Guide to Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
Everything the RV Renter Needs to Know
Everything the RV Renter Needs to Know
When checking national parks off your list, you should consider checking out the one honoring the man who was their greatest champion: Theodore Roosevelt. Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota showcases the ruggedly beautiful badlands of Western North Dakota. The area made a huge impression on a young Roosevelt who had visited the area for solace and bison hunting. Historians believe these visits are what guided his strong conservation efforts as president.
Roosevelt would be delighted to see that the area has become a protected national park—that its preserved rugged beauty is enjoyed by thousands of visitors each year. Many come to experience the wonder and plentiful outdoor activities offered by these hilly plains that are still home to native bison.
There are 19 different trails available to hike between the north and south units varying in difficulty from easy to strenuous. Get firsthand views of rivers, canyons, hill summits, and grasslands. If you want to get to the highest point in the park, take the Buck Hill Trail; it’s short but sweet and gives you a panoramic view of the park. If you’re looking for a more strenuous hike, the Buckhorn Trail in the north unit is more than 11 miles of canyons, prairie dog towns, elevated prairie land, and is rich with plants and wildlife.
Be extremely cautious of wildlife on the trails. Bison are commonly encountered and can charge if they feel threatened. Rangers suggest a minimum of 25 yards, although more is better. In addition, prairie dogs are notorious for making holes in unwanted places. These can create significant tripping hazards so keep your eyes open along the trails.
Bring your binoculars because there are plenty of awesome animals to catch a glimpse of at the park. Keep your eyes open for bison, deer, elk, feral horses, pronghorns, coyotes, bobcats, prairie dogs, and many more. Areas near water sources are a great choice because they attract thirsty animals from all over the park.
The South Unit will offer the best views of wildlife. Elk, large prairie dog towns, and feral horses are exclusive to this southern branch of the park. Also, the park requests that you keep Fido in the car as you watch the wildlife for both the safety of your pet and the safety of the park’s animals.
Both the Northern and Southern Units have their own dedicated scenic drives which are great activities for a worn-out crew. The drive in the Northern Unit is 28-miles long and the out-and-back route takes about 75 minutes to complete. The climax of the drive is the River Bend Outlook with a fantastic elevated view.
The South Unit drive is a longer 36-mile loop that will take about 90 minutes without time to stop or rest. There are a number of scenic outlooks and wildlife viewing opportunities that will beg for photos. You may also recall that the South Unit is particularly rich in wildlife, so keep an eye out for bison on the roadway.
There’s some solemn history at the Elkhorn Ranch. Theodore Roosevelt, grieving for his mother and wife, returned to the area looking for some respite from his anguish. He found the Elkhorn Ranch comforting and declared it to be his home ranch.
Enter the cabin at the site and explore the various exhibits about Roosevelt’s life and what the ranch meant to him. You’ll be able to view handwritten passages about his experiences and learn about the role of nature in his life. Perhaps you may, too, feel at peace at Elkhorn Ranch.
Time your visit just right and you may be visiting Theodore Roosevelt National Park during its most exciting program: the Dakota Nights Astronomy Festival. This annual festival is geared towards stargazing and space exploration and typically occurs in the summer months (check with the park about specific dates). Bring your telescope if you have one!
The program goes into all different types of human relationships with stars and planets. Everything from ancient Native American stories about constellations to the mission of the Mars rover. Even though we know little about space as human beings, you’ll walk away with a whole lot more knowledge than you came with.
The Cottonwood and Juniper Campgrounds in the Southern and Northern Units, respectively, welcome RV campers. The only issue is that there are no hookups available, so you’ll be dry camping. In the summer months, you will have access to flushing toilets and potable water, however. This is truly no frills, out in the middle of nature camping; if that’s what you’re looking for, you’ve found it.
The closest RV camping option outside of the South Unit of the park is just a two-minute drive. The Red Trail Campground offers guests full hookup service with up to 50-amp electrical. The campground also has shower and restroom facilities, Wi-Fi, and a playground. It’s also nestled in the cute town of Medora which has a little shopping and a couple of restaurants.
Just one mile further south, you’ll bump into Boots Campground. Located on the property of Boots Bar and Grill, the 16 RV-friendly sites offer full hookup access and great views of the badlands. Be aware that there are no other facilities on site. You do, of course, have the restaurant right there and it’s a good place to enjoy a hot meal.
Looking for something a little different? How about a night at a working ranch? The Bar X Guest Ranch allows visitors to experience the ranch life first-hand. Go horseback riding among the scenery of the badlands and view cattle branding and roundup demonstrations. They’ve got room for your RV, but only provide electric hookups. The campground is just a few miles from the entrance to the South Unit.
If you’re looking to stay closer to the North Unit, the Arrowwood RV Park is a solid option. A family-friendly place, the campground offers full hookups and a laundromat as well as close access to hiking, fishing, and golfing. It is also within walking distance of Italian and Cajun restaurants.
Any dining you do at the park will be the fruit of your efforts. There are plenty of picnic tables and beautiful scenic stops for a picnic lunch, but you won’t find any proper facilities in the park, itself. It would probably be best to do your grocery shopping beforehand because the nearest proper grocery store from the South Unit is about 35 miles away in Dickinson. At the North Unit, you can find groceries 15 miles away in (relatively) nearby Watford City.
Outside of the South Unit, you have a couple options, the closest being Medora. There you can find the usual pizza, sandwich, burger, and café options for American food. Dickinson (35 miles to the east) has the most options, by far. Here you’ll find BBQ, Japanese, Mexican, and Thai food along with the standard American fare.
Near the North Unit, Watford City has some BBQ, a smokehouse, pizza joints, and some standard American cafes. A nice surprise is that there are also a couple of craft beer places and even a small brewery.
During your visit to Theodore Roosevelt National Park, think back to what the beauty and peace of this land meant to one of the nation’s greatest presidents. You may also find the North Dakota badlands to be surprisingly therapeutic and a memory you’ll cherish forever.