Where on earth
Satellite imagery flying in from a world view to Theodore Roosevelt National Park, United States. Use the + / − buttons, or click the map to zoom with your scroll wheel; drag to pan and pinch to zoom on touch.
- Region
- North Dakota, USA
- Country
- United States
- Biome
- Northern badlands + mixed-grass prairie
- Best season
- May – October
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Backpacking
- Hiking
- Desert Hiking
- Canyoneering
- Canoeing
- Fishing
- Photography
Key takeaways
- Biome: Northern badlands + mixed-grass prairie
- Best season: May – October
- Difficulty: moderate
- Top activity: hiking
Topic summary
Painted badlands where Theodore Roosevelt ranched — bison, wild horses, prairie dog towns, and the Little Missouri River.
Key takeaways
- Difficulty: moderate
- Best season: May – October
Intended uses
- hiking
- camping
- backpacking
Climate suitability
Northern badlands + mixed-grass prairie
Verification notes
Last verified January 1, 1970.
Tools for a trip here
Picked for how, when and where you're going. Free, no signup.
- Sleep System Temp CalculatorCold nights: check your bag and pad add up to a safe sleep.
- Base Weight CalculatorEvery ounce is carried — total your kit and find your base weight.
- Pack Volume SizerSize the pack for your trip length and season.
- Water Purification MatrixTreat water from streams and lakes on trail.
- Layering CalculatorCold-season miles: layer for climbs and camp.
Plan with verified data
Theodore Roosevelt National Park trip tools
How to get there
For the South Unit, head to Medora, North Dakota; the entrance station is in town. For the North Unit, the entrance station is 15 minutes south of Watford City. Select the unit before planning the approach.
- South Unit entrance station
Located in Medora and the arrival point for a South Unit visit. The South Unit Visitor Center handles entrance payments or pass presentation during the winter season.
- North Unit entrance station
The arrival point for the North Unit, south of Watford City. The North Unit Visitor Center handles entrance payments or pass presentation during the winter season.
Sources: nps.gov · Wikipedia · Wikivoyage. Confirm road and trailhead conditions with the managing agency before you leave.
Popular pursuits at Theodore Roosevelt National Park
- Backpacking
Multi-day travel with everything on your back — see the packing blocks below.
- Hiking
Day miles on marked trail, with route notes and trail links below.
- Canoeing
Paddle routes, portages, and put-ins.
- Fishing
Resident gamefish, seasons, and the water that holds them.
Animals around Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Maps, GPS & compass for this trip
Carry a waterproof paper map and a compass you can steer by, and treat the GPS as the backup — not the other way round. Buying links go to Amazon; Wild10 earns a commission at no cost to you.
Waterproof topo maps
- Waterproof topographic map — Theodore Roosevelt National ParkAmazon search for waterproof, tear-resistant topo maps covering this area.
- National Geographic Trails IllustratedThe waterproof Trails Illustrated series — check for a sheet covering this area.
- Waterproof map case & compass lanyardKeep a paper map readable in rain, spray and a swamped boat.
Fishing at Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Planning to fish Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota? Fishing licenses, open seasons and catch limits in North Dakota are set by the local wildlife authority and change every year — check the official source before you cast a line.
Do I need a fishing license at Theodore Roosevelt National Park?
- A North Dakota fishing license is normally required for anyone over the local youth age.
- Read the current North Dakota fishing regulations for special waters, barbless-hook or catch-and-release rules.
- Clean, drain and dry boats and gear between waters to stop invasive species.
- Theodore Roosevelt National Park may add its own fishing rules on top of North Dakota law — check the managing agency too.
Hunting near Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Thinking about hunting Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota? Hunting seasons, tags and draws in North Dakota are set by the wildlife authority each year. Confirm the rules for your species and unit before you go.
Is hunting allowed at Theodore Roosevelt National Park?
- Hunting is prohibited or heavily restricted in many national parks, wilderness and protected areas — confirm with the Theodore Roosevelt National Park land manager before planning a hunt, and look to surrounding public land.
What do I need to hunt in North Dakota?
- A North Dakota hunting license — most jurisdictions also require hunter education certification.
- Species tags or draw results for big game such as deer, elk, moose or bear where they occur.
- Knowledge of firearm and bow transport rules, which differ by land type and border crossing.
Badlands, prairie and wildlife
Theodore Roosevelt National Park protects a North Dakota landscape of badlands along the Little Missouri River, open prairie and hardwood draws. Those different settings give a visit more range than a drive focused only on the broken badlands terrain. Bison and prairie dogs are among the wildlife here, so leave room in the day for watching animals rather than treating each stop as a quick photograph. Keep wildlife viewing at a distance and give animals space to move without approaching or crowding them. For time outdoors, carry water, sun protection and layers suited to changing weather. Plan around the amount of exposed walking the group can comfortably handle, and check current conditions before committing to an outing.
Choosing a base and a focus
Medora is the access town for the South Unit, with the entrance station in town. It is a popular summer destination, and much of the surrounding area belongs to either Theodore Roosevelt National Park or Little Missouri National Grassland. The North Unit has a separate entrance station, 15 minutes south of Watford City. Choose an arrival point deliberately rather than treating the two entrances as interchangeable. The park's name also gives a useful focus to a visit: Theodore Roosevelt spent formative years in this area and developed a commitment to conserving the nation's natural resources. Pair time looking at the landscape with that history, while keeping the day's outdoor plans grounded in weather, conditions and the group's energy.
Entrance passes and practical planning
An entrance pass is required year-round, and the park does not issue timed-entry permits. A private, non-commercial vehicle pass costs $30 and covers everyone in that vehicle for seven days. Entry on foot, bicycle, horse or other non-motorized transport costs $15 per person for seven days; children under 16 do not need an individual entrance pass. The park annual pass costs $55, and an existing America the Beautiful pass covers entrance. Plan for electronic card payment: the park is cashless. Passes can also be purchased online. Entrance fees are collected at entrance stations May through September and at visitor centers during the rest of the year. If a visitor center is closed, payment can be made through Recreation.gov.
Route options
- South Unit visit from Medora
Use the entrance in Medora for a South Unit outing. Start with current information at the South Unit Visitor Center before choosing the day's outdoor activities; this is a unit-based visit option rather than a specified trail route.
- North Unit visit from Watford City
Approach the North Unit entrance from Watford City and use the North Unit Visitor Center to check current conditions before deciding how to spend time outdoors. This option identifies an arrival plan, not a marked hiking route.
Sample itineraries
- South Unit introduction · 1 day
Start at the South Unit Visitor Center in Medora to check current conditions and choose an outing suited to the day. Focus on the park’s badlands, open prairie, and wildlife viewing. Leave time to explore Medora.
- South and North Unit visit · 2 days
Spend the first day exploring the South Unit from Medora. On the second, visit the North Unit, whose entrance station is 15 minutes south of Watford City. Use the visitor centers to confirm suitable outings rather than assuming conditions are the same across both units.
Seasonal conditions
Spring
Spring
Plan flexible outings across the badlands and open prairie. Check the forecast and ground conditions before setting out, and carry layers for exposed terrain.
Summer
Summer
Summer is a popular visitor season in Medora. For outings on the open prairie and in the badlands, carry drinking water and sun protection, and adjust plans to the day’s weather.
Fall
Fall
Check current conditions with the visitor centers before choosing an outing. Pack layers and allow weather, rather than the calendar alone, to determine how long to spend in exposed terrain.
Winter
Winter
Confirm weather and access conditions before traveling. Bring insulating layers and keep outdoor plans conservative. Entrance fees remain required; payment can be made online if the visitor center is not open.
| Season | Window | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Spring | Plan flexible outings across the badlands and open prairie. Check the forecast and ground conditions before setting out, and carry layers for exposed terrain. |
| Summer | Summer | Summer is a popular visitor season in Medora. For outings on the open prairie and in the badlands, carry drinking water and sun protection, and adjust plans to the day’s weather. |
| Fall | Fall | Check current conditions with the visitor centers before choosing an outing. Pack layers and allow weather, rather than the calendar alone, to determine how long to spend in exposed terrain. |
| Winter | Winter | Confirm weather and access conditions before traveling. Bring insulating layers and keep outdoor plans conservative. Entrance fees remain required; payment can be made online if the visitor center is not open. |
Permits, fees & closures
An entrance pass is required year-round. The park does not issue timed entry permits. Confirm any activity-specific permit requirements with the National Park Service.
Fees: Seven-day entrance passes cost $30 per private vehicle, $25 for up to two motorcycles with four total passengers, or $15 per person entering by non-motorized means. Children under 16 entering without a vehicle need no pass. The park annual pass costs $55. Entrance payments are cashless.
Reservations: There is no timed entry permit system. Entrance passes can be purchased online. Confirm any separate camping or activity reservation requirements with the park.
Official source: Fees & Passes - Theodore Roosevelt - National Park Service · Verified October 19, 2026
Hazards & regulations
- Bison are large wild animals. Give them space and never approach for a photograph.
- Open prairie offers limited shelter from weather. Check the forecast and carry protective layers.
- Sun exposure and inadequate drinking water can undermine a badlands outing. Carry water and sun protection.
- Badlands terrain calls for careful footing. Choose an outing appropriate to current ground conditions and personal ability.
What to pack for Theodore Roosevelt National Park
- Drinking water
- Snacks
- Comfortable walking footwear
- Small first-aid kit
- Sun hat and sunscreen
- Wind-resistant outer layer
- Season-appropriate insulating layers
- Binoculars for watching wildlife without approaching
- Entrance pass or electronic payment card
- Current park information obtained at a visitor center
Wildlife you may see
- Bison inhabit the park; watch without approaching or crowding them.
- Prairie dogs are among the park’s characteristic wildlife. Observe without feeding or disturbing them.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park FAQ
- What landscape does Theodore Roosevelt National Park protect?
- The park lies in North Dakota’s Little Missouri River badlands. Its terrain also includes open prairie and hardwood draws.
- Where are the main entrance stations?
- The South Unit entrance station is in Medora. The North Unit entrance station is 15 minutes south of Watford City.
- Is timed entry required?
- No. The park does not issue timed entry permits, but an entrance pass is required year-round.
- Can entrance fees be paid with cash?
- No. Entrance fees require electronic card payment. Passes can also be purchased online; use Recreation.gov if the visitor center is not open.
- Does an America the Beautiful pass cover entrance?
- Yes. A valid America the Beautiful pass is the only entrance pass needed. It covers entrance, not necessarily separate activity or camping charges.
- Why is the park named for Theodore Roosevelt?
- Theodore Roosevelt spent formative years in this area and became devoted to conserving the nation’s natural resources.