Established in 1978, Theodore Roosevelt National Park is a United States National Park comprising two geographically separated areas of badlands in western North Dakota. The park was named for President Theodore Roosevelt, who owned and worked for a few years on a ranch now preserved in the park. The park covers 110 mi² (285 km²) of land in two sections, the main southern portion of the park and the smaller remote Elk Ranch section. The Little Missouri National Grasslands lie between the two units of the park, and includes a hiking trail between them.

The park's south unit lies alongside Interstate 94 near Medora, North Dakota. The northern unit is situated about 130 km (80 miles) north along U.S. Highway 85, near Watford City, North Dakota. The Little Missouri River flows through the park.

History

The Little Missouri Badlands were explored in 1924 to determine possible park sites. Civilian Conservation Corps camps were set up in both of the future park units in 1934. The area was designated the Roosevelt Recreation Demonstration Area in 1935. In 1946 it was transferred to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service as the Theodore Roosevelt National Wildlife Refuge. It was established as the Theodore Roosevelt National Memorial Park on April 25, 1947 and finally became a national park in 1978. 29,920 acres (121.1 km²) of the park was preserved as a wilderness area.

Attractions

Both units of the park have scenic drives, dozens of miles of foot and horse trails and allow back country hiking and camping. There are three automobile campgrounds, two in the South Unit. Bison are usually visible from the scenic drives, often grazing by the road side.

The park displays spectacular seasonal variations in scenery. Plants sprout in the spring and moisture accentuates stria of green, blue, red and white. The color is dominated by red scoria in the summer and by golden brown grasslands in the fall. Winter is almost devoid of color and the landscape is covered with a thin layer of snow.

The park is well suited to back country hikers and permits can be obtained at either park office. It is possible to hike for days without seeing or hearing another human or evidence of development. The park units are mostly surrounded by BLM grasslands. The area has very dark skys with excellent star gazing and northern lights displays. However, the conditions are harsh, with little or no natural water, summer temperatures can stay above 95 °F (35 °C) and winter temperatures below -20 °F (-30 °C) for extended periods. The bison can be very dangerous, especially during springtime calving. They have been known to destroy automobiles when drivers harrased them.

A large variety of wild animals can be spotted, including; buffalo (bison), elk, pronghorn, prairie dogs, coyotes, wild horses, Elk, Bighorn sheep, and wild turkey. Bison and Bighorn sheep were reintroduced into the South unit in 1956, some 75 years after they had been extirpated.

The entire unit park has been surrounded with barbed wire to keep bison separated from commercial livestock. The North Unit was fenced by 1962 when bison were reintroduced there. The park has a capacity for about 500 bison and relies on roundups to keep their numbers below this number. Captured bison are sold or go to other parks or to Native Americans. Wild horses are kept to a level of about 100 in the park through occasional roundups.

External links

• Official site: Theodore Roosevelt National Park
• Theodore Roosevelt National Park
• Photos of Theodore Roosevelt National Park - Terra Galleria