At the Little Missouri River in North Dakota, the badlands and grasslands converge at Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Teeming with bison and prairie dogs, as well as elk and wild horses, this land has eroded into several formations of clay and sandstone, covered with native grass. It is no wonder that Theodore Roosevelt himself was in love with this gorgeous location.
On our Summer 2019 RV Road Trip, we had briefly considered a detour to Teddy Roosevelt National Park, as we were visiting nearby South Dakota. At that point of our trip, the kids were not thrilled about an added drive, so we decided not to visit. From that moment on, Theodore Roosevelt National Park had lived in family lore, especially for Justin, who really wanted to visit.
On our Summer 2020 RV Road Trip, we were thrilled to make it to Theodore Roosevelt National Park, which had eluded us the summer prior. We arrived in the sweet little town of Medora, the gateway to the National Park, in the afternoon after driving from Red Lodge, Montana.
Upon entering the park, our family set off to explore for the day. We began our day at the Visitor Center, where we were able to see an original cabin inhabited by Teddy Roosevelt, and also view a short film about the park. From there, we set out to drive the Scenic Loop, which led us through the entire South Unit of the park. Along the way, we enjoyed all the major attractions.
Prarie Dog Town
Skyline Vista Hike
Wind Canyon Trail Hike
Boicourt Trail Hike and Buck Hill Hike
In addition to being the gateway to Theodore Roosevelt National Park, the town of Medora, North Dakota is famous for its musical, the Medora Musical. Our family had arranged tickets to see the musical on that evening of our stay, and we all really enjoyed it. The Medora Musical is a fantastic, patriotic ode to the history of Medora, North Dakota, and Teddy Roosevelt, and a must-do for any family visiting the area.
