The United States of America has good number of National Parks. Travelers and tourists go to these national parks to see the rich wildlife and hike around. Theodore Roosevelt National Park is one of those parks used for hiking and trekking. It is divided into 3 separated areas of Badlands in West North Dakota.
Geography of Theodore Roosevelt National Parks
The Theodore Roosevelt National Park covers about 110 sq miles in 3 areas, namely: The North Unit, the South Unit and the Elkhorn Ranch Unit. Roosevelt’s Elkhorn Ranch is situated between the North and South Unit. The Missouri River flow in all the 3 Units of the Park. The North Unit and South Unit are more than 70 miles in their mutual distance. In some places in the park, one can see the red Scotia rocks which are formed from lignite coal fires in the underground.
How it got its name?
The National Park is so named ‘Roosevelt’ due to the late president of America, Theodore Roosevelt. He often visited the North Dakota badlands for hunting way back in late 1800’s. After the death of his family members, he returned to his Dakota ranch for sometime and developed the park further.
Activities at the Roosevelt National Park
The South Unit can be used to have a 35 mile drive across the land town of Medora. Activities include visiting Mr. Roosevelt’s cabin, play a golf or tour the mansion of Chateau De Mores, which has 27 rooms.
The National Park is used for many purposes: Horse trailing, foot trailing, see wildlife, hiking, camping, etc. People come here mainly for trailing and to see the wildlife. Horseback riding is also popular activity here. The South Unit Museum at the visitor center gives visitors, some information about the President and the park. His Maltese Cross Cabin is open all the year around.
Various Hike Trails
Hikers can hike around the 100 miles in the park from short trails to more than 22 miles of trekking along the Missouri River. The other trails are Upper Talkington trail (South Unit), Buckhorn Trail (North Unit), Riverbend trail and the small forestland area. The Maah Haah day trail is spread over 96 miles which passes through North and South Units. There are more than 200 fossil sites in the park.
Wildlife at the Theodore Roosevelt National Park
The wildlife of the Roosevelt National Park includes animals, birds and reptiles. There are more than 185 species of birds found here. Animals like wild horses and bison roam freely here.
Some of the animals found are:
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Bison
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Elks,
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Horses,
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Bighorn sheep,
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White tail deer
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Mule deer
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Prairie dogs and Wild Horses
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Badgers
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Coyotes
Birds in the park range from season to season.
Some birds captured in lens are:
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Golden Eagles and Hawks (Rough-legged Hawk,Swainson’s Hawk etc)
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Wild Turkeys
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American White Pelican
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Great blue heron and American Kestrel
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Mallard
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Wood Duck
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Canada Goose
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Bufflehead, Wild Turkey
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Osprey, American Kestrel
Reptiles:
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Turtles
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Short horned lizards
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Snakes
Bison in The National Park
The Bison in the National Park is worth to be mentioned. They are wild buffaloes and one of the dangerous animals in the Park. A full grown adult weights more than 2000 pounds. Their running speed has recorded to be 35 miles an hour. In total there are close to 500 bison in the National Park.
Extra Activities in the Theodore Roosevelt National Park
The other activities worth doing by the tourists in the Roosevelt National Park are attend the Medora Musical, go trailing in the Maah Daah Hey trail the famous 96 miles mountain bike trail, see the nature, camp for some days and play golf in the golf courses.
Getting there
To South Unit: People can go 130 miles east from Mismarck and take the I-94 west from the Prairie to the entrance near Medora. Use the map for further directions.
To North Unit: US 85 north from Belfield takes the road straight to the Entrance of North Unit.
Best Time to go: All the year around. People may face some problems during October to May with limited services.
Visit the website of http://www.theodore.roosevelt.national-park.com/for further information