Theodore Roosevelt National Park North Dakota, USA Travel Guide
Medora, North Dakota: (Adjacent to the South Unit) This historic, charming town has attractions like the Medora Musical, Pitchfork Fondue, local museums, and historic sites related to its founding and Theodore Roosevelt's time there.
North Unit, Theodore Roosevelt National Park: (Approximately 1.5-hour drive from the South Unit/Medora) The North Unit shows a distinctly different badlands landscape and unique wildlife viewing opportunities. It is generally less crowded than the South Unit, for a more serene experience.
Painted Canyon: (Adjacent to I-94, about 7 miles east of Medora) This highly accessible scenic overlook has a dramatic first view of the Badlands formations. A short trail permits closer exploration.
Little Missouri National Grassland: This vast grassland surrounds the park units. It contains public lands for hiking, dispersed camping, and scenic drives on gravel roads. It is an excellent place for solitude and spotting wildlife away from park crowds.
Venture further into North Dakota's diverse natural landscapes with these day trip options, showing different ecosystems beyond the badlands.
Sheyenne National Grassland: (Eastern North Dakota) Approximately a 4-hour drive from Theodore Roosevelt National Park. This grassland reveals a completely different prairie ecosystem, including unique sandhills and varied birdlife. It is for those interested in diverse prairie landscapes.
This large reservoir on the Missouri River has extensive opportunities for boating, fishing, and camping. It contrasts the dry badlands, featuring large expanses of water.
Expand your historical and cultural awareness of North Dakota with excursions to sites outside Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
South of Mandan, near Bismarck, about a 2.5-hour drive. This park preserves a reconstructed U.S. Cavalry fort and a Mandan Indian village. It offers insights into military history on the frontier and Native American culture.
During warmer months, scenic river cruises on the Missouri River aboard the Lewis & Clark Riverboat. This historic view relates to the Lewis and Clark Expedition's journey through the region.
Drive through the small towns and vast agricultural lands surrounding the park. This experience reveals rural North Dakota life, demonstrating the state's main industries and the quiet charm of its farming communities.
Fort Abraham Lincoln is a site for understanding frontier life and military history. The Mandan Indian Village portion offers insight into Native American heritage.
The Lewis & Clark Riverboat cruise offers a relaxing way to see the Missouri River and gain perspective on the famous expedition's route through North Dakota.
Consider extending your trip beyond Theodore Roosevelt National Park to explore more of the American West. Combining destinations makes for a comprehensive road trip experience.
This is a popular and logical combination, about 3-4 hours south of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Spend 3-4 days exploring iconic landmarks and natural wonders.
While a longer drive (6-8 hours west), many visitors combine Theodore Roosevelt NP with Yellowstone for a major national park road trip. This extension geothermal features, abundant wildlife, and dramatic mountain scenery.
If you continue your journey west, Glacier National Park offers stunning mountain scenery, glaciers, and alpine lakes. Or head east to Minneapolis/St. Paul for a major urban hub.
These are road trips designed for driving between destinations. Flights from Bismarck or Fargo can connect you to other major U.S. Cities if you prefer to fly to your next destination after visiting North Dakota.
Plan your extended road trip with these route suggestions that encompass multiple national parks and cultural sites.
Start at Yellowstone or Glacier National Park, drive east to Theodore Roosevelt National Park, continue south to the Black Hills of South Dakota, and end in Minneapolis or Fargo.
Begin in Fargo or Bismarck, explore Theodore Roosevelt National Park, then continue south to the Black Hills. From South Dakota, drive west to Yellowstone National Park.
This option lets you experience the vastness of the plains before reaching the dramatic mountain landscapes, providing a varied geographical journey.
