Photo By: Jacob Lips
Named after the 26th president of the United States, this 70,000-acre national park has a colorful history. Divided into three sections: the North Unit, South Unit, and Elkhorn Ranch Unit, the Theodore Roosevelt National Park has varied attractions suited for different tastes.
Close to 750,000 people visited this national attraction situated in Billings and McKenzie counties, North Dakota, in 2018. It is the only national memorial park ever established in the U.S.
History
Before Theodore Roosevelt became president, he was a New York State Assemblyman. Taking a break from his busy New York work, he went to the badlands in North Dakota in September 1883 to hunt. He successfully hunted a bison and fell in love with the place. So he bought a ranch known as the Maltese Cross Ranch.
A year later, Roosevelt lost his first wife and his mother on the same day—Valentine’s Day in 1884. Shortly thereafter, Roosevelt bought his second ranch in North Dakota known as Elkhorn Ranch. He found solace in the ranch and spent a great deal there, writing about his hunting adventures in three of his famous written works: “Ranch Life and the Hunting Trail,” “Hunting Trips of a Ranchman” and “The Wilderness Hunter.”
After Roosevelt’s death in 1919, there were various campaigns to establish the badlands as a park. In 1935, the area was established as the Roosevelt Recreation Demonstration Area but later, was turned into Theodore Roosevelt National Wildlife Refuge in 1946, managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. President Harry Truman established the South Unit of the national park on April 25, 1947.
Photo By: Jacob Lips
Places to go
North Unit
This is a 50-mile drive from North Dakota Highway 85, which explains why this is also the less-visited unit of the park. But the drive will be worth it once visitors come across its rugged natural beauty. The area has a 14-mile scenic drive that will give tourists a breathtaking view of the badlands. A must-stop: River Bend Overlook. The scenic drive is also great for cyclists.
For those who prefer hiking, there are nature trails for those who just prefer casual walks with a beautiful backdrop of nature. For the more adventurous bunch, the backcountry provides the real trek with the following trails: Achenbach, Buckhorn, Caprock, and Coulee. There is also the Juniper Campground for regular camping.
South Unit
This is the most visited area because it is also the most accessible. There is a 36-mile scenic drive with a diverse terrain for visitors to stop and take photos.
The hiking trails in the South Unit are varied. There is a history trail that leads to the East Entrance Station. There are also nature trails: Ridgeline Natural Trail and Coal Vein Trail. For those who just want a short hike, there are Wind Canyon Trail and Buck Hill. Campers have a place at Cottonwood Campground.
Elkhorn Ranch
This was what Roosevelt considered the home after losing his mother and wife in 1884. One must drive less than a mile to reach the cabin, which only left some foundation stones for the visitors. There is an exhibit that showcases some of Roosevelt’s writings in the area.
Wildlife
It is easy to convert simple sightseeing at the Theodore Roosevelt National Park to wildlife watching. At the South Unit, visible wildlife includes bison, horses, mule deer, and prairie dogs. Lucky visitors may also get a glimpse of the following: bald and golden eagles, coyotes, elk, pronghorns, turkeys and white-tailed deer.
At the North Unit, most visitors will only meet bison and mule deer. Bighorn sheep may be visible near the cliffs. For those who want to spot the cute prairie dogs, they have to take a hike.
These animals are rarely seen at the national park but there have been sightings nonetheless: badgers, beavers, bobcats, and porcupines.
President Roosevelt’s cause
While Roosevelt went to the badlands in 1883 to hunt bison, he also learned that bison, bighorn sheep, elk, and deer are slowly decreasing in numbers. Conservation of the environment is one of Roosevelt’s platforms of government. During his term as president, the United States Forest Service (USFS) was created to protect wildlife and public lands.
Also during Roosevelt’s term, over 230 million acres of land went under federal protection: 150 national forests, 51 federal bird reserves, 18 national monuments, five national parks, and four national game preserves. So it is just right that a national park, which became a protected piece of land, is named after Roosevelt.
Photo By: Jacob Lips
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