Theodore Roosevelt National Park — Visitor Info

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Theodore Roosevelt National Park preserves the rugged North Dakota badlands where Roosevelt ranched as a young man, along with bison, wild horses, and prairie dog towns. The park is split into three separate units — South, North, and the undeveloped Elkhorn Ranch — spread across the Little Missouri River badlands.

Page content last verified: July 2026

Before you go: The South Unit (Medora) and North Unit (near Watford City) are about 70 miles apart and are not directly connected by a park road. Decide which unit(s) you're visiting and plan your route between them accordingly. Check the official Alerts & Conditions page for current closures.
Quick Facts
Location
Western North Dakota (South Unit, North Unit, Elkhorn Ranch Unit)
Entrance Fee
$30/vehicle, $25/motorcycle, $15/person (7 days)
Reservation Needed to Enter?
No
Permit Needed For
Backcountry/backpack camping (free permit)
Lodging
Cottonwood & Juniper Campgrounds; Roundup Group Horse Camp
Managed By
National Park Service

Three Units, Not Directly Connected

The South Unit (entrance in Medora, right off I-94) is the most-visited and has the most facilities. The North Unit (about 15 minutes south of Watford City) is quieter, with dramatic river-bend overlooks. The Elkhorn Ranch Unit, the site of Roosevelt's home ranch, has no visitor facilities and is reached via unpaved roads. The South and North Units are roughly 70 miles apart by road and are not connected within the park — plan your route between them on outside roads.

Visitor Centers

South Unit Visitor Center (Medora)
At the South Unit entrance — exhibits, park film, and the trailhead area for the scenic loop drive.
North Unit Visitor Center
Near Watford City — exhibits and access to the North Unit scenic drive along the Little Missouri River.

Confirm current hours on the official NPS hours page.

Entrance Fees & Passes

The entrance fee is $30 per vehicle or $25 per motorcycle, both valid 7 days; visitors on foot or bike pay $15 per person. A Theodore Roosevelt National Park Annual Pass ($55) covers unlimited entry for a year. Fees are collected at entrance stations May through September and at visitor centers the rest of the year; self-pay stations are available when both are closed.

Every Kid Outdoors — Free 4th Grade Pass

4th graders (and their families) can visit free with an Every Kid Outdoors pass, available at everykidoutdoors.gov.

Permits & Reservations

Day use — scenic drives, overlooks, day hikes — doesn't require a permit.

Backcountry Camping

Hikers and horseback riders who want to camp overnight in the backcountry can get a free Backcountry Permit at the North or South Unit Visitor Center. There are no developed backcountry campsites or facilities.

Campgrounds & RV Options

Both campgrounds are primitive — no hookups, no showers — but do accept RVs of appropriate size. All sites are by reservation on Recreation.gov (up to 6 months ahead); the park cannot book sites directly.

Cottonwood Campground (South Unit)
Standard sites plus a group site, near the South Unit entrance. Reservation required.
Juniper Campground (North Unit)
Standard sites plus a group site along the river. As of May 2026, all sites require a Recreation.gov reservation — no more first-come-first-served.
Roundup Group Horse Camp
Group site for camping with horses. Reservation required; opens each year on the first business day of March.

Good to Know

  • Bison and wild horses roam freely — keep a safe distance (at least 25 yards) and never approach for photos.
  • Prairie dog towns along the South Unit loop road are a highlight for families and easy to view from pullouts.
  • The South and North Units feel different — South Unit is closer to Medora's tourist amenities; North Unit is quieter with striking river-bend views.
  • Elkhorn Ranch requires planning — unpaved access roads and no facilities on site.

More National Parks

See our other National Park visitor guides, or browse the full National Parks guide.

Fees and regulations change from year to year. This page is a starting point for trip planning — always confirm current details on the official Theodore Roosevelt National Park site before you go.

Sources: NPS – Fees & Passes · NPS – Camping · NPS – Alerts & Conditions