Itinerary – May 2024 (Approx. 6–7 Hours in the Park)

• Arrival: Flight to Bismarck, North Dakota
• Drive: 130 miles to Medora
• Accommodation: Overnight stay at AmericInn by Wyndham, Medora

Next Day:

• Departed for Theodore Roosevelt National Park
• Visited the Painted Canyon Visitor Center
• Enjoyed the views from the Painted Canyon Overlook
• Hiked a portion (~1 mile) of the Painted Canyon Nature Trail
• Stopped at the South Unit Visitor Center
• Took the Scenic Drive with stops at various overlooks:
• • Prairie Dog Town Pullouts
  • Skyline Vista
  • Wind Canyon Trail (0.5 mile)
  • Boicourt Trail (0.8 mile)
• Proceeded to Rapid City, South Dakota (230 miles)
• Overnight at Residence Inn, Rapid City

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Theodore Roosevelt National Park

This national park was established as a tribute to President Theodore Roosevelt, who spent considerable time in the Badlands of North Dakota between 1884 and 1886.

Following the tragic loss of both his wife and mother on the same day in 1884, Roosevelt found solace here. His original residence, the Maltese Cross Cabin, is preserved within the park and accessible to visitors.

Our first stop was the Painted Canyon Visitor Center, where we collected our National Parks Passport stamp and also obtained information on trails.

Just adjacent is the Painted Canyon Overlook, offering breathtaking views of the multicolored Badlands, characterized by their eroded, rugged, and dry terrain.

We also hiked for about a mile along the Painted Canyon Nature Trail, descending into the canyon for closer views of the rock layers and buttes at the base.

We then proceeded to the South Unit, where we briefly visited the Maltese Cross Cabin, located near the main visitor center.

This was followed by the 24-mile Scenic Drive, an out-and-back route with several viewpoints and short hikes:

Prairie Dog Town Pullouts: These stops allowed us to observe numerous prairie dogs, small rodent-like animals resembling squirrels but with lighter coloring.

We were also able to spot wild horses and bison from roadside pullouts.

Skyline Vista: A short walk leads to an overlook with expansive views of the Badlands landscape.

Wind Canyon Trail: A gentle trail with a few steps, offering stunning views of the Little Missouri River and the surrounding terrain.

Boicourt Overlook Trail: The first segment is paved and includes benches, while the latter half is a dirt path leading to a panoramic summit with 360-degree views of the valley.

After completing our drive through the park, we exited and headed toward Rapid City, South Dakota, where we stayed overnight.