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Drive the Scenic Loop at Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Medora, North Dakota

4.6/5
based on 5 reviews

Description

Added by Joe Whitson

Take the Scenic Loop Drive through the broken landscape of the badlands. See abundant wildlife including wild horses, bison, pronghorns, and badgers and hike through prairie dog colonies.

Imagine you have been driving for hours through North Dakota. The landscape is uncompromisingly flat and there isn't so much as a tree to obscure the horizon in any direction. Then, with no warning, the topography transforms. The prairie around you crumbles, dropping down into a series of immense ravines, gullies, and hills. What was endless monochromatic grassland becomes a multihued dreamscape of rock spires and painted hills and where before you were lucky to see a stray cow, you now find herds of bison, wild horses, and pronghorns grazing along the side of the road. The badlands of North Dakota in Theodore Roosevelt National Park are unexpected and startling.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park is consistently described as "lunar," "unearthly," or "alien" and for good reason - the broken landscape feels like something out of a sci-fi novel. It takes some warming up to, but its worth getting to know.

As cool as the park is, you can pretty much see the highlights in one day by taking the Scenic Loop Drive through the South Unit of the park. If you happen to be driving through the Dakotas (like from Minneapolis to Glacier for example), this is a must see, it's so remote, I'm not sure it's a destination park. You'll enter the park in through the town of Medora, ND, a town striving to reenact some sad frontier history that never actually existed. Skip the town and head right into the park. Follow the winding road from the town and past the campground on the Little Missouri River to hit the Drive. Keep your eye out for wildlife even on this entrance road since its not unlikely you'll see bison and horses immediately upon entering the park.

The 32 mile drive loops through the park giving you access to Skyline Vista, Buck Hill, and Wind Canyon Trail. Even taking the time to hike every short spur trail along the loop, it will still probably take only a half a day to do the entire thing. Spend the rest of the day hammocking along the river, check out the nearby Painted Canyon, or trying one of the slightly longer hikes in the park. Finally, camp overnight in one of the awesome walk-in tent sites along the Little Missouri - just be prepared to navigate around the bison that hang out in the same area.

Be Prepared: Weather is extreme in North Dakota. If you visit in the Summer, be prepared for the possibility of extremely hot days - there is virtually no shade anywhere in the park. Spring brings the danger of flash floods and the park is generally inaccessible by car in Winter. None of these things, however, are a problem as long as you come prepared.

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Drive the Scenic Loop at Theodore Roosevelt National Park Reviews

Good way to see a lot of the park and see some wildlife

Theodore Roosevelt National Park is so underrated! We visited 10+ national parks on a recent road trip and we saw more wildlife in this park than any other. Drive the route just before sunset to see the bison and horses on the move. There are short trails along the route as well. It's one way.

If you take the West River Road +- six miles up the back side of the park you can go to a walkthrough gate and take the hike to the Petrified Forest. Unique spot when you can try to imagine what these 5 foot wide petrified tree stumps must have looked like when they were part of a forest! Earthcache is located at this site.

Under appreciated and starkly beautiful park.

Camping here is like the Las Vegas/NYC of nocturnal nightlife. After dark, the park buzzes with life -- owls, coyotes, and more. Say hello to all of the buffalo as they lazily munch on greens 10 feet away from you. Oh, and check out the Badlands view on your way out!

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Camp at Cottonwood Campground in Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Petrified Forest Loop

Hike up Buck Hill, Theodore Roosevelt NP

Sperati Point via Achenbach Trail

Hike to White Butte

Drive Scenic Route to Oxbow Overlook