickinson, the closest nearby major airports are Billings, MT and Bismarck, ND. Bismarck is 2 hours away and Billings is 4 hours away.
Personally, I would recommend combining your Theodore Roosevelt trip with the South Dakota national parks, in which case I would recommend flying into Rapid City.
As you can see, this park is remote, but there are many ways to reach it.
Final Thoughts
I hope this guide helps you plan an epic day trip to Theodore Roosevelt National Park! This underrated park is peaceful and full of unique beauty and wildlife. While it’s a bit out of way, I certainly think it’s worth a visit.
More Guides on US National Parks:
- The Best Things To Do in North Cascades in the Summer
- How to Spend 2 Days in Rocky Mountain National Park
- How to Spend 3 Days in Yellowstone National Park
- 3 Days in the Badlands and Black Hills of South Dakota
- How to Spend 2 Days in Grand Teton National Park
- How to Spend 3 Days in Acadia Natioanl Park
- The Best Things To Do in Cuyahoga Valley National Park
- A First-Timer's Backpacking Itinerary for Isle Royale National Park
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