Rate Theodore Roosevelt National Park
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Our Mission
The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The Park Service cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I obtain a park entrance pass?
Only 118 of your 417 park sites charge entrance fees. You can obtain park entrance passes by visiting a park site that charges an entrance fee. Entrance fee sites have passes available; we recommend calling a park prior to your visit. (See the park search to locate a specific park.) There are a number of entrance passes available, including park-specific passes as well as passes that offer entrance to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites in addition to the national parks (Annual, Military, Senior, 4th Grade, Access, and Volunteer passes). Learn more about the America the Beautiful – The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass.
About this location:
National Park
Operating Hours & Seasons
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Theodore Roosevelt National Park is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Even when entrance stations and visitor centers are closed, the park itself remains open.
Standard Hours
- Sunday:Open 24 hours
- Monday:Open 24 hours
- Tuesday:Open 24 hours
- Wednesday:Open 24 hours
- Thursday:Open 24 hours
- Friday:Open 24 hours
- Saturday:Open 24 hours
Park Districts
Theodore Roosevelt National Park North Unit
The North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year. The North Unit remains open even when the entrance station and visitor center are closed.
Standard Hours
- Sunday:Open 24 hours
- Monday:Open 24 hours
- Tuesday:Open 24 hours
- Wednesday:Open 24 hours
- Thursday:Open 24 hours
- Friday:Open 24 hours
- Saturday:Open 24 hours
Theodore Roosevelt National Park South Unit
The South Unit is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year. The South Unit remains open even when the entrance station and visitor center are closed.
Standard Hours
- Sunday:Open 24 hours
- Monday:Open 24 hours
- Tuesday:Open 24 hours
- Wednesday:Open 24 hours
- Thursday:Open 24 hours
- Friday:Open 24 hours
- Saturday:Open 24 hours
Theodore Roosevelt National Park Elkhorn Ranch Unit
The Elkhorn Ranch Unit is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
Standard Hours
- Sunday:Open 24 hours
- Monday:Open 24 hours
- Tuesday:Open 24 hours
- Wednesday:Open 24 hours
- Thursday:Open 24 hours
- Friday:Open 24 hours
- Saturday:Open 24 hours
Fees & Passes
Entrance Fees:
- $25.00 – Vehicle Entrance Fee
Entrance to all units of Theodore Roosevelt National Park for one private, non-commercial vehicle and its occupants for 7 days. - $20.00 – Motorcycle Entrance Fee
Entrance to all units of Theodore Roosevelt National Park for one motorcycle and its riders for 7 days. - $12.00 – Non-motorized Individual Entrance Fee
Per-person fee grants access for individuals on foot, bicycle, or horseback to all units of Theodore Roosevelt National Park for 7 days. - $25.00 – Commercial Vehicle 1-6 Passenger Capacity
Entrance to all units of Theodore Roosevelt National Park for one 1-6 passenger capacity commercial vehicle and its occupants for 7 days. **Additional fee of $12 per person in addition to the $25 Commercial Vehicle fee. - $50.00 – Commercial Vehicle 7-15 Passenger Capacity
Entrance to all units of Theodore Roosevelt National Park for one 7-15 passenger capacity commercial vehicle and its occupants for 7 days. - $60.00 – Commercial Vehicle 16-25 Passenger Capacity
Entrance to all units of Theodore Roosevelt National Park for a 16-25 passenger capacity commercial vehicle and its occupants for 7 days. - $150.00 – Commercial Vehicle 25+ Passenger Capacity
Entrance to all units of Theodore Roosevelt National Park for one 25+ passenger capacity commercial vehicle and its occupants for 7 days.
Entrance Passes:
- $50.00 – Theodore Roosevelt National Park Annual Pass
Entrance to all units of Theodore Roosevelt National Park for one year from month of purchase. Admits pass holder and passengers in a single, private, non-commercial vehicle, or the pass holder and his/her immediate family (spouse, children, parents) when entry is by other means (foot, bicycle, etc.).
About
In Honor of a President
When Theodore Roosevelt came to Dakota Territory to hunt bison in 1883, he was a skinny, young, spectacled dude from New York. He could not have imagined how his adventure in this remote and unfamiliar place would forever alter the course of the nation. The rugged landscape and strenuous life that TR experienced here would help shape a conservation policy that we still benefit from today.
Directions
Theodore Roosevelt National Park is located in the Badlands of western North Dakota. There are three units to the park. The South Unit entrance is in the town of Medora, ND off of Interstate 94 exits 24 and 27. The North Unit entrance is on Highway 85 approximately 14 miles south of Watford City, ND. The remote Elkhorn Ranch Unit sits roughly in the middle of the North and South Units and is accessed via gravel roads. Consult park staff for directions to the Elkhorn Ranch Unit.
Visitor Centers
South Unit Visitor Center
Rangers staff the desk, assist visitors with trip planning, and issue backcountry permits. Theodore Roosevelt’s Maltese Cross Cabin located just outside is open for ranger-guided tours in summer and self-guided tours during the rest of the year. The park film, Refuge of the American Spirit, shows in the theater every half hour. A bookstore sells books, postcards, and other memorabilia. A museum houses artifacts from Theodore Roosevelt’s presidency and time in the badlands. North Unit Visitor Contact Station
Park information, informal presentations, restroom and gift shop are all available at this location. The trailers at the park entrance serve as a temporary contact station for visitors to the North Unit. Painted Canyon Visitor Center
Features: Panoramic views Wildlife viewing Hiking trails Staffed information desk Exhibits and displays Theodore Roosevelt Nature and History Association Bookstore Picnic shelters Restrooms Drinking fountain Vending machines Public telephone Visitor center, overlook, picnic area, and restrooms are wheelchair accessible
Weather
In winter, some or all park roads may be closed due to snow.
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