About Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Welcome to blog post #2 in our series about great places to visit along the Great Plains Trail. Theodore Roosevelt National Park is a national park located in western North Dakota, United States. The park covers over 70,000 acres and is named after the 26th President of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt, who spent time in the area and was inspired by its natural beauty.
The park is divided into three separate units: the North Unit, the South Unit, and the Elkhorn Ranch Unit. The North and South Units are located on opposite sides of the Little Missouri River, while the Elkhorn Ranch Unit is located in the middle.
The North Unit of the park is known for its rugged badlands landscape, with steep canyons, eroded buttes, and rolling hills. Visitors can hike on trails throughout the park, including the popular Achenbach Trail and the Caprock Coulee Trail. Wildlife viewing is also popular in the North Unit, with bison, elk, bighorn sheep, and prairie dogs among the species that can be seen.
The South Unit of the park features a more varied landscape, with grassy plains, colorful badlands, and the winding Little Missouri River. The scenic drive through the South Unit is a popular activity, with stops at viewpoints such as Wind Canyon and Painted Canyon. Hiking trails in the South Unit include the Petrified Forest Loop Trail and the Ridgeline Trail.
The Elkhorn Ranch Unit is a remote area of the park that was once owned by Theodore Roosevelt himself. The ranch is now a historic site, with a reconstructed cabin and interpretive displays about Roosevelt’s time in the area.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park is a unique and beautiful destination that offers visitors the chance to experience the rugged and wild landscape of the North Dakota badlands, while also learning about the important conservation legacy of one of America’s greatest Presidents.
Find a list of 16 nationally significant areas that you’ll find on the Great Plains Trail by visiting our post, Great Plains Trail – It’s a National Treasure.
