Established in 1978, Theodore Roosevelt National Park is a United States National Park comprising three geographically separated areas of badlands in western North Dakota. The park was named for U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt, who owned and worked for a few years on a ranch now preserved in the park. The park covers 110 square miles (285 km²) of land in three sections: the North Unit, the South Unit, and the Elkhorn Ranch.The park's larger South Unit lies alongside Interstate 94 near Medora, North Dakota. The smaller North Unit is situated about 80 mi (130 km) north of the South Unit, on U.S. Highway 85, just south of Watford City, North Dakota. Roosevelt's Elkhorn Ranch is located between the North and South units, approximately 20 mi (32 km) west of US 85 and Fairfield, North Dakota. The entire park is contained within the Little Missouri National Grassland, and the Little Missouri River flows through the park. The Maah Daah Hey Trail connects all three units.
Trails
Summary
Difficulty
Distance
White Butte - North Dakota's Highpoint
For those state peak baggers out there... here's a short fun one!
For those state peak baggers out there... here's a short fun one!
Easy
1.3 mi
2.1 km
2.1 km
Guides
For those state peak baggers out there... here's a short fun one!
Community Trips
This was my first backroad tour of the North Dakota Badlands looping north of Medora. Mostly improved gravel/scoria roads but some small two-track trails. Once fording of the Little Missouri River near the Elk Horn Ranch historic site.
We got up early from Bowman, ND and headed the wrong way towards White Butte right off the bat!... 20 minutes later we discovered we were in the wrong area and had to turn around which set us back an hour. Thankfully White Butte was a piece of cake hike only about 2 miles long. Emily and I made it to the top and back to the car in less than an...
This was a ride exploring backroads in the North Dakota badlands southeast of Medora, ND. Three of us road everything from all season scoria roads to cow trails.
Motorcycle adventure ride west and south of Medora, ND
Medora, North Dakota, United States
57.4 miles
57.4 miles
Two of us rode along west river road south of I-94 on mostly all weather scoria roads but got onto some two-track trails across the prairie. We forded the Little Missouri River in two locations.
Dirt Riders Association Badlands Rider - trail boss was Daryl BrandnerExcellent weather, great trail, lots of folks to share the ride with.
Maah Daah Hey - CR 50 Shuttle Blog
