8.27.2023

Medora, ND

Mileage: same as yesterday

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Theodore Roosevelt NP is divided into three parts: North Unit, South Unit, and Elkhorn Ranch. We got up early to drive the 60ish miles from Medora to the North Unit after doing much research and many said it is a must see. We were glad we did. The drive is virtually strait north with mostly farm land and a few oil derricks along the way.

Once inside the park the views start immediately.

Bison on the top of the hill.

We then entered the park and a couple miles in were greeted by bison. They were very close to/in the road. We could hear them growling and snorting.

This big guy was definitely posing for the camera,

We continued along the Scenic Drive.

The formations below are called Cannonball Concretions. Geologists are not sure how they are formed.

We hiked about a mile to see a prairie dog town. We passed a few other groups, but by the time we got to the town we were alone in a beautiful valley with the prairie dogs.

Noisy Bugs

There were cacti along the trail.

We made it to the Prairie Dog Town. They were very cute and fun to watch.

The ground looks like rough elephant skin. It is very sandy feeling.

We then continued on the drive to Oxbow Overlook.

Oxbow Overlook is the end of the out and back road so we turned around. Along the way we stopped at places along the right side of the road.

The most beautiful vista in the park is at River Bend Overlook

By the time we got back near the front of the North Unit the bison had wandered into the road.

This guy wasn't very pleased we were driving around him, or maybe he was just saying hello?

Driving back to Medora we retraced our path from earlier. We spent a little time with Comet then took off to visit the South Unit of the park. The entrance is less than a mile from our campground. This part of the park used to have a loop road. It is currently and out and back as part of the road washed out. It is currently being rebuilt.

The South Unit has many large Prairie Dog Towns.

An elk ran across the road in front of us. Thankfully, he wasn't too close.

Running Elk

Elk

We turned the corner and saw several more elk and a running fox.

So much beautiful scenery. Here we are in front of more Prairie Dogs.

The grasshoppers are abundant! They fly across the trail as we walk along.

There are two horses near the trees in the center of this picture. There is a herd of wild horses in this part of the park.

Buck Hill is a steep drive then an even steeper short walk up to the top of the hill. It is the second highest point in the park with 360 degree views.