You might simply argue that the nationwide park system wouldn’t exist with out the contributions of President Theodore Roosevelt. He was a pressure for change in how Americans valued land and championed the conservation of the nation’s pure sources.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park honors that legacy and protects some of the spectacular landscapes in North Dakota. One that held a particular place within the coronary heart of the President himself. Here’s our information to RVing Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
Why Visit Theodore Roosevelt National Park in an RV?
Theodore Roosevelt National Park is a superb vacation spot so as to add to a Dakotas nationwide parks street journey, looping in spots like Wind Cave National Park and the Badlands alongside your route. Because the closest main airport is almost two hours away in Williston, ND, an RV street journey is the easiest way to discover every part this park has to supply.
You can camp contained in the park or simply exterior the doorway within the charming city of Medora – typically known as “North Dakota’s #1 Tourist Destination.” The city is a superb place for an RV base camp as a result of it gives easy accessibility to the park’s scenic drives, mountain climbing trails, and fossil shows.
Perhaps the park’s greatest attraction is its wildlife – populous herds of huge bison, sprawling prairie canine cities, bounding pronghorn, feral horses, and seasonal elk herds are frequently noticed proper from park roads.
I personally went searching for bison on a 5-mile loop hike, solely to come across a herd of fifty or extra upon returning to my truck. I noticed loads of bison tracks main by means of the prairie canine cities as I meandered throughout a river, over open grassland, and thru a flood plain – three of the park’s fundamental ecosystems.
When to Visit Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Theodore Roosevelt National Park is open year-round, however some, if not all, park roads shut throughout the winter due to snow. A substantial quantity of wind is frequent within the park all year long. Here’s somewhat extra concerning the seasonal climate patterns on this North Dakota vacation spot:
Theodore Roosevelt National Park within the Spring
By mid-April, the in a single day lows have usually climbed out of the kids, and daytime highs common within the mid-to-upper 50s. Snow and freezing temperatures are nonetheless potential, however spring generally is a nice time to see the park’s wildlife as they shake off the coolness of winter and develop extra energetic as issues heat up.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park within the Summer
Summer highs frequently rise into the 70s and 80s, which might really feel fairly sizzling on this dry northern local weather. Low temps can typically dip into the 40s however usually backside out within the low 50s. Summer does include the opportunity of violent afternoon thunderstorms, so test the climate usually earlier than and through your go to.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park within the Fall
Daytime temperatures start to dip into the 40s by late October, however the early fall months are a phenomenal time to go to. You’ll get pleasure from smaller crowds and glorious wildlife viewing alongside the park’s roadways. Be ready for in a single day temperatures to doubtlessly drop under freezing.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park within the Winter
For the well-prepared, the park affords winter actions like cross-country snowboarding and snowshoeing. You’ll simply should be prepared for doubtlessly tough winter climate, as storms steadily roll in and common low temps hardly ever rise out of the one digits.
Where to Stay
The park has two fundamental campgrounds open to RVs: Cottonwood Campground and Juniper Campground. Both additionally welcome tent campers, however neither has hookups or communal showers.
Cottonwood Campground is your best option for visiting the park’s south unit. It has a complete of 76 websites, 12 of that are tent-only. Roughly half the websites might be reserved, which is strongly inspired as a result of it normally fills to capability from the center of May by means of mid-September.
For these within the park’s north unit, Juniper Campground operates on a first-come, first-served foundation. There are 50 whole websites, however 9 are reserved for tent tenting. Only the Juniper group web site could also be reserved from May by means of September.
Staying Outside the Park
If you’re unable to ebook a web site within the park, try these close by RV parks:
Invest in a Good Sam Membership and save 10% on nightly stays at Good Sam Campgrounds.
Tips for Your Camping Stay
Use these tricks to plan and profit from your go to:
- Reservations must be made upfront by means of Recreation.gov utilizing these hyperlinks:
- Choose your campground primarily based on the park unit (north or south) you propose to spend probably the most time exploring.
- Cellphone reception is proscribed or nonexistent in most components of the park. Plan accordingly.
- There are not any companies at both campground. Pack meals and drinks in a tenting cooler earlier than you arrive.
- The closest dump stations are exterior Juniper Campground and Medora, however they’re solely open seasonally from May by means of September.
- Visitors can even acquire a backcountry allow for backpacking within the park’s wilderness areas.
How to Get Around Theodore Roosevelt National Park
The park is split into two models: north and south. That means your first resolution is which unit you favor to discover. The park is most simply accessed from Interstate 94, and also you’ll take exit 61 to entry the park’s south unit if you happen to’re driving in from the east. From the west, use exit 24.
For these wishing to discover the park’s extra distant north unit, you’ll exit I-94 and head north on US 85, no matter whether or not you’re coming from the east or west. After about 50 miles, you’ll flip left onto Scenic Drive to search out the park’s north entrance.
Once you’re within the park, the most effective methods to get round are by automobile (towing a automobile is a superb thought when you’ve got a motorhome), on foot, by bicycle, or on horseback. There are not any most RV size restrictions on park roads, however they’re windy and may sometimes be blocked by herds of migrating wildlife. Take it sluggish and benefit from the journey.
Check street closures as your journey dates strategy to remain ready.
Places to Go
Especially if it’s your first time visiting Theodore Roosevelt National Park, ensure these locations are in your record:
The Visitor Centers
You can start your go to at certainly one of three customer facilities within the North Unit and South Units or Painted Canyon. The park unit you propose to discover most might be your information for which to decide on, however test the National Park Service’s web site for seasonal customer middle closures and building updates.
Here’s a fast synopsis of what you’ll discover at every location:
- North Unit Visitor Center: Historical displays, a bookstore, RV parking, and a theater.
- South Unit Visitor Center: Self-guided or ranger-led excursions, a bookstore, and a museum.
- Painted Canyon Visitor Center: A present store, displays, shows, and panoramic views.
The South Unit
Start your South Unit go to with the park’s iconic 48-mile scenic drive. If you propose to journey in your RV, cease by the South Unit customer middle to ask park rangers about the most effective locations to show round on this two-way paved loop.
Along the best way, take the chance to park in a number of pullouts and get out to get pleasure from vast views of the rolling badlands. Many pullouts even have informational shows and trailheads to stretch your legs and discover additional.
The North Unit
Most guests head to the South Unit first, which means the North Unit affords extra solitude if that’s what you’re on the lookout for. The 28-mile out-and-back scenic drive is a superb introduction, with the unit’s most excellent view situated about midway by means of at River Bend Overlook.
The street is generally paved and accessible to RVs and passenger automobiles, however there may be one small gravel part. You can entry loads of nature trails alongside the route, and bison might be seen all through the sunlight hours.
Elkhorn Ranch Unit
President Roosevelt selected this land to be his private ranch after the passing of his mom and spouse. As such, there’s a solemn really feel to the realm, and there are not any customer companies or park amenities within the Elkhorn Ranch Unit.
The solely strategy to entry the ranch within the outdated days was on horseback, however now you can drive alongside a street. However, the ultimate three miles require a 4×4 automobile with excessive floor clearance. Keep in thoughts, the route can turn into impassable throughout the winter and after heavy thunderstorms.
Things To Do in Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Outdoor recreation alternatives are ample on this park. Here are a few of our favorites:
Hiking
June and July are the most effective time to hike within the park to benefit from the seasonal wildflower blooms. Some wildflowers—like asters, sunflowers, and rabbitbrush—don’t bloom till August and September, and the cottonwood leaves are the final to alter in late September.
Here are a number of hikes of assorted difficulties you may discover:
- Ridgeline Trail: A average 0.6-mile nature path by means of the badlands surroundings.
- Coal Vein Trail: Choose your individual journey by tackling the 0.6-mile inside loop or 0.8-mile outer loop and find out about ecology and geology alongside the best way.
- Maah Daah Hey: The full size of this path stretches 96 miles and connects all three park models. The most accessible 14.2-mile part is within the park’s south unit.
- Prairie Dog Town through the Buckhorn Trail: Cross the Little Missouri River to discover one of many park’s largest prairie canine cities. Easily join this to sections of the Maah Daah Hey and Buckhorn trails for an extended loop hike.
Road Cycling
Road biking is among the coolest methods to expertise the park’s geologic formations and get some train whereas doing so. All the roads are open to cyclists, however bikes should stay on paved or filth roads always.
Remember that you simply’ll share the street with RVs and different automobiles. The roads might be pretty slender with a minimal shoulder. June by means of September is probably the most closely trafficked time of yr, so that you’ll must preserve a vigilant eye on different automobiles and wildlife whereas driving.
Canoeing and Kayaking
The Little Missouri River presents alternatives to see the park from a special perspective. Float journeys through canoe or kayak require a minimal river depth of two.5 ft, however a depth of three.5 ft makes for higher boating situations.
There are two and five-day itineraries alongside the river when it’s excessive sufficient for paddling, and journeys can begin when river ice breaks up (normally in early April). May and June are normally the perfect months for canoeing or kayaking on this nationwide park.
Guided Tours
The National Park Service affords numerous ranger-led excursions throughout the busier seasons. These embrace excursions of President Roosevelt’s Maltese Cross Cabin, guided hikes, night applications, and daytime ranger talks.
See a full number of excursions, dates, and accessibility on the NPS web site.
The Dakota Nights Astronomy Festival
This annual astronomy competition is among the hottest occasions in the most effective nationwide parks for stargazing. It usually happens in September of every yr and contains occasions throughout the day and after sunset.
The competition packs plenty of enjoyable into an extended weekend, with nightly telescope viewing at Peaceful Valley Ranch, tales of sky science, talks on mythology, keynote shows, and way more.
What to Bring
Use these tricks to maximize your time in Theodore Roosevelt National Park:
- No meals, fuel, lodging, or different customer companies can be found within the park. Stock up your tenting cooler or RV fridge in Medora or Watford City if tenting contained in the park.
- Carry additional water to remain hydrated or use for dishwashing, as there are not any hookups.
- The park’s animals are unpredictable. View them from a secure distance, and bear in mind – bison all the time have the appropriate of means!
- Leashed pets are welcome within the following areas: roads, street shoulders, sidewalks, campgrounds, picnic areas, and parking areas.
- Because there are not any electrical hookups, think about bringing a transportable generator or transportable energy station.
- Breathable, long-sleeved efficiency shirts and mountain climbing pants are advisable for mountain climbing in late spring and early summer time to attenuate publicity to poison ivy and ticks.
Brief History of Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Theodore Roosevelt first visited this area in 1883 with the aim of looking bison. At the time, he was a younger man hailing from New York, however his experiences within the Dakota territory would have an enduring influence on his life and profession. The hunt was a profitable one, however extra importantly the long run president fell in love with the landscapes that he discovered there. So a lot in order that he quickly purchased the Maltese Cross Ranch, situated not removed from Medora.
The area is distant and rugged, and the life-style Roosevelt skilled was strenuous. But he returned with a newfound respect and concepts that will form his conservation insurance policies for years to return. Once he turned president in 1901, those insurance policies included the institution of 5 nationwide parks, 150 nationwide forests, 51 federal chicken reserves, 18 nationwide monuments, and 4 nationwide recreation preserves.
However, his work didn’t embrace designating a nationwide park and naming it after himself. Theodore Roosevelt National Park was created by President Truman in April of 1947 and protects the legacy of President Roosevelt and the land that taught him the significance of conservation.
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Have you taken your RV to Theodore Roosevelt National Park? Share your ideas within the feedback under.
Tucker Ballister is our Technical Content Writer. He’s a lover of the open street and the proud proprietor of a 2021 Sunlite Classic journey trailer (his third RV thus far). Check out extra of his RV adventures, gear critiques, and outside recommendation at thebackpackguide.com.