Wilderness Theodore Roosevelt park
Wilderness Theodore Roosevelt
Reasons to Visit:
1. Natural Beauty: The park showcases the rugged Badlands landscape, with its iconic buttes, canyons, and colorful rock formations. The vast expanses of prairie, forests, and rivers offer a glimpse into the untouched wilderness of North Dakota.
2. Wildlife: Theodore Roosevelt National Park is home to a diverse array of wildlife species. Visitors may spot bison, wild horses, pronghorn antelope, elk, deer, bighorn sheep, coyotes, and numerous bird species. The park is also known for its population of prairie dogs.
3. Historical Significance: This area played a crucial role in shaping Theodore Roosevelt's conservationist policies. Visitors can learn about his life and legacy at the park's visitor centers and historic sites, including Roosevelt's Elkhorn Ranch, which he owned and operated during his time in North Dakota.
Points of Interest:
1. Scenic Drives: The park offers several scenic drives, such as the 36-mile-long loop road through the South Unit, which provides stunning views of the Badlands and opportunities for wildlife viewing.
2. Hiking Trails: With over 100 miles of trails, visitors can explore the park's diverse landscapes on foot. The Petrified Forest Loop Trail, Wind Canyon Trail, and Caprock Coulee Trail are among the most popular hiking routes.
3. Sully Creek State Recreation Area: Located near the park, this area offers camping, fishing, and horseback riding opportunities. It serves as a gateway to the national park.
Interesting Facts:
1. Theodore Roosevelt first visited the Dakota Territory in 1883 to hunt bison. The experience shaped his passion for conservation and led him to establish the park.
2. The park is divided into three units: the North Unit, the South Unit, and the Elkhorn Ranch Unit. Each unit has its own distinct landscapes and features.
3. The prairie dog is considered a keystone species in the park, as its burrows provide shelter for other animals like burrowing owls and black-footed ferrets.
Best Time to Visit:
The best time to visit Theodore Roosevelt National Park is from late spring to early fall. During this period, the weather is generally pleasant, with temperatures ranging from 60°F to 85°F (15°C to 30°C). Wildlife is more active, and wildflowers are in bloom. However, summers can be hot, so it's advisable to carry sun protection and ample water. Fall offers stunning foliage colors, while winter brings a serene and peaceful atmosphere, with the possibility of snow-covered landscapes.
Please note that it's always recommended to verify this information across multiple independent sources to ensure accuracy, as conditions may change over time.
Park & land designation reference
A quick legend for the federal and state land categories Snoflo tracks. Each designation comes with different rules around access, recreation, and resource extraction.
- National Park
- Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
- State Park
- Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
- Local Park
- Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
- Wilderness Area
- The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized motorized access permitted.
- National Recreation Area
- Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing, often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes); may allow more development.
- National Conservation Area (BLM)
- BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
- State Forest
- State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
- Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
- Vast federal lands managed for mixed use -- recreation, grazing, mining, conservation -- with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Plan your visit down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Area campgrounds
Snoflo-tracked campgrounds within reach of Wilderness Theodore Roosevelt, with reservations status.
| Campground | Reservations | Toilets | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cottonwood - Theodore Roosevelt National Park | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Medora City Rv Campground | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Medora City Campground | ✓ | ✗ | → |
| Sully Creek State Park Campground | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Sully Creek State Rec Area | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Roundup Horse Group Campground | ✗ | ✗ | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest parks, lakes, fishing spots, and POIs so a park visit can grow into a full weekend.
Responsible recreation & Leave No Trace
- Know before you go
- Check the operator's site for hours, permit requirements, seasonal closures, and fire restrictions before heading out.
- Stay on trail
- Stick to marked paths to protect vegetation, prevent erosion, and avoid disturbing wildlife habitat.
- Respect wildlife
- Observe from a distance, never feed wildlife, and store food securely if camping is permitted on-site.
- Pack it in, pack it out
- Carry out all trash, food scraps, and gear. Many parks have limited or no trash service.
- Leave what you find
- Don't take rocks, plants, or artifacts. They make the park what it is for the next visitor.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save Wilderness Theodore Roosevelt as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, freezing temperatures, fire-restriction days), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
About Wilderness Theodore Roosevelt
What can I do at Wilderness Theodore Roosevelt?
Most Snoflo-tracked parks support hiking, picnicking, and wildlife viewing. Check the operator's site for activity-specific rules (camping, fishing, paddling, hunting).
How fresh is the weather data?
The hourly forecast updates throughout the day from NOAA / yr.no. Streamflow comes live from USGS streamgauges.
When is the best time to visit?
Use the 15-day temperature & precipitation outlook on this page to plan -- pick a window with comfortable temperatures and low precipitation.
How do I get to Wilderness Theodore Roosevelt?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions in Google Maps, or Open in map to center the Snoflo interactive map on the park.
Can I get alerts when conditions change?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this park, set a threshold (temperature, precipitation), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.
Other parks near here
Snoflo-tracked parks within driving distance of Wilderness Theodore Roosevelt.