Teddy Roosevelt National Park Offers Diversity
Prairie Dogs, Hiking Trails and Striking Rock Formations are Stars
Apr 30, 2009
Theodore Roosevelt often said, "Had it not been for what I learned in North Dakota, I would never in the world have been President of the United States." And if it hadn't been for Teddy Roosevelt, the Badlands of western North Dakota that attracted him so strongly and the adjacent town of Medora would assuredly not have become the state’s number one tourist attraction.
Why Roosevelt Visited North Dakota
Roosevelt first came to this land of tortuous rock formations in western Dakota Territory to hunt buffalo in 1883, and liked it so well he bought the Maltese Cross Ranch. The next year, after personal tragedy and political failures, the New York politician came back to immerse himself in his cattle operation and also bought a second ranch. He stayed until 1886, returning periodically for brief visits until 1898.
Teddy Roosevelt Park's Attractions
The Theodore Roosevelt National Park memorializes the 26th president’s enduring contributions to the conservation of our national resources. First established as a Memorial Park in 1947, the 70,448 acres of North Dakota Badlands didn’t gain national status until 31 years later in November, 1978.
The 36-mile South Unit Loop Road and the 13.7-mile North Unit Scenic Byway pass by myriad geologic phenomena -- rosy rust-red beds of burned lignite, petrified trees, grotesquely shaped sandstone slabs, sheer walls whose striations range in color from black to ochre to pale mauve. Though the terrain looks forbidding, it contains animal life galore and more than 400 identified plant species.
Animal Residents Include Bison and Prairie Dogs
There are more than 400 bison, 350 elk and 75 wild horses in the park, according to park’s interpreters. But the animals that appeal most to visitors are the prairie dogs, whose villages contain thousand of the scampering inhabitants. Although the North Unit road doesn’t pass by any prairie dog towns, the South Unit road does. Although The North and South Units are connected by the Maah-Dash-Hey Trail, entrance to the two paved roads are from two different points along U. S. Highway 94.
Hiking, Horseback and Nature Trails Offer Diversity
While touring the park by vehicle is the easiest and quickest way to see the sights, it’s even better when there’s time to hike, bike or ride horses. Hiking trails are one of the park’s most important features. Many of the eight trails in the South Unit and seven in the North have descriptive names, such as the Jones Creek Trail and the Petrified Forest Trail. Some of them, such as the Ridgeline and Caprock Coulee are self-guiding nature trails.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park is open to horse use. Visitors may bring their own horses or take rides with the park concessioner. The park trail system, except for developed nature trails, is open to horse use. Though cross-country horseback travel is also allowed, horses aren’t allowed on park roadways, in developed campgrounds or picnic areas. One campsite that allows horses is available in the South Unit (reservations required) and another group campsite that allows horses is located near the North Unit outside the park.
Three Visitor Centers Provide Park Information
The best way to find out about the trail systems is to stop at the South Unit Visitor Center, which is open year-round (8 a.m. – 4:40 p.m., except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day). The North Unit and Painted Canyon Visitors Centers are open only from April to November. Each of the Centers have bookstores, which not only contain a large selection of adults’ and children’s books, maps and trail guides, but also puppets, toys, puzzles, posters, apparel and outdoor gear.
While Medora and the park are open year-round, winter weather can be severe and some roads closed due to ice and snow. Best time to visit is in the early morning or evening from April to November when the sun's rays give the rock formations a magical glow. But however and whenever you see it, as Teddy Roosevelt would have said, "It's bully. Absolutely bully."
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