Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Been Here Life List

Loop Drive in Theodore Roosevelt National Park (Phil Schermeister/National Geographic/Getty)

"I never would have been President if it had not been for my experiences in North Dakota," Theodore Roosevelt once remarked when reflecting on the influences that affected him throughout his life. Here, too, many of Roosevelt's attitudes about and interest in nature and conservation were sharpened and refined. Read More »

Theodore Roosevelt National Park Highlights

For those with navigation skills, the opportunities for cross-country travel are a park highlight. For those who prefer the beaten path, the South Unit has a more substantial network of long-distance trails.
Backcountry camping permits are available in the North Unit and South Unit visitor centers. There are no established campsites, so use the open terrain to your advantage, and pick a good one (keeping in mind Leave No Trace ethics).
Some of the best mountain biking in the country is located all around Theodore Roosevelt National Park, although not technically within it. Off-road biking is banned in the park, but the Maah Daah Hey Trail's 96 miles of singletrack run through the Badlands and Little Missouri National Grassland, connecting the park's northern and southern units.
Pack plenty of water and a good water filter for a trip on the Maah Daah Hey Trail. Water is in short supply along the trail, and it is usually far from potable. Even water from the wells at the campsites can benefit from filtering.

By Travel Expert: Brian Kevin