Things to do in Theodore Roosevelt National Park
A North Dakota badlands park of painted buttes, prairie grasslands, Little Missouri River bends, wildlife, and Theodore Roosevelt ranching history.
Best months: June, July, September, October
What is worth your time in Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Wind Canyon TrailDo not miss
The short rim trail gives one of the best sunset views over the Little Missouri River bends.
Hike · 45 min4.9
Painted Canyon OverlookDo not miss
This interstate-accessible overlook gives a fast, sweeping first look at the layered North Dakota badlands.
Viewpoint · 33 min4.8
South Unit Scenic Loop DriveDo not miss
The drive links badlands overlooks, prairie dog towns, wildlife habitat, and short trails in the most visited unit of the park.
Scenic Drive · 3 hr4.8
North Unit Scenic DriveDo not miss
The quieter north road reaches deeper badlands, River Bend Overlook, and excellent bison habitat.
Scenic Drive · 3 hr4.7
Buck Hill
The easy climb reaches one of the highest South Unit overlooks with broad badlands and prairie views.
Viewpoint · 45 min5
Boicourt Overlook Trail
This short path reaches a dramatic badlands overlook with excellent golden-hour color.
Hike · 45 min4.9
Caprock Coulee Trail
The loop is the North Unit signature hike through badlands formations, prairie, and rim views.
Hike · 4 hr4.9
Oxbow Overlook
The road-end overlook gives a huge view of the Little Missouri valley and badlands layers.
Viewpoint · 33 min4.9
River Bend Overlook
The historic shelter frames a sweeping bend of the Little Missouri River in the quieter North Unit.
Viewpoint · 45 min4.9
Maltese Cross Cabin
Roosevelt cabin near the visitor center anchors the park history in a tangible frontier-era place.
Ranger Program · 33 min4.8
Elkhorn Ranch Site
The remote ranch site is the quietest way to connect with Roosevelt formative time in the Dakota badlands.
Other · 1.5 hr4.7
Skyline Vista
This quick pullout offers an easy badlands panorama near the start of the South Unit drive.
Viewpoint · 23 min4.7
Petrified Forest Loop
This longer South Unit hike reaches petrified wood deposits and a quieter prairie-badlands landscape.
Hike · 5 hr4.6
Coal Vein Trail
The short loop explains the burned coal seam landscape and changing badlands geology.
Hike · 1 hr4.3
And 1 more, which the planner picks between based on your dates, pace and what you are into.
Worth knowing
- Theodore Roosevelt is famous for bison, wild horses, prairie dog towns, Painted Canyon, the South Unit Scenic Loop, the rugged North Unit, and Roosevelt history.