How to Plan a Trip to Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Theodore Roosevelt National Park memorializes the 26th president of the United States. Theodore Roosevelt spent a portion of his life on a cattle ranch he purchased in present day North Dakota. It is said that his time in the Dakota Territories influenced his philosophy regarding environmental conservation. If you are planning a trip soon, you should plan on visiting Theodore Roosevelt National Park to explore its rich cultural history and biological diversity.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Wildlife Viewing
   
   Plan on spending time viewing the abundant wildlife in Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Many animal species live within the park, such as, bison, mule deer, elk, antelope, feral horses, longhorns, white-tail deer, bobcats, golden eagles, and more. When viewing wildlife, abide by the park’s regulations and do not approach the wild animals. If you get too close you may be injured by the frightened animals.

2. Guided Tours
   
   Plan on participating in a guided tour or activity during your trip to Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Park rangers host various cultural and natural history talks, hikes, and campfire programs. Explore the badlands with a local expert to gain a greater appreciation of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Consult the visitor centers, park bulletin boards, and park website, for current activity schedules.

3. Accommodations
   
   Decide how much money you want to budget for your accommodations. When planning a trip to Theodore Roosevelt National Park, you can camp or stay in a nearby motel. There are three campgrounds in Theodore Roosevelt National Park that offer different amenities. Choose your campground based on your needs. Two of the campgrounds have tent, camper and RV sites. The third campground can accommodate large groups of people and horses. Consult the park website or visitor centers for campground regulations and fees.

4. Operating Season
   
   Check the Theodore Roosevelt National Park website or call the visitor centers to find out when the park is open for visitors. Some roads are closed during the winter due to the weather, so call in advance for accurate and current information. The visitor centers are open year-round, but the hours are limited during the winter. The campgrounds are also open year-round, but have limited services from October to mid-May.

5. Additional Information
   
   Look online and in books for additional information as you plan your trip to Theodore Roosevelt National Park. See the Resources section below for links to additional information.

Resources

• Explore! Theodore Roosevelt National Park: A Guide to Exploring the Roads, Trails, River, and Canyons
• Theodore Roosevelt National Park