Top Attractions in Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Theodore Roosevelt National Park Essentials

This selection highlights the essential landmarks within the North and South Units of North Dakota’s Badlands. It features geological sites like Scoria Point and the Painted Canyon, alongside historic locations such as the Elkhorn Ranch site and the 1884 Rough Riders Hotel. Visitors can explore Civilian Conservation Corps-era architecture at Riverbend Overlook or learn about regional ranching and rodeo history at the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame in the gateway town of Medora.

M. Readey / CC BY-SA 3.0

Theodore Roosevelt Painted Canyon Visitor Center

Located off Interstate 94, this center features panoramic Badlands views, geological exhibits, and access to the Painted Canyon Nature Trail.

Michael Holley / CC0

Theodore Roosevelt Memorial National Park

Spanning over 70,000 acres, this park preserves the landscape where Theodore Roosevelt ranched. It includes a 36-mile scenic loop and habitat for bison and wild horses.

Oxbow Overlook

Situated at the end of the North Unit Scenic Drive, this viewpoint overlooks a sharp meander in the Little Missouri River.

Riverbend Overlook

Site of a historic stone shelter constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, overlooking the river valley.

Buck Hill Lookout

A short trail leads to the highest accessible point in the South Unit, offering 360-degree views of the surrounding prairie.

Boicourt Overlook

Vantage point providing expansive views of the South Unit's plateau and erosion patterns, particularly during sunset.

Elkhorn Ranch State Historic Site

The location of Roosevelt’s 1884 ranch. Only the original foundation stones remain along the banks of the Little Missouri River.

Rough Riders Hotel

Historic Medora hotel built in 1884. It houses a specialized library containing several hundred volumes regarding Theodore Roosevelt.

North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame

Museum and interpretive center documenting North Dakota’s ranching history, rodeo heritage, and Native American culture.

Acroterion / CC BY-SA 4.0

Chimney Park

The De Mores Packing Plant Ruins near Medora in Billings County, North Dakota, is a historic site listed on the National Register of…

Scoria Point Overlook

Geological site featuring red clinker, or scoria, created by underground coal fires baking the clay layers into natural brick.

Badlands Overlook

Vantage point on the South Unit Scenic Loop showcasing the rugged topography and multi-colored sedimentary layers.