Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Theodore Roosevelt National Park is a national park in Billings County, North Dakota, spanning roughly 285 square kilometers and divided into three units: North Unit, South Unit, and Elkhorn Ranch Unit. Each unit reveals eroded hills, flat prairies, and the Little Missouri River winding through deep valleys.

Roosevelt came to North Dakota in September 1883 to hunt bison and invested 14,000 dollars in the Maltese Cross Ranch. After his years as a rancher, he later founded the United States Forest Service and created many protected areas.

The name recalls the years Theodore Roosevelt spent in the Badlands, where he learned to protect nature. Visitors today see bison and wild horses moving freely across terrain Roosevelt himself knew and loved.

Three developed campgrounds offer overnight stays, while roughly 100 miles (160 kilometers) of trails run through the different units. Many paths are also open to riders on their own horses or rented animals.

Geological layers from roughly 65 million years ago form colorful rocks glowing in red, yellow, and gray. These formations arose when volcanic activity and erosion shaped the terrain long before humans entered the region.

Location: Billings County

Inception: 1978

Operator: National Park Service

Website: https://nps.gov/thro

GPS coordinates: 46.96667,-103.45000

Latest update: December 12, 2025 18:01