Theodore Roosevelt National Park
A Landscape That Shaped a President
The story of Theodore Roosevelt and the Badlands is inseparable from the story of the park itself. Roosevelt first traveled to the Dakota Territory in 1883 to hunt bison. Captivated by the stark beauty and independence of the frontier, he soon invested in cattle ranching and established the nearby Elkhorn Ranch.
During these years, Roosevelt worked alongside cowboys, endured brutal winters, and experienced both triumph and hardship. The Badlands toughened him physically and spiritually—experiences he later credited with shaping his character and leadership.
Decades later, as President of the United States, Roosevelt protected more than 230 million acres of public land, helping establish America’s modern conservation movement. The national park that bears his name stands as a tribute to the place where those ideas took root.
Theodore Roosevelt on the round-up, 1885.
Just Minutes from the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library
One of the unique aspects of visiting Medora is how closely the park and the Library are connected.
The entrance to the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park is located less than one mile from downtown Medora and only a few minutes from the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library campus. Visitors can easily explore both experiences in a single day.
From the Library, guests can:
- Drive a few minutes into Medora and enter the park
- Bike along nearby trails leading toward the Badlands
- Join guided excursions and ranger programs in the area
Together, the Library and the park create a powerful journey—from Roosevelt’s story to the landscape that inspired it.
The park protects more than 70,000 acres of Badlands terrain, divided into three units along the Little Missouri River. Most visitors to Medora explore the South Unit, which offers easy access and some of the park’s most iconic views.
Highlights include:
The Scenic Loop Drive
A 36-mile route through colorful Badlands formations, sweeping prairie grasslands, and wildlife habitat.
Wildlife Viewing
Visitors regularly see American bison, wild horses, mule deer and white-tailed deer, prairie dogs, coyotes, and a wide variety of bird species.
Badlands Overlooks
Dozens of scenic pullouts reveal layered cliffs, eroded buttes, and wide-open prairie stretching toward the horizon.
Prairie Dog Towns
These lively colonies offer a close look at one of the prairie’s most charismatic animals.
Trails, Exploration, and Outdoor Adventure
For visitors looking to experience the Badlands up close, the park offers miles of trails and backcountry routes.
Popular hikes include:
- Ridgeline Trail – A short but spectacular hike with sweeping views over the Badlands.
- Wind Canyon Trail – A scenic overlook above the Little Missouri River.
- Coal Vein Trail – A unique walk through a landscape shaped by historic underground coal fires.
For more adventurous travelers, the park also connects with the legendary Maah Daah Hey Trail, widely considered one of the premier mountain biking trails in the United States.
Maltese Cross Cabin at the South Unit Visitor Center
Visitor Facilities
The park’s main visitor hub near Medora provides helpful resources to begin your adventure.
At the Theodore Roosevelt National Park South Unit Visitor Center, guests will find:
- Orientation exhibits about Roosevelt and the Badlands
- A park film introducing the landscape and its history
- Ranger-led programs and seasonal talks
- Trail maps and trip planning assistance
- A bookstore and gift shop
Park rangers are available to help visitors plan hikes, locate wildlife viewing areas, and learn more about Roosevelt’s time in the region.
Experiencing the Landscape That Inspired Conservation
Standing on a Badlands overlook, it is easy to understand why this landscape left such a deep impression on Theodore Roosevelt. The vast sky, rugged terrain, and quiet solitude offer the same sense of wonder he experienced more than 140 years ago.
When you visit Medora and the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, exploring Theodore Roosevelt National Park allows you to step directly into that story—experiencing the land that helped shape one of America’s most influential presidents and its enduring conservation legacy.