Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Miles of hiking trails wind through the geologic formations at the park.

Wild horses roam throughout Theodore Roosevelt National Park

How did a National Park in the middle of North Dakota come to be named after a former US president from New York? In the winter of 1883, more than 20 years before becoming president, Theodore Roosevelt had suffered the double tragedy of losing his wife and his mother -- on the same day! To help him clear his mind and deal with his grief, he accepted the invitation of an acquaintance to spend some time big game hunting in the Badlands of North Dakota. He fell in love with the area and its people, so much so that he became partners in a cattle business and built a cabin where he could lead the "strenuous life" that he loved. But the big game hunting he came west for proved disappointing -- the last of the bison herds were gone, having been decimated by hide hunters and disease. After seeing the damage being done to the land and its wildlife, Roosevelt became an ardent conservationist. As president, he established the US Forest Service, proclaimed 18 national monuments, established five national parks and 51 wildlife refuges, and set aside land as national forests. The park was created and named in his honor to commemorate his vision and contributions to preserving wild lands. Today, the park offers the visitor access to those same lands that inspired Teddy Roosevelt.

Teddy Roosevelt's cabin has been restored and is open for tours at the visitor center.