Unless you’re on a cross-country trip along I-94, Theodore Roosevelt National Park isn’t exactly “on the beating path”. It’s a beautiful little corner of the country that absolutely deserves more praise than it gets. There really is so much to see and do in TRNP: from wildlife viewing, to short hikes, to killer viewpoints. Here is an itinerary for one day in Theodore Roosevelt National Park!
Painted Canyon
Painted Canyon, while still technically part of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, actually has its own entrance, separate from the main one in Medora, ND. About 8 miles east (or a 10 minute drive) from Medora, it’s a very quick and easy detour- and so worth it! There are no entry fees, but rather just an exit off I-94. There is a small visitor center, and large flat pathways for walking to different viewpoints around the canyon. More adventurous travelers can actually hike down, but this girl was fine snapping photos from the rim. Plus, the views will only get better!
I visited late morning, following a long drive from Rapid City, SD. After chatting with park rangers, they all recommended a visit to Painted Canyon at sunrise! A note I’m making for my next visit, but I wanted to pass along the recommendation.
Scenic Loop Drive
Scenic Loop Drive is the main road inside Theodore Roosevelt National Park. It is – you guessed it – a loop road that circles the park, which makes it nearly impossible to get lost. Just about every viewpoint, trail, or point of interest is on this road (or on a very short road that branches off).
When I visited in September 2020, the last 2-3 miles of the loop road was closed. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to do the whole thing. However, by forcing me to turn around and circle back around, I was able to experience the views and park from and entirely new angle. There were so many things I missed! It was so spectacular that I’d recommend that even if the entire loop was open, to turn around and do it again going the reverse way. On my way back, I was even lucky enough to see so much more wildlife that I didn’t get to experience the first time around. Buffalo and prairie dogs galore! To make things sweeter, I even came across a herd of wild horses! It was so majestic and I was so happy I got to experience watching them the wild.
Wind Canyon Trail
My favorite stop along Scenic Loop Drive was Wind Canyon Trail. Wind Canyon is a short 0.4 mile trail that has incredible canyon views and overlooks the Little Missouri River. The trail itself is easy and relatively flat (in fact, I did the whole thing in Birkenstock sandals), though there were some stairs throughout the trail. The trail faces West and is a very popular place for watching the sunset over the badlands.
It is one of the first points inside the park, and the parking lot isn’t huge. However, given that the trail is so short, you’re never waiting long for a parking spot to open up. A few other cars and I waited in in a line outside the lot and I was parked within about 10 minutes. It’s worth the wait!
Viewpoints
Take your time driving along Scenic Look Drive, stopping at all the scenic viewpoints that your heart (and camera) can handle. There are no shortage of overlooks but my favorites were the Badlands Overlook and the Skyline Vista.
Badlands Overlook is toward the end of the loop (if you’re driving clockwise). This spot offered vast, unobstructed views of the rugged terrain. It was actually very close to here that I saw a herd of wild horses (which was totally unexpected!). I almost missed them though- as a tip, if you see a bunch of cars pulled over in random spots, you should stop too! I was close to driving right by, but something in my heart told me to stop. I’m so glad I did!
The Skyline Vista is one of the very first stops inside the park. Here, you can see for miles and miles across the flat prairies, with views of the divided I-94 running through the park (where the photo at the top of this post was taken). A short gravel/dirt path leads from the parking lot where you can snap some pics and take in the scenery.
Medora, ND
After a long day exploring the park, make some time to explore the town of Medora for a little dose of civilization. The town is small (112 permanent residents, to be exact), but bursts alive in the summer months. I had more people in my graduating high school class! Stroll the few blocks of the town that will transport you right back into the Wild, Wild West. The wooden buildings and dusty roads will make you feel like you’re right in the middle of a movie set. You’ll even see horses walking the streets! Grab some ice cream at one of the many options, and enjoy the small town. Medora is also home to the ND Cowboy Hall of Fame, if that piques your interest.
However, your visit to Medora, TRNP, or North Dakota is not complete without seeing the famous Medora Musical. This seasonal outdoor musical is known as “the rootin’-tootinest, boot-scootinest show in all the Midwest.” It’s tacky, kitschy, but a lot of fun. It’s a tribute to Theodore Roosevelt (who claims he never could have been President if it wasn’t for his time in North Dakota), and America as a whole. It’ll fill you with patriotism and pride, which is something we could all use a little bit of.
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