Badlands National Park
1.2 million visitors annually, most concentrated along the 30-mile Loop Road. Overlooks crowded at sunrise and sunset. Ben Reifel Visitor Center parking overflows. The dramatic formations are genuine, but Badlands has become a must-stop on every Black Hills itinerary, and it shows.
How They Compare
Why Consider Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Theodore Roosevelt National Park in western North Dakota protects the badlands along the Little Missouri River - the landscape that transformed a young Theodore Roosevelt from an eastern elite into a conservationist. The painted canyons and eroded buttes rival Badlands National Park in drama. But Theodore Roosevelt adds what Badlands lacks: bison herds, wild horses, prairie dog towns, and the solitude that defined Roosevelt's Dakota years. With 800,000 visitors versus Badlands' 1.2 million, and those visitors split between two separate units, the uncrowded experience approaches what Roosevelt himself knew.
Who Should Choose Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Wildlife watchers
Bison, wild horses, and active prairie dog towns. Better wildlife than Badlands.
History enthusiasts
The landscape that shaped TR's conservation ethic. His cabin and ranching sites preserved.
I-94 travelers
Right off the interstate between Minneapolis and the Montana parks.
Solitude seekers
Fewer visitors and two separate units mean less crowding than Badlands.
Highlights
What makes Theodore Roosevelt worth choosing.
Painted Canyon
The first view of the park from I-94, overlooking colorful badlands stretching to the horizon.
Wild Horse Viewing
The South Unit protects wild horses descended from Native American and ranch stock. Unique among national parks.
Prairie Dog Towns
Active colonies visible from the road. The prairie dogs chirp warnings while bison graze nearby.
Maltese Cross Cabin
Theodore Roosevelt's original ranch cabin, preserved near the visitor center. Walk where TR walked.
Insider Advice
- The park has two main units plus a remote third unit. The South Unit is most accessible from I-94.
- Medora, at the South Unit entrance, is a small Western town with lodging, restaurants, and a summer musical.
- Wild horses are most visible in the South Unit. Ask rangers for recent sighting locations.
- The North Unit is an hour from the South Unit but less visited and equally scenic.
- Summer temperatures can exceed 100°F. Morning and evening are best for wildlife and comfort.