Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Go for the badlands of western North Dakota, where bison graze among striped buttes beside the Little Missouri River.
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Theodore Roosevelt National Park sits in western North Dakota, in the Little Missouri badlands, a region of eroded buttes, deep ravines and grassland. The park has three units: the South Unit near Medora, the North Unit near Watford City, and the Elkhorn Ranch Unit, where Theodore Roosevelt ran cattle in the 1880s. Congress set the land aside as a memorial park in 1947, and it became a national park in 1978.
The wildlife and the drive are the main reasons to go. Bison, elk, pronghorn and wild horses roam the grasslands, and the Scenic Loop Drive in the South Unit passes overlooks of the river and the layered rock. Short trails and the Painted Canyon overlook fit a day trip. The North Unit is a separate drive, so it suits a second visit. Late spring through early fall is the best window, since summers are hot and winters are cold and snowy. Plan at least one full day, or two to three days to see all three units.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park in five
- Pick the unit before you driveThe South Unit, near Medora, has the main scenic loop and most of the visitor facilities. The North Unit near Watford City is a separate drive, so one trip rarely covers both well.
- Save offline maps before you enterPhone signal is patchy across the park and drops out in the badlands. Download the park area in Google Maps for offline use and pick up a paper map at the visitor center.Phones and eSIM
- Keep 25 yards from bisonBison walk along the roads and can cross without warning. Stay at least 25 yards from bison and elk, and never walk up to get a photo.
- Fill up before you enter the parkServices inside the park are limited, so buy fuel and food in Medora or Watford City first. Carry your own water on the trails.
- Check gravel roads after rainMany park roads are unpaved, and wet clay turns them slick and sometimes impassable. Check the park road status on the NPS site before you drive out.Getting around
Need to know
- Currency
- US dollar (USD)
- Entry
- ESTA for Visa Waiver countries; visa for others Read more
- Emergency
- 911 police, fire and ambulance
- Tipping
- 15 to 20% at restaurants and bars; not expected at shops
- Time
- UTC-7 (Mountain), UTC-6 with daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCold, snowbound
- FebruaryCold, quiet
- MarchMud season
- AprilThaw, muddy roads
- MayGreen, lively
- JuneLong days
- JulyHot, busy
- AugustHot, storms
- SeptemberCooler, quieter
- OctoberCooling, quieter
- NovemberCold, first snow
- DecemberCold, snowbound
Right now in Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
7
- Feels like
- 2°
- Humidity
- 91%
- Wind
- 38 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 90%
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
02:37 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today12°4°90%Monday: Rain. High 12°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 90%.
- Tue5°1°4%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 5°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 4%.
- Wed14°3°0%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 14°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu11°2°0%Thursday: Cloudy. High 11°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri12°4°3%Friday: Cloudy. High 12°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Sat10°3°14%Saturday: Partly cloudy. High 10°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 14%.
- Sun14°2°1%Sunday: Cloudy. High 14°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 1%.
Updated 01:53 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Before you go to Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Rules for Theodore Roosevelt National Park, checked
- Stay at least 25 yards from bison, elk and other large animals; they are wild and can react without warning.Source
- Do not take or disturb antlers, bones, fossils or other natural and cultural objects anywhere in the park.Source
- Drone flights are restricted in national parks; check the park page for current rules before you fly.Source
Plan around Theodore Roosevelt National Park
The state, the drive in and the wider route
Read the guideAll of USAEntry rules and money basics for the USA
Read the guideMedora and gateway townsSmall-town rooms and where to base yourself
Read the guideGetting around the USARental cars and long gravel drives
Read the guidePhones and eSIMSignal, maps and data for remote roads
Read the guideTravel insuranceCover for hiking, rough roads and evacuation
Read the guideTheodore Roosevelt National Park FAQ
How many days do I need at Theodore Roosevelt National Park?
One full day covers the South Unit scenic loop, a short hike and the visitor center. Two days lets you add the North Unit, which is a separate drive.
When is the best time to visit Theodore Roosevelt National Park?
Late May through June and September are the strongest months. Summer is hot and busy, and winter roads can be snowbound or muddy.
Which unit should I visit first?
Start with the South Unit near Medora. It has the main scenic drive and the visitor center. The North Unit is a separate drive, so save it for a second visit.
Is there cell service in the park?
Coverage is patchy and often disappears in the valleys and badlands. Download offline maps before you arrive and do not rely on live navigation.
Can I visit the Elkhorn Ranch site?
The Elkhorn Ranch Unit is remote and has no services. The drive is on rough gravel, so go only with full fuel, enough water and a plan to turn back.