Theodore Roosevelt National Park

The Theodore Roosevelt National Park located in North Dakota is one of the most pristine lands in the United States. Built as a tribute to the great US president and conservationist, the park offers a great view of the enchanting landscape and diverse wildlife of the region.

"I never would have been President if it had not been for my experiences in North Dakota" - Theodore Roosevelt These words by the 26th president of the United States of America are a testimony to the influence of North Dakota plains on his life, politics and his role as a conservationist. Theodore Roosevelt first arrived in the badlands in 1883 on a hunting expedition. Inspired by the rugged and colorful landscape of the plains, he invested in two cattle ranches here known as the Maltese Cross and the Elkhorn and worked here as a cowboy and rancher for many years.

On April 25, 1947, the Theodore Roosevelt National Memorial Park was established as a tribute to the president. It was designated as a national park in 1978 to conserve the 29,920 acres of wilderness. Enclosed within the boundaries of the Little Missouri National Grasslands, the park is divided into three geographically separated areas: the South Unit, North Unit and the Elkhorn Ranch. The largest among them, the historic South Unit, which is lined with the interstate 94 receives the most visitation followed by the smaller and rugged North Unit which is located near US highway 85. The remote Elkhorn Ranch is located 35 miles north of the South Unit and was one of the sites where Roosevelt built his ranch in 1884.