Theodore RooseveltNational Park

Theodore Roosevelt National Park preserves three areas of rugged, beautiful badlands in southwestern North Dakota. It was established in honor of the landscape's influence on Theodore Roosevelt who, as a young man, hunted and ranched in the Little Missouri Badlands. The park is open year-round.

Scenic drives explore the colorful landscape and usually offer glimpses of bison, prairie dogs, deer, and more .

Hiking trails range from paved walking paths to rugged wilderness routes.

Get started planning your visit now!

Physical Address

Operating Hours & Seasons

An entrance fee is required to visit Theodore Roosevelt National Park year-around. Fees are collected at entrance stations May through September and in visitor centers the rest of the year. The park does not issue timed entry permits. Self-pay stations are available when visitor centers and entrance stations are closed. Passes can be purchased online. The South Unit entrance station is in the town of Medora. The North Unit entrance station is 15 minutes south of Watford City. During the winter season (usually October through May) entrance fees can be paid or passes presented in the South or North Unit Visitor Center. If the visitor center is not open, there is a drop box near the flagpole where entrance fees can be deposited.

Visitor Centers

Internet & Cellular Access

Internet & Cellular Access Details

NPS / Jeff Van Hooser

The park has two campgrounds (both have one group site and many standard sites) and one group site for camping with horses. All campgrounds are primitive (no hookups, no showers). All sites are by reservation at recreation.gov. More information about reservations below.

Choosing a Campground

When choosing a campground, first consider which park unit(s) you plan to visit. It may be helpful to look at a map .

Cottonwood Campground

Juniper Campground

Roundup Group Horse Camp

Backpack Camping

Hikers and horseback riders who choose to spend the night in the park's backcountry can do so by filling out a free Backcountry Permit in the North or South Unit Visitor Centers. There are no developed backcountry campsites or facilities. For more information, see backcountry permit for backpack camping .

Visitor Centers

All three park visitor centers are wheelchair accessible, as is the Maltese Cross Cabin. Park films shown at the North and South Unit Visitor Centers offer closed captioning

Campground & Picnic Area

The South Unit's Cottonwood Campground has four accessible campsites and two restrooms that meet ADA access requirements. The Roundup Horse Camp also has accessible toilets and a picnic pavilion.

The North Unit's Juniper Campground has two accessible sites and two restrooms meeting ADA requirements. The group campsite also has accessible restrooms.

Picnic areas in both the North and South Unit have accessible restrooms and pavilions.

Restrooms on Scenic Drives

The North Unit Scenic Drive has no restrooms, but restrooms are located in Juniper Campground and Picnic Area as mentioned above. The South Unit Scenic Loop Drive has an accessible restroom near the road to Buck Hill, about midway around the loop, and also at the Halliday Well Trailhead.

Scenic Drive Points of Interest

Wheelchair accessible pullouts and overlooks along the scenic drives:

Skyline Vista - 0.1 mile trail

River Woodland Overlook - sidewalk with view of the Little Missouri River

Prairie Dog Town near the loop road junction - sidewalk and exhibits

Scoria Point Overlook - sidewalk, exhibit, and viewing area

Badlands Overlook - sidewalk, exhibit and viewing area

Buck Hill - sidewalk and exhibit (trail is paved and gravel with stairs)

Beef Corral Prairie Dog Town - sidewalk with prairie dog viewing

Wind Canyon Trail Parking Area - sidewalk only, trail is dirt and gravel surfaced with stairs

Boicourt Overlook - sidewalk and exhibit

Longhorn Steer Pullout - sidewalk and exhibit

Slump Block pullout - sidewalk and exhibit

Cannonball Concretion pullout - sidewalk, exhibit, and cannonball concretion viewing

River Bend Overlook - compacted gravel trail to viewing deck and exhibit

Oxbow Overlook - paved path along the rim of the badlands, exhibits

The short trails at the Skyline Vista Overlook and Boicourt Overlook in the South Unit and the Little Mo Nature Trail in the North Unit are hard-surfaced with minimal slope. All other trails have unmaintained dirt surfaces. More trail information here.

The Access Pass is a free lifetime entrance pass to all federal areas charging an entrance fee. It also provides a 50% reduction of expanded amenity fees for activities such as camping. Passes are available to all U.S. citizens or permanent residents with disabilities. Passes can be obtained in person wherever interagency passes are sold (park entrance stations when open, or in visitor centers during seasonal entrance station closures.)

Key Information

Get an entrance pass All visitors must have one of these entrance passes: Pass Price Standard Pass $15.00–$30.00 Annual Pass $55.00 America the Beautiful Pass (includes Senior Passes) FREE–$250.00 Help me choose an entrance pass

Choosing an Entrance Pass

Do you have or qualify for a discounted America the Beautiful Pass?

If you already have an America the Beautiful—the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass, that's the only entrance pass you need. Seniors, military, visitors with a permanent disability, and families with a 4th grader are eligible for a free or discounted America the Beautiful pass.

America the Beautiful Pass

How often do you plan to visit national parks in the next 12 months?

If you don't qualify for a discounted America the Beautiful pass, we recommend choosing an entrance pass based on your trip plans.

Entrance Passes

The Theodore Roosevelt National Park Annual Park Pass is valid for one year from month of purchase. The pass admits the purchaser and passengers in a single, private, non-commercial vehicle, or the pass holder and his/her immediate family (spouse, children, parents) when entry is by other means (foot, bicycle).

Standard Entrance Pass

If you enter the park in a motorized vehicle, your entrance pass covers both you and your passengers. Your passengers do not need a separate pass.

Costs for vehicles with more than 15 passengers are listed below under Organizations and Businesses .

Private Vehicle $30.00

Valid for 7 days for all persons traveling in a single, private, non-commercial vehicle.

Motorcycle $25.00

Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers.

For Individuals without a Vehicle

If you enter the park on a bicycle or on foot and are at least 16 years old, you need your own entrance pass. Children under the age of 16 don't need an entrance pass.

Per Person $15.00

Valid for 7 days for a visitor traveling on foot, bicycle, horse, or other non-motorized means of travel.

For Organizations & Businesses

Commercial Van (7-15 seats) $50.00

In-person Purchase Locations

South Unit Visitor Center Cash or Credit/Debit

North Unit Visitor Center Cash or Credit/Debit

Commercial Mini-bus (16-25 seats) $60.00

Commercial Motor Coach (26+ seats) $150.00

Annual Entrance - Park

US citizens and residents

America the Beautiful—the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass

Covers entrance fees and standard amenity (day-use) fees at lands managed by

National Park Service

US Fish & Wildlife Service

US Forest Service

Bureau of Land Management

Bureau of Reclamation

US Army of Corps of Engineers

Depending on the type of entrance fee charged at a site, covers One private vehicle fee or Four per person fees

America the Beautiful Passes are non-refundable, non-transferable and cannot be replaced if lost or stolen . Passholders must show valid photo identification (ID) with each pass.

How to Get an America the Beautiful Pass

Physical passes can be purchased or picked up at over 1,000 federal recreation sites.

Purchase and pickup locations

To receive your pass by mail, order online at the USGS Online Store . Online orders are for physical passes, not digital passes, and may take up to three weeks to be processed and delivered. Order receipts may not be used in place of a physical pass. We recommend ordering at least three weeks in advance of your visit, or picking up a pass in person instead.

Skip the wait! Get a Digital America the Beautiful Pass through recreation.gov. Your digital pass can be saved to a mobile device and used immediately.

Get a Digital America the Beautiful Pass

2026 Free Entrance Days in the National Parks

Come experience the national parks! All National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to US citizens and residents (other fees, including timed entry or reservation fees, may apply). Mark your calendar for these entrance fee-free dates:

February 16 : Presidents Day (Washington's Birthday)

May 25 : Memorial Day

June 14: Flag Day/President Trump's birthday

July 3–5: Independence Day weekend

August 25: 110th Birthday of the National Park Service

September 17: Constitution Day

October 27 : Theodore Roosevelt's birthday

November 11: Veterans Day

Buy Your Digital Pass on Recreation.gov

The park is comprised of three areas: South Unit, North Unit and Elkhorn Ranch Unit. The park's two most visited units, the North and South Units, are separated by a 1 hour and 10 minute drive. If you're not sure which unit(s) of the park you want to visit, you start here.

The South Unit is 133 miles west of Bismarck, ND and 27 miles east of the Montana state line. The South Unit entrance is located in the town of Medora, ND and accessed via Interstate 94, exits 24 and 27. The South Unit visitor center is just inside the park entrance in Medora. The South Unit's Painted Canyon Visitor Center is located 7 miles east of Medora at exit 32 off of Interstate 94. For GPS directions to the South Unit park entrance in Medora, use this address: 201 East River Road North Medora, ND 58645

The North Unit entrance is on U.S. Highway 85, approximately 14 miles south of Watford City, ND and 50 miles north of Belfield, ND. From I-94, take U.S. Highway 85 north at Exit 42 in Belfield, ND. For GPS directions to the North Unit, use this address: 208 Scenic Drive Watford City, ND 58854

Elkhorn Ranch Unit

Follow directions carefully to the park's most remote unit, accesssed by gravel roads. The last three miles of the route sometimes require 4-wheel drive and/or a high-clearance vehicle, especially in winter or during and after rain showers. Inquire about current road conditions at park visitor centers before you embark. Go directly to the Elkhorn Ranch Unit page for a map and driving directions.

Seasonal Road Closures

Park roads or highways outside of the park may be closed in winter due to snow or icy conditions. Check the current park road status and North Dakota highway status prior to your visit.

Top Safety Tips

All animals in the park are wild and unpredictable. View them from a safe distance. Bison and other large mammals inhabit the park. They generally appear tranquil, but may attack without warning if they are disturbed.

Feeding animals of any kind is prohibited.

Rattlesnakes are present in the park. They do not always give a warning before striking. Be alert while walking, and do not put your hands or feet in a place you cannot see. Rattlesnakes and black widow spiders often live in prairie dog burrows.

Speed limits are posted and enforced on park roads.

Drive cautiously; winding park roads and abundant wildlife may yield unexpected surprises.

Use extra caution while driving at night.

Weather in the North Dakota badlands is harsh, with extremes in temperature and sudden, violent storms. Be prepared for rapidly changing conditions. Click here for more information on weather and climate in the park.

Hikers are advised to stay on established trails. Detailed maps are available for sale at the park visitor centers. Climbing on the steep slopes in the badlands can be dangerous, especially when wet. Slippery clays and soft sediments can yield underfoot.

Watch for poison ivy in wet areas and for ticks in late spring and early summer.

Get drinking water only from approved sources. Backcountry hikers should plan to carry all the water they will need for their entire itinerary; water sources are limited in the backcountry. Water taken from all natural sources must be treated or boiled before use.

Backcountry campers are required to register at the South Unit Visitor Center or North Unit Visitor Center. There is no fee for backcountry camping permits.

Trail Safety at TRNP Ranger Lincoln share tips for hiking in Theodore Roosevelt National Park Audio Transcript Everyone loves to get outside to go on a hike or a walk, to enjoy nature and relax for a little while. At Theodore Roosevelt National Park, we love to see people hiking in the rugged badlands that it is our privilege to steward. So, in honor of June 6 being National Trails Day, we thought we would share some of the best safety tips for hiking in Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Preparing for a hike is important. You want to make sure that you have a plan; knowing where you want to go and sharing your itinerary with a friend or family member not only improves your hiking trip, it gives you the peace of mind that someone knows where you are. Always wear proper footwear and carry a map and first aid kit; you shouldn’t just throw on flip-flops and head out on the trail. The most important thing to have with you on a hike in the North Dakota badlands is water. There is very little shade in the park and during the summer months temperatures can reach into the 90s and above. One water bottle isn’t enough; we recommend around 1 liter of water per person per hour. If you’re planning on a backcountry camping trip, you should try to pack in all the water you’ll need, as sources of water in the backcountry are few and far between. Sadly, we haven’t yet trained our bison to social distance so the responsibly for safety falls on visitors. Be aware while hiking; headphones can prevent you from hearing approaching wildlife. Pay attention when coming around blind curves. By stopping to listen or swinging wide, you may avoid startling an animal. You don’t have to make as much noise in TRNP as you do in a park that has bears, but occasionally making a little noise as you walk is

Hiking and Trail Guide

Round-Trip Time and Distance

Trail Description

0.1 mi / 0.16 km

Feel the wind in your hair high atop Johnson's Plateau. This flat, paved nature trail is perfect for those who want to step out for just a moment.

Boicourt Overlook Trail

0.2 mi / 0.3 km

One of the most beautiful South Unit overlooks is accessible by this easy nature trail with slight grade. This overlook is a ranger favorite for sunsets over the badlands!

Little Mo Trail

30 - 45 minutes

0.7 mi / 1.1 km (paved inner loop) 1.1 mi / 1.8 km (unpaved outer loop)

Explore the river bottom habitat along a paved nature trailwith slight grades. Take along a trail brochure, available at the trailhead, to learn as you adventure.

You'll be on top of the world when you climb to the highest accessible point in the park. This is a short, but steep trail. The view from the top is worth every step.

Wind Canyon Trail

0.4 mi / 0.6 km

Enjoy hiking this nature trail alongside a wind-sculpted canyon as you climb to the best view of the Little Missouri River the South Unit has to offer. Another ranger favorite for sunsets!

Easy to Moderate

Ridgeline Trail

Explore the badlands environment along a nature trail with moderate to steep grades. Take along a trail brochure, available at the trailhead, to learn as you adventure. This trail has stairs.

Download the Ridgeline Trail brochure

Coal Vein Trail

0.6 mi / 1 km (inner loop)

0.8 mi / 1.3 km (outer loop)

Although the coal vein is no longer burning, this nature trail is an excellent place to learn about badlands geology and ecology. Take along a trail brochure, available at the trailhead. This trail has stairs.

Download the Coal Vein Trail Brochure

0.9 mi / 1.4 km

The canyon looks amazing from the rim, but wait until you experience a hike down into it! Get up close and personal with the rock layers, junipers, and wildlife. Remember, every step down means a step back up on the return.

1.5 mi / 2.4 km

Hike through badlands terrain and dry washes as you experience a variety of habitats. Take along a trail brochure, available at the trailhead, to learn as you adventure. View the Caprock Coulee Nature Trail Guide.

Prairie Dog Town via the

Start at the Caprock Coulee Trailhead and follow the Buckhorn Trail to a prairie dog town. Be sure to plan some extra time for wildlife viewing; where

there are prairie dogs, there are often lots of other animals, too!

Sperati Point via the

Achenbach Trail

Begin at Oxbow Overlook. A gently rolling walk leads to an overlook of the Little Missouri River. Along the way, pay attention to the wide variety of forbs and grasses. The prairie ecosystem is one of the most diverse on the planet!

Moderate to Strenuous

4.3 mi / 6.9 km

The first 0.75 miles of this trail consists of the Caprock Coulee Nature Trail. The trail becomes more strenuous as it climbs to the top of a grassy butte, follows a ridgeline with incredible views, and descends back down.

3 - 4 hours (one way)

7.1 mi / 11.4 km (one way)

The Maah Daah Hey Trail stretches 96 miles across the National Grassland connecting all three units of the park. This portion of the trail runs through

the South Unit.

9.6 mi / 15.4 km

You can begin this trail at Peaceful Valley Ranch by following the Ekblom Trail. To avoid a river crossing, access the loop via the Maah Daah Hey Trail. Thiswill add 3.2 miles round trip. Be aware of difficult stream crossings.

Petrified Forest Loop

10.3 mi / 16.6 km

Located in the remote northwest corner of the South Unit, this hike takes you through ancient petrified forests and badlands wilderness. The loop includes the North and South Petrified Forest Trails as well as the Maah Daah Hey.

11.4 mi / 18.3 km

Hike through prairie dog towns, sagebrush terraces, deep canyons, and high open prairies. Experience the diversity of plant and animal life in these distinct habitats.

Jones/Lower Talkington/

Lower Paddock Loop

This loop combines the Jones Creek Trail, the Lower Talkington Trail, and the Lower Paddock Creek Trail. Add it to the Upper Paddock/Talkington Loop for an epic adventure of 23.4 miles.

Talkington Loop

15.4 mi / 24.8 km

19.4 mi / 31.2 km (Painted Canyon)

This trail combines part of the Lower Talkington Trail with the Upper Talkington and Upper Paddock Creek Trails. Accessing the loop from Painted Canyon will add 4 miles round trip to your hike.

Steep climbs and descents and two river crossings await you on a trail that leads deep into the heart of the Theodore Roosevelt Wilderness. Cross the Little Missouri River at daybreak and climb the buttes to greet the rising sun.

Please keep the following in mind as you hike:

All plants, wildlife, and natural and cultural features are protected. This includes animal bones, rocks, flowers, cultural items, and anything else you may discover while hiking. Do not disturb or remove these things.

Watch wildlife from a safe distance of 25 yards or more.

Pets, bicycles and motorized equipment are prohibited on all trails and in the backcountry.

Backcountry camping requires a free permit.

All trash and other materials, including toilet paper, must be packed out. Human waste should be buried in a hole 6-8 inches deep and at least 200 feet from any water source.

Hikers should yield the right-of-way to horseback riders.

Respect wildlife and other visitors by keeping noise low while on trail.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park Unit Maps

Simple maps for home printers (black and white)

Elkhorn Ranch Unit (requires travel on gravel roads)

Campground Maps

Cottonwood Campground (South Unit)

Juniper Campgroun d (North Unit)

Find A National Park Service Map

Pets are welcome in Theodore Roosevelt National Park. If you are planning to visit with your pet, you will need to make a few special considerations.

The park is home to all kinds of animals, big and small. Because the park is their home and we and our pets are the visitors, regulations are in place to minimize our impacts on wildlife. When in the park, pets should always be leashed when not otherwise contained in a vehicle or tent. To maintain proper control, leashes should be 6 feet or shorter. Be aware that dogs can agitate bison, horses, and other animals, creating unsafe situations. Maintain extra distance from wildlife when enjoying the park with your dog. Never leave pets unattended.

Where can I walk my Dog?

Leashed pets may be walked along roads and road shoulders, sidewalks, parking areas, and in campgrounds and picnic areas. The sidewalk at the Painted Canyon Visitor Center (I-94, exit 32) is a good place to walk dogs and has fantastic views of the badlands all along the way. Be sure to clean up after your pet. Helpful hint: On hot days, the best places to walk pets are campgrounds and picnic areas where there is shade. Other areas of the park are fully exposed to the sun.

Hiking with Your Dog (outside the park)

While dogs are not permitted on trails within the park, there are nearby trails where you can take your dogs for some exercise. In Medora, a paved path leads from the park's entrance, west along the little Missouri River to the Maah Daah Hey Trail. The paved path is about 1 mile long (one-way). The Maah Daah Hey Trail (MDHT) is a 150 mile long path open to horseback riders, hikers, mountain bikers, and PETS! (Pets and bikes are not permitted on sections of the MDHT that lie within the national park.) You and your dog can hike south on the MDHT where the bike path ends, west of Medora, or pick up the trail from one of many other trailheads. Near the park's North Unit, the USFS CCC Campground has access to the MDHT and the Long X Trail , both open to pets.

Horseback Riding

What better way to see the badlands than from the back of a horse, as Roosevelt did?

Horseback riding is permitted on all backcountry trails as well as cross country (off-trail travel). For safety reasons, horses are not permitted on nature trails (trails under 1 mile), or in general-use campgrounds and picnic areas. Roundup Group Horse Camp is available by reservation. Horse users can camp in the backcountry , which requires a free permit. Horseback riders must abide by regulations regarding horse use. Certified weed-free forage is required in the park. The park no longer offers guided trail rides.

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South Unit Zone Forecast

Hazardous Weather Conditions

Current Conditions

Humidity Wind Speed Barometer Dewpoint Visibility Wind Chill

Extended Graphical Forecast for This Location

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North Unit Zone Forecast

Summers are warm with average high temperatures in the 70s and 80s°F. Winters are cold with average lows in the single digits December through February. Wind is considerable year-round. Conditions can change quickly.

The park receives an average of 15 inches of precipitation per year; this includes an average of 30 inches of snow during winter months. Rains are infrequent, but a single storm can produce considerable precipitation. Travelers should be aware of the potential for violent thunderstorms in the summer and blizzard conditions in the winter.

2 Rivulet Erosion

Dark purple chokecherries hang from these branches in late summer. Plains Indians enjoyed the fresh berries and also ground and dried them for winter use. Beware! The leaves, roots, and seeds are poisonous.

5 Badlands Slopes

6 Differential Erosion

The thin layers of rust-red rock on the butte in front of you are iron-impregnated sandstone. Because they are harder than the soft gray sediments that make of up the rest of the butte, they erode more slowly. Notice how these hard layers form shelves that protect soft sediments below. This type of erosion, called differential erosion, is the main shaping force of the badlands.

10 Prickly Pear Cactus

11 Petrified Wood

14 North-facing Slopes

16 Active Slump

17 Wildlife Tracks

18 Forest Litter

"Nothing could be more lonely and nothing more beautiful than the view at nightfall across the prairies to these huge hill masses, when the lengthening shadows had at last merged into one and the faint after-glow of the red sunset filled the west." Theodore Roosevelt

Backcountry Permits

For the South Unit and the Elkhorn Ranch Unit

Permits can be obtained at the South Unit Visitor Center in Medora. Permits are not issued at the Painted Canyon Visitor Center.

For the North Unit

Permits can be obtained at the North Unit Visitor Center.When you have completed your backcountry trip, please stop by the visitor center to advise rangers of your safe return, if possible. Before obtaining a backcountry permit, some helpful information on hand that will make the process faster:

Planned itinerary (how many in group, how many nights, entry/exit points, and route) – check out the park map on the icon in the banner if unfamiliar with the park.

Vehicle information (make, model, year, and license plate).

Emergency contact (name and number).

When you have completed your backcountry trip, please call stop by the Visitor Center and/or call (701)623-4730 ext.1422 to advise rangers of your safe return, thank you.

Safety Messages

It is highly suggested to carry a map with you in the backcountry. If you are in need of purchasing a topographic map of the park , contact our cooperating association, Theodore Roosevelt Nature and History Association (TRNHA). TRNHA is currently selling them via phone (701)623-4884 or via website https://www.shoptrnha.org . They can either do mail or curbside pickup; whatever is easiest for you. There are no approved drinking water sources in the backcountry. There are springs and wells, which supply water for wildlife, but none are certified safe for human consumption. Plan to carry in all your drinking and cooking water.

Weather can be unpredictable and sometimes dangerous. Both summer and winter backcountry users must be prepared for rapid and often violent changes in the weather. Winter storms and summer thunderstorms can build rapidly and be upon you in a very short time. Choose campsites wisely as flash floods may occur. Be prepared to protect yourself in severe weather or plan on a hasty evacuation to a place of safety or shelter.

To insure that your winter experience is as safe and pleasant as possible you must be well prepared for your trip. Low temperatures and strong winds can result in hypothermia and frostbite if hikers and campers are not properly equipped and knowledgeable about winter survival. Special attention must be given to footwear, outer clothing, sleeping gear, and stoves that are operable at extremely low temperatures. Plan your trip well. Know your limitations. Keep your group together. Err to the side of caution.

It is especially important during this time of year to register with park rangers to ensure that they know where to start looking should you not return when indicated.

Backcountry Use Regulations

Overnight parties in the backcountry are limited to a maximum of 10 persons without horses, or 8 persons and 8 horses.

Backcountry camping is prohibited within 1/4 mile of roads and trailheads and within 200 feet of any water source. Campsites must not be visible from any roadway or trail.

Open fires (wood, charcoal, etc.) are not permitted in the backcountry. Cooking must be done on a self-contained stove fueled by a commercial product. Use of stoves may be restricted in times of high fire danger.

All trash and other material packed in, including toilet paper, must be packed out. Burying trash is prohibited.

Do not wash dishes or use detergents in water sources.

Bury human waste in a shallow hole 6-8 inches deep and at least 200 feet from any water source. Carry out all toilet paper.

All plants, wildlife, natural, and cultural features are protected. Do not disturb or remove them. Collection is not permitted. Hunting, feeding wildlife, and chasing or harassing wildlife, including approaching wildlife on horseback, is prohibited. Fireworks are not allowed in the park.

Pets, bicycles, and motorized equipment are prohibited in the backcountry.

Know where you are and where you are going. If you plan foot or horseback travel into the backcountry, know your destination and the route you plan to follow. Although some trails are marked, it is easy to confuse a designated route with a wildlife trail. Carry a topographic map and compass. Do not rely solely on GPS units. Leave your trip itinerary with someone so they can contact the park if you are overdue. Cell phones do not work in many areas of the park or surrounding localities.

Boating opportunities on the Little Missouri River are quite seasonal, with May and June usually being the best months. Canoes or kayaks are recommended. Boaters intending to camp overnight in the park must obtain a free backcountry permit and observe backcountry regulations. Boaters are advised to portage around the wildlife river barriers along all boundaries in the North and the South Unit. Attempting to cross under or through the barrier can result in a capsize. Fences may cross the river outside the park. See Canoeing/Kayaking section for more information.