Theodore Roosevelt National Park, South Unit
4.8(814)google
4.6(145)yelp
CanyonBisonWild HorsesHiking TrailCampingWildlife WatchingScenic LookoutMust-See
Overview
Theodore Roosevelt National Park is a national park of the United States in the badlands of western North Dakota. Comprising three geographically separated areas and the only American national park named after a single person, it pays homage to the time that President Theodore Roosevelt spent in the surrounding area and in the Dakota Territories before they were states. Roosevelt lived in the area after his mother and wife died hours apart on February 14, 1884.
Practical Info
Every dayOpen 24 hours
Suggested Duration0.5-1 day
Best TimeMay through October represents the prime seasonal window. Driving the park's famous 36-mile Scenic Loop Drive during the evening sunset from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM is highly recommended; the fading twilight silhouettes the jagged canyon walls, transforming the striped bentonite clay ridges into a shimmering palette of fiery crimson.
Getting ThereThe South Unit gateway perfectly intersects the eastern edge of Medora. Driving a personal vehicle is required as no public transit routes serve the interior loops. Pass through Medora via Pacific Ave, follow the park brown signs left, and park inside the main South Unit Visitor Center lots before entering the scenic loop road.
Travel Tips
- The 36-mile Scenic Loop Drive suffers chronic geological collapse and structural shifting, forcing active single-lane closures; oversized RVs must strictly adhere to low speed limits.
- The primary Cottonwood Campground enforces a strict 100% online advance reservation policy during peak summer; zero daily walk-up sites are retained, and unreserved rigs will be turned away.
- The extensive prairie dog towns are active sylvatic plague monitoring zones; federally feeding or touching wildlife is illegal, and violators face heavy fines from patrolling rangers.
Reviews
Positive
- The South Unit scenery is spectacular; the 36-mile scenic loop drive is perfectly laid out with postcard-perfect vistas at every turn.
- It is the premier spot to watch thousands of chirping prairie dogs at their town loops, making it highly fun for kids.
- The visitor center is immaculate with a high-definition theater, offering great accessible restrooms and warm ranger guidance.
- Directly adjacent to historic Medora, access is simple and high-value; watching the sunset flare over the craggy ridges is unforgettable.
Heads up
- As the most popular hub, prime scenic overlooks like Painted Canyon face heavy visitor crowds during sunny summer weekends.
- A section of the main loop remains barricaded due to severe geological erosion landslides, preventing a complete circuit drive.
- Prairie dog zones feature heavily burrowed dry sod where summer horseflies and rattlesnakes occasionally sunbathe, requiring caution.
- The primitive Cottonwood camp loops lack dedicated electric hookups for luxury RV rigs, and shower waits get long at night.