Badlands scenery in three separate units where Theodore Roosevelt once ranched, with free-roaming bison, wild horses, and prairie dog towns.

Park Pass

Join the National Parks Club

A single day covers one unit's scenic loop, while 1 to 2 lets you visit more than one of the park's three separate units.

No special permit is required to enter.

Medora is the main gateway town, right at the park's South Unit entrance.

The entrance fee is $30/vehicle (7-day), or purchase a National Parks Yearly Pass.

Why Visit?:

Theodore Roosevelt protects badlands scenery across three separate units where Theodore Roosevelt himself once ranched, an experience that shaped his lifelong conservation legacy. Free-roaming bison, wild horses, and prairie dog towns make wildlife sightings a near-guarantee here, often right from the scenic drive.

Because the park is genuinely tied to Roosevelt's personal history — including a reconstructed cabin from his actual ranch — it offers more historical depth than its badlands scenery alone might suggest.

Things to Do:

Driving the South Unit's scenic loop road is the essential visit, with regular bison and wild horse sightings and colorful badlands overlooks throughout. The Maltese Cross Cabin, Roosevelt's actual ranch cabin (relocated to the visitor center), adds genuine historical context to the drive.

If you have extra time, the more remote North Unit sees far fewer visitors and offers its own dramatic badlands scenery, including the aptly named Oxbow Overlook.

Get the Full Itinerary

Closest airports: Dickinson Theodore Roosevelt Regional Airport (DIK) is closest to the South Unit; Bismarck Municipal Airport (BIS), about 2 hours away, offers more flight options.

Nearby Attractions:

Medora itself is a charming small Western town with a summer outdoor musical and Old West-style dining, worth an evening beyond the park visit.