Introduction

The United States Congress designated Theodore Roosevelt Wilderness (map) in 1978 and it now has a total of 29,920 acres. All of this wilderness is located in North Dakota and is managed by the National Park Service.

Description

Divided into two units set 70 miles apart, Theodore Roosevelt National Park encompasses more than 70,000 acres, including a big section of scenic North Dakota badlands along the Little Missouri River. Eons ago, when the Rocky Mountains emerged, material washed off the range and was deposited here, forming a plain. Centuries of wind and rain eroded the plain into the naked, broken, colorful, and moonlike splendor of today's badlands. Theodore himself once owned and lived on a cattle ranch here, the Elkhorn, which is protected as a third unit of the park. The park bears the former president's name in honor of his devotion to practical conservation.

Most of the North and South Units west of the river have been designated Wilderness, and they provide a home for a multitude of wildlife including bison, elk, mule deer, whitetail deer, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, coyotes, and prairie dogs.

Ninety-five miles of trails offer ample opportunity for solitude, as most visitors stay on park roads and in established campgrounds.

In spring, when snowmelt fills the river, paddling can be excellent. Excellent campsites exist all along the waterway. Gathering firewood is prohibited.

Planning to Visit Theodore Roosevelt Wilderness?

• Print a fact sheet
• General things to consider when visiting any wilderness
• Regulations
• Contact the National Park Service
• Other recommended websites

Leave No Trace

How to follow the seven standard Leave No Trace principles differs in different parts of the country (desert vs. Rocky Mountains). Click on any of the principles listed below to learn more about how they apply in Theodore Roosevelt Wilderness.

1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
3. Dispose of Waste Properly
4. Leave What You Find
5. Minimize Campfire Impacts
6. Respect Wildlife
7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors

For more information on Leave No Trace, Visit the Leave No Trace, Inc. website.