Your Theodore Roosevelt National Park CME conference.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park after your study day

Study days finish at 2:00 PM local time. Afternoon choices near Medora include the South Unit’s scenic drive, a short walk such as Wind Canyon, or a stroll through town. Allow for wind, quick weather changes and distance, because the park describes conditions as able to change quickly.

Travel, lodging and park entry are arranged separately by you. The park is the setting for your own plans, and nothing in this guide is scheduled around your study day.

The South Unit’s scenic loop

The National Park Service says the South Unit’s scenic drive begins in Medora and is a paved two-way loop open to cars and cyclists. It advises planning at least 2 hours, and the loop has overlooks and trailheads along rolling badlands. Bison, mule deer, prairie dogs and horses are readily visible along it, and the park says driving is often a good way to see wildlife. Keep a safe distance from every animal.

Short walks start from the drive: Wind Canyon Trail is 0.4 mile, Coal Vein Trail is 0.8 mile and Buck Hill is 0.1 mile. The Ridgeline Nature Trail was listed as inaccessible after a road collapse, so check current status before you plan around it. The Painted Canyon Visitor Center is 7 miles east of Medora, off Interstate 94 at exit 32.

Medora and the wider park

Medora describes itself as a frontier cow town that grew into a family tradition. Its official site lists the Medora Musical, a live outdoor summer show, trail rides, a golf course and museums including the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, the Harold Schafer Heritage Center and the Cowboy Hall of Fame. Confirm which of these are open in the season you visit.

The park’s North Unit is a separate drive. The park says the North and South Units are separated by a 1 hour and 10 minute drive, so a North Unit visit means leaving your study setting, and it may fall outside the conference’s check-in area. Its scenic road is a 28-mile round trip, the park suggests at least 1 hour and 15 minutes for it, and it passes River Bend Overlook on the way to Oxbow Overlook. Bison are often visible from it, and mule deer appear mostly around dawn and dusk. The remote Elkhorn Ranch Unit is reached by gravel roads, and the last three miles sometimes need four-wheel drive or a high-clearance vehicle.

Wildlife and trail manners

The park says bison roam the badlands from top to bottom, and in summer bulls fight for breeding rights. In fall, bull elk can be heard bugling through the badlands. The park asks visitors to keep a safe distance from all animals.

The park’s overnight backcountry trails in the North Unit require a permit, so a long hike there is a separate plan from a short afternoon outing.

Roosevelt history and the other units

The park’s Elkhorn Ranch Unit is described as a remote site tied to Theodore Roosevelt’s adventure, healing and inspiration. In town, the Medora site lists the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library and a program called T.R. – The Strenuous Life. In the North Unit, the park describes nature trails suited to casual hikers, while the Maah Daah Hey Trail follows the Little Missouri River and the Ekblom Trail leads into the Theodore Roosevelt Wilderness.

The South Unit has a visitor center, and the park lists a store at the Painted Canyon Visitor Center. For lodging near the North Unit, the park’s lodging page lists Watford City, about 15 miles away, and says no lodging is available inside the park. That page was last updated in 2017, so confirm current availability before you book.

When to visit Theodore Roosevelt National Park

May through June and September are a useful starting point for planning a visit. The park describes summer as warm, with average highs in the 70s and 80s Fahrenheit, and warns of violent thunderstorms. Winters are cold, with average lows in the single digits from December through February and blizzard conditions possible, and wind is considerable year round. The park’s weather page does not describe spring or fall, so rely on the local forecast for those seasons. Check current road conditions before you drive, especially in winter.

Getting to the park and your study setting

Dickinson Theodore Roosevelt Regional Airport is the arrival point shown in this guide. Its site calls it the gateway to Theodore Roosevelt National Park, the badlands and Medora, and lists United Airlines service to Denver. The park’s South Unit entrance is in Medora, reached from Interstate 94 at exits 24 and 27. The park says the South Unit is 133 miles west of Bismarck and 27 miles east of the Montana state line.

The map shows straight-line distances from Shift’s designated center. These are orientation distances, not driving distances or travel-time estimates. Check your exact address against the conference’s check-in area before booking.