When is the best time to visit Theodore Roosevelt National Park?

If you want fewer people, go in May, the quietest shoulder-season month. July is the busiest month on average, and December the quietest, based on NPS recreation visits for 2021–2025. Check nps.gov for seasonal road and facility closures before you go.

How much does it cost to visit Theodore Roosevelt National Park?

$30 / vehicle. An America the Beautiful annual pass covers entrance fees at every national park.

What are some things to do in Theodore Roosevelt National Park?

The National Park Service lists 23 things to do in Theodore Roosevelt National Park, including Explore the Cannonball Concretions, Hike Skyline Vista Trail, Hike up Buck Hill, Hike Wind Canyon Trail, Visit Theodore Roosevelt's Maltese Cross Cabin. Each has its own page on nps.gov with current conditions.

When did Theodore Roosevelt National Park become a national park?

Theodore Roosevelt National Park was established as a national park on November 10, 1978.

What is the closest national park to Theodore Roosevelt?

Badlands National Park, about 246 miles away in a straight line (roughly 6 hours' drive, estimated).

North Dakota · Est. 1978

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Last verified October 1, 2026$30 / vehicle

When Theodore Roosevelt came to Dakota Territory to hunt bison in 1883, he was a skinny, young, spectacled dude from New York. He could not have imagined how his adventure in this remote and unfamiliar place would forever alter the course of the nation. The rugged landscape and strenuous life that TR experienced here would help shape a conservation policy that we still benefit from today. — nps.gov

A colorfully striped butte in the foreground overlooks a dark green badlands landscape — Photo: NPS Photo / Mark Meyers

State: North Dakota
Established: November 10, 1978
Size: 70,447 acres
2025 visits: 729,893
Busiest-park rank: #33 of 63
Entrance: $30 / vehicle

Best time to visit

When is Theodore Roosevelt quiet?

Theodore Roosevelt is busiest in July and quietest in December. For a quieter visit outside the dead of the off-season, May is the quietest shoulder-season month, going by National Park Service visitor counts for 2021–2025.

In 2025 the park logged 729,893 recreation visits, the #33 busiest of the 63 national parks. Quiet months can also mean closed roads or facilities, so check current conditions before you go.

Crowd calendar, all 63 parks →Is Theodore Roosevelt open right now? →

Average visits by month

2021–2025 · NPS IRMA

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Quietest: DecemberBusiest: July

Fees & passes

What it costs to visit Theodore Roosevelt

Private vehicle$30

Motorcycle$25

Per person (on foot / bike)$15

Theodore Roosevelt annual pass$55

From the NPS fees data, checked October 1, 2026.

Visiting several parks this year? The pass calculator shows whether the America the Beautiful pass pays off.

Reservations · 2026

No park-wide reservation

The National Park Service lists no timed-entry or vehicle reservation for Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Campgrounds, tours and backcountry permits may still need booking, so check the park's plan-your-visit page.

Every park that needs a reservation in 2026 →

Things to do

Things to do in Theodore Roosevelt

The National Park Service lists 23 things to do in Theodore Roosevelt National Park, from quick stops to full-day outings. The shortest come first.

All activities →

Explore the Cannonball Concretions5-15 Minutes · All year
The cannonball concretions are an arresting and unusual geological formation. Stop at this pullout to explore their mysteries!
Hike Skyline Vista Trail5-15 Minutes · All year
Skyline Vista Trail is a great accessible introduction to Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
Hike up Buck Hill5-30 Minutes · All year
Hike to the top of Buck Hill, one of the highest points in the park, and get an amazing 360° view of the surrounding badlands!
Hike Wind Canyon Trail5-30 Minutes · All year
Wind Canyon trail is a short, moderate-difficulty trail that rewards hikers with incredible views of the Little Missouri river and the surrounding badlands.
Visit Theodore Roosevelt's Maltese Cross Cabin5-20 Minutes · All year
The Maltese Cross Cabin was Theodore Roosevelt's first home in Dakota territory. Step inside and learn about how he lived during his time in the badlands where the romance of his life began.
Hike Boicourt Trail15-30 Minutes · All year
This short hike, with its elevated perspective and accessible trail, offers a unique view of the Little Missouri Badlands that the whole family can enjoy.
Watch the Theodore Roosevelt National Park Film: Refuge of the American Spirit17 Minutes · All year
Visit one of the visitor centers and watch the Theodore Roosevelt National Park film, Refuge of the American Spirit.
Hike Coal Vein Trail30-45 Minutes · All year
Take a hike on this 0.8-mile loop and learn about the geology of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

Show all 23 things to do

Hike The Little Mo Nature Trail30-45 Minutes · All year
Hike the Painted Canyon Nature Trail30-80 Minutes · All year
Hike the Petrified Forest2-10 Hours · All year
Visit the Elkhorn Ranch Unit3-6 Hours · All year
Become a Theodore Roosevelt National Park Junior RangerAll year
Pets OK
Bike the North Unit Scenic DriveAll year
FeePets OK
Bike the South Unit Scenic DriveAll year
FeePets OK
Birding in Theodore Roosevelt National ParkAll year
Pets OK
Drive the North Unit Scenic DriveAll year
FeePets OK
Drive the South Unit Scenic DriveAll year
FeePets OK
Hiking in the North UnitAll year
Hiking in the South UnitAll year
See the Stars in Theodore Roosevelt National ParkAll year
Pets OK
Wildlife Viewing - North UnitAll year
Pets OK
Wildlife Viewing - South UnitAll year
Pets OK

From the National Park Service (checked October 1, 2026). Each title opens its nps.gov page with current conditions.

By activity

The number shows how many of the 63 national parks offer each activity.

Weather

Weather at Theodore Roosevelt

In winter, some or all park roads may be closed due to snow.

From the National Park Service.

Getting there

Getting to Theodore Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt National Park is located in the Badlands of western North Dakota. There are three units to the park. The South Unit entrance is in the town of Medora, ND off of Interstate 94 exits 24 and 27. The North Unit entrance is on Highway 85 approximately 14 miles south of Watford City, ND.

The remote Elkhorn Ranch Unit sits roughly in the middle of the North and South Units and is accessed via gravel roads. Consult park staff for directions to the Elkhorn Ranch Unit.

PO Box 7, Medora, ND, 58645 · Directions on nps.gov

Nearby

National parks near Theodore Roosevelt

Straight-line distance between park centers; drive times are rough estimates.

Closest big cities: Minneapolis (510 mi)

Road trip

Theodore Roosevelt, Badlands & Wind Cave

3 parks, about 294 miles between them (~7 h of driving, estimated).

Theodore Roosevelt is the orange dot. Tap any park to tick it off your checklist.

the Little Missouri River under blue skies — Photo: NPS Photo / Laura Thomas

A muddy river bank lined with cottonwood trees and steep buttes — Photo: NPS Photo / Laura Thomas

FAQ

Theodore Roosevelt, quickly

When is the best time to visit Theodore Roosevelt National Park?: If you want fewer people, go in May, the quietest shoulder-season month. July is the busiest month on average, and December the quietest, based on NPS recreation visits for 2021–2025. Check nps.gov for seasonal road and facility closures before you go.
How much does it cost to visit Theodore Roosevelt National Park?: $30 / vehicle. An America the Beautiful annual pass covers entrance fees at every national park.
Do you need a reservation for Theodore Roosevelt National Park in 2026?: The National Park Service lists no park-wide timed-entry or vehicle reservation for Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Campgrounds, tours and some popular hikes may still need bookings, so check the park's plan-your-visit page.
What are some things to do in Theodore Roosevelt National Park?: The National Park Service lists 23 things to do in Theodore Roosevelt National Park, including Explore the Cannonball Concretions, Hike Skyline Vista Trail, Hike up Buck Hill, Hike Wind Canyon Trail, Visit Theodore Roosevelt's Maltese Cross Cabin. Each has its own page on nps.gov with current conditions.
When did Theodore Roosevelt National Park become a national park?: Theodore Roosevelt National Park was established as a national park on November 10, 1978.
What is the closest national park to Theodore Roosevelt?: Badlands National Park, about 246 miles away in a straight line (roughly 6 hours' drive, estimated).

Sources · 3

1.Theodore Roosevelt National Park — official site · National Park Service
2.NPS Data API — /parks (all park units) · National Park Service (U.S. Department of the Interior)
3.Theodore Roosevelt National Park — Visitor Use Statistics · National Park Service (IRMA)

About this page

Park facts, photos, fees and visitor counts come from the National Park Service (NPS Data API and Visitor Use Statistics), last checked October 1, 2026. Park'd is an independent app and is not affiliated with the National Park Service. For official, current information, visit nps.gov/thro.

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Theodore Roosevelt National Park