Getting Around Theodore Roosevelt National Park: Access, Entrances, Shuttles, and Parking

By David Sanchez · Data: National Park Service · ← Complete guide Theodore Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt National Park doesn't have a mandatory internal shuttle. Your own car is the only realistic way to explore its three units, scattered across more than 68 miles as the crow flies through the Badlands of western North Dakota. It's worth knowing that before you pack your bags.

How to Reach the Park

The main entrance to the South Unit is in Medora (Interstate 94, exits 24 or 27). The North Unit is reached via Highway 85, 81 miles north. The Theodore Roosevelt access guide has all the information on distances from major cities and flight options.

Park Entrances

Each unit has its own access point: Medora for the South Unit, Highway 85 near Watford City for the North Unit, and an unpaved road for the Elkhorn Ranch Unit. During the busy season, get to Medora before 9 a.m. to avoid waiting at the entrance. The America the Beautiful pass ($80) covers all three units and pays for itself after visiting two or three national parks in a year. The National Parks Fees & Passes page explains entrance fees and passes.

Getting Around the Park

By Car

Your own car is by far the main way to get around. Each unit has its own scenic drive:

• South Rim Scenic Loop (South Unit): about 36 miles, fully paved, and suitable for standard cars. The speed limit is 45 mph, but you'll often slow down well below that when a herd of bison takes over the road.
• North Unit Scenic Drive: about 14 miles one way to Oxbow Overlook. Same setup, and the same need to watch for wildlife.

The Elkhorn Ranch Unit requires a high-clearance vehicle on the access road. An SUV or pickup handles it without a problem in dry weather. A low-slung sedan is another story.

By Shuttle

The National Park Service doesn't operate an internal shuttle. The city of Medora and the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library do operate a shuttle system for visitors and residents, with three routes:

• Yellow Loop: shuttle service from the Fryburg parking lot to Medora.
• Blue Loop: service within the city of Medora.
• Red Loop: service between Dickinson and Medora.

These shuttles are useful if you're staying in Medora or Dickinson without a vehicle, but they don't take you into the park itself. You'll still need a car to explore the scenic loops.

By Bike

Bikes are allowed on the park's paved roads. It's not the most common way to explore the park. The loops are long, the elevation changes are real, and the Badlands sun can be intense. Hiking trails are for pedestrians only.

Where to Park: Lots and Parking

The main parking areas are at the visitor centers:

• Medora Visitor Center (South Unit): large free parking lot and the starting point for the loop. In July and August, it fills up before 10 a.m.
• North Unit Visitor Center: smaller lot that rarely fills up.
• The overlooks and picnic areas along the scenic loops have small parking areas with no time limit.

There is no reservation system or “parking tag” in this park. It's first come, first served. If the visitor center lot is full by midmorning, the overlooks in between often still have a few spaces.

Distances and Drive Times Between Areas

The three units aren't connected by internal roads, so you'll always have to use public roads to travel between them:

• Medora (South Unit) to Watford City (North Unit): about 81 miles on Highway 85, or a 1.5-hour drive.
• South Unit to Elkhorn Ranch Unit: about 37 miles, including roughly 9 miles on unpaved roads.
• North Unit to Elkhorn Ranch Unit: about 50 miles, with the same final unpaved road.

If you're planning to visit both main units on one trip, allow a full day for each unit to really enjoy them. The 1-, 2-, or 3-day Theodore Roosevelt itineraries will help you plan how much time to spend in the park.

Special Cases: RVs, Vans, Accessibility, and Pets

RVs and camper vans: the paved loops in the two main units have no special height restrictions. The park campgrounds, Cottonwood in the South Unit and Juniper in the North Unit, accommodate RVs but have no electrical hookups. The Theodore Roosevelt RV camping guide covers available sites and amenities.

Accessibility: the visitor centers are wheelchair accessible. Some overlooks have level paths. Most hiking trails are on rough, unpaved terrain.

Pets: dogs are allowed in the park, but only on paved roads, in campgrounds, and in parking areas. They can't use hiking trails or approach bison grazing areas. Leashes are required at all times.

Practical Mobility Information: Fuel, Cell Service, and Apps

Fuel: there are no gas stations inside the park. Fill up in Medora before entering the South Unit and in Watford City for the North Unit. If you're visiting both on the same day, plan on refueling along the way.

Cell service: coverage is weak or nonexistent throughout most of the park and along much of the access roads. The North Dakota Badlands aren't a place to rely on 4G. Download offline maps, such as Gaia GPS, Maps.me, or the official NPS app, before leaving town.

Official NPS app: the National Park Service app works partially offline. It offers park maps, real-time closure alerts, and the locations of points of interest.

Winter conditions: some sections of road may close after snowfall. Between November and April, check current conditions on the official NPS website before setting out.

Frequently Asked Questions