Theodore Roosevelt National Park North Dakota

When Theodore Roosevelt went to Dakota Territory to hunt bison in 1883, he could not have imagined how his adventure would forever impact the USA. The rugged landscape that the U.S. president experienced here inspired him to create the U.S. Forest Service and would help shape a conservation policy that the country still benefits from today.

It seemed only right to name this 285-square-kilometer park in North Dakota after the man that adored its scenery. Theodore Roosevelt National Park is composed of three sections. The South Unit, where the famous Painted Canyon resides, is the most popular part of the park. Elkhorn Ranch was the location of Roosevelt’s second ranch and principal home in the Badlands, though today, only the foundations of the house remain. The most adventurous travelers head to the North Unit, where backcountry hiking trails reward those who follow them with spectacular views.