August 26, 2023 – Theodore Roosevelt National Park, ND



On Saturday we visited Theodore Roosevelt National Park – South Unit.  We drove the 36-mile scenic loop although currently it is no longer a loop drive as the last few miles are closed for road construction.  The park was established in 1947 as a national memorial to honor President Roosevelt and to provide a place for everyone to experience his beloved badlands.  Theodore Roosevelt National Park is the only national park named after an individual.




This lone bull bison in the distance is the only bison we saw in the park today.







We stopped at Peaceful Valley Ranch, which was a ranch in the 1800s, a dude ranch in the 1920s, headquarters for the CCC and WPA in the 1930s, park headquarters in the 1950s and 60s, and a facility for guided horseback rides until 2014.







        We found the rock formations and hoodoos very interesting.






We hiked the Wind Canyon Trail which follows a cliff edge overlooking the Little Missouri River.  The views of the river were beautiful.






We also hiked a short trail to Boicourt Overlook - another stunning view.








More beautiful vistas.





On our drive back through the park, we were feeling disappointed that the only wildlife we saw was the long bison bull and a bunch of prairie dogs when 7 wild horses ran down a hill and across the road in front of us.  They stopped to drink at a stream beside the road. 





Then a couple miles farther down the road this mare and colt were grazing under some trees beside the road.  Now we are happy that we were able to see a little more wildlife.

We really enjoyed our time here and hiked over 10 miles along short trails and overlooks.  We are looking forward to seeing the North Unit tomorrow although it is 68 miles north of Medora.

 

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