The best hikes in Theodore Roosevelt National Park range from short canyon overlooks you can finish in ten minutes to the demanding 10-mile Petrified Forest Loop, so nearly every visitor can match a trail to their time and fitness. The park spreads across two units in the North Dakota badlands, and each has a distinct set of trails through eroded buttes, cottonwood bottoms, and open prairie where bison, wild horses, and prairie dogs are part of the scenery.
Where are the best hikes in Theodore Roosevelt National Park?
The park has two hiking areas about an hour apart. The South Unit, reached from Medora off Interstate 94, holds the most popular and accessible trails plus the 36-mile scenic loop road. The remote North Unit, off US Highway 85 near Watford City, offers quieter, more rugged hiking with dramatic river overlooks. A separate, roadless Elkhorn Ranch Unit preserves Roosevelt's ranch site. Together the units protect more than 80 miles of trails. If you only have one day, base yourself in the South Unit; for solitude and bigger views, drive north. You can compare it with other national parks to plan a longer trip.
What are the best easy hikes in the South Unit?
The Painted Canyon Nature Trail is a short but steep 0.9-mile loop that drops off the rim near the Painted Canyon Visitor Center into colorfully banded badlands. The Wind Canyon Trail is a quick 0.4-mile walk to one of the park's best overlooks above a bend in the Little Missouri River, and it is a favorite at sunset. The Coal Vein Trail is a 0.8-mile interpretive loop over ground once heated by an underground coal seam, and the Boicourt Overlook Trail is a flat, roughly half-mile out-and-back to a sweeping panorama. These short trails deliver a lot of scenery for little effort.
What are the best hikes in the North Unit?
The Caprock Coulee Nature Trail is a 1.5-mile self-guided introduction to badlands geology, and it extends into the more challenging 4.3-mile Caprock Coulee Loop with climbs to the Achenbach and River Bend overlooks. The Little Mo Nature Trail near the Juniper Campground is an easy loop of about 1.1 miles through cottonwoods along the river. For a rewarding turnaround point, hike out to Sperati Point along the start of the Achenbach Trail for a high view over the Little Missouri.
What is the best long or backcountry hike?
The Petrified Forest Loop in the western South Unit is the standout long day hike, running roughly 10 miles past one of the largest concentrations of petrified wood in any national park. Serious backpackers can tackle sections of the Maah Daah Hey Trail, a nearly 100-mile route that links the units across the surrounding national grasslands, or the Achenbach Trail, an 18-mile North Unit loop with river fords. Carry plenty of water, since the badlands offer little shade and no reliable sources on route. The wide-open terrain here rewards hikers who want a taste of the North Dakota backcountry.
When is the best time to hike Theodore Roosevelt National Park?
Late spring and early fall bring the most comfortable temperatures and the best wildlife activity. Summer days can climb past 90°F with sudden thunderstorms, so start early and watch the sky. Trails can turn to slick, sticky "gumbo" mud when wet, making badlands slopes treacherous, so wait for the ground to dry after rain. Winter hiking is possible but cold and often icy. Whenever you go, the terrain and wildlife feel similar to the badlands just south in Badlands National Park, which pairs well on a regional road trip through South Dakota.
FAQ
How many miles of trails are in Theodore Roosevelt National Park?
The park maintains more than 80 miles of hiking trails across the South and North Units, ranging from paved nature paths to rugged backcountry routes like the Petrified Forest Loop and Achenbach Trail.
Are the hikes in Theodore Roosevelt National Park dog-friendly?
No. Pets are not allowed on any park trails, in the backcountry, or in undeveloped areas. They are permitted only in campgrounds, picnic areas, and pullouts, and must stay leashed. Plan to leave dogs at home if hiking is your goal.
Do you need a permit to hike in Theodore Roosevelt National Park?
Day hiking does not require a permit, but a free backcountry permit is required for overnight camping away from the campgrounds. Check the current-year rules with the park before you go, as requirements can change seasonally.
Will I see bison and wild horses while hiking?
Often, yes. The South Unit is known for free-roaming bison, feral horses, and large prairie dog towns, while the North Unit has bison and longhorn cattle. Always keep a safe distance of at least 25 yards from wildlife and never approach a bison. Browse more parks by state to plan your trip.