Theodore Roosevelt National Park BULLY!

 


Teddy Roosevelt created many of our national parks. He protected more public lands than any other president, either before or since. However, he did not create his namesake park. Theodore Roosevelt National Park was created well after his death and was created in his honor. It is the only US national Park that is named for a person.

"Badlands"

Roosevelt first came to the “Little Mo” area of North Dakota for a bison hunting trip in 1883. The bison were almost extinct by that time, and it took him 10 days to find and kill a bison. But he fell in love with the area. He invested in a ranch near Medora, the Maltese Cross Ranch. When his mother and his wife, died on the same day in 1884, he returned to the area to grieve and heal and established his own ranch, the Elkhorn Ranch, 35 miles north of Medora. It was on the ranch that he lived “the strenuous life”, learned a hard work ethic, and it led to his interest in conservation policy. He said often that if it were not for his years in North Dakota he never would have become president.

Interior of Roosevelt's Maltese Cross cabin

The park is made up of three separate units. The South Unit is in Medora and right off I-94. The Elkhorn Unit, the site of his Elkhorn Ranch is about 35 miles north of the South Unit and is very remote. The North unit is about 80 miles north of the South Unit. The Little Missouri River flows through all three units before it joins the Missouri River.

Little Missouri River

Petrified logs

Petrified bench

We spent 2 nights in the South Unit and two nights in the North Unit at the federal campgrounds. Both units are characterized by grassland plains and eroded “badlands”. The North unit is perhaps a little more rugged than the South Unit and much quieter. Because of its relatively remote location, perhaps only about 75% of visitors go to the North Unit. Bison, elk, deer, prairie dogs and feral horses are found in the park. The park is enclosed in a 7' fence to keep the bison and horses in and domestic animals out.

Feral horses

"What are you looking at?

"Cannonball concretions"

Medora ND is an interesting town. It is a western style tourist town with a population of 112 people. However, the Chamber of Commerce lists 20 cafes and restaurants and 7 saloons. Somebody is doing a lot of eating and drinking in Medora.

Prairie dog town

I would say this is one lucky prairie dog.  I was hoping to see some carnage!

Little Missouri River: a little low for paddling