Theodore Roosevelt National Park

We spent two nights and days wandering around the south unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

Julie ready for our next hike

This is a drive-by park for some as Interstate 94 runs right along the south edge of the south unit. In the past we had stopped at the Painted Canyon overlook that is part of the park but is more like a rest stop with a nature walk and a beautiful overlook.

View of the Little Missouri near our campsite

Our campsite was along the Little Missouri and felt secluded from the other sites. I booked it maybe three months ago and it was one of the only spots available. This is a typical NPS campground with no hookups, decent bathrooms, and no showers.

Prairie dogs having a town meeting

As soon as you enter the park you start to see the prairie dog towns. The towns are vast and the little dogs are everywhere.

Julie hiking on our grey misty day

Our full day at the park was cloudy and often rainy, denying us of some of the blue sky contrasting with painted terrain landscapes we were hoping for. We did the scenic route as far as we could go; the final 10 miles or so (going clockwise) is closed for construction. We did several short hikes: Wind Canyon, Boicourt Overlook, Coal Vein.

Bison in the colorful field

Besides the prairie doggies we saw a lot of bison, a few pronghorn. I also spotted a few birds that I was able to track (not necessarily see) for the first time: orange-crowned warbler, cedar waxwing, and the clay-colored sparrow.

Overall this is a good-not-great park. Way better than the Indiana Dunes and Cuyahogas, but doesn’t measure up to the southern Utah or California parks. We hope to return and explore the more remote north unit.