Theodore Roosevelt National Park North Unit

Howdy Partner!

We took 2 days to drive across North Dakota to Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Starting at International Falls, MN, we entered Grand Forks, ND on the Minnesota Border, drove US Hwy 2 through the geographical center of North America in Rugby, ND, and on to Devil's Lake for the night. We picked up Kristi at a local Holiday Inn Express the next morning (after a gorgeous sunrise over the lake), then continued west to Watford City, ND. 

At Devil’s Lake we were the only campers for the night, but oh, the boats! Pontoons, ski boats, even a sailboat, but mostly fishing boats, designed to go 180 mph and then sit in one place all day. 

Devil's Lake sunrise

The drive was fairly flat, becoming rolling hills, and with corn, wheat, soy, sunflowers, hay, and grass growing alongside the road for miles. The hay-bale-and-silo scenery changed to include oil pump jacks (called nodding donkeys) and oil storage tanks along with the crops. You may recall the Bakken oil field boom back in the early 2000s. Many of the pumps are still working, producing over 1200 million barrels of oil per day!

Sunflower fields for miles and miles

Westward ho! The next day we arrived at our home for the two-day stay in Watford City: Tobacco Garden Resort and Marina. In this case, “resort” is a term to be taken loosely. Kristi rented a cabin which turned out to be “rustic.” Meaning no sheets, no pillow, no running water. However it did have electricity, air conditioning, heat, and a mouse.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park (TRNP) has 3 sections: North Unit, South Unit, and Elkhorn Ranch. Painted Canyon is technically part of the South Unit, but is a 10 minute drive away. It was quite an experience from the first gorgeous glimpse to the last starry night. 

Since Watford City is the gateway town to the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, we left for the North Unit after securing a sleeping bag and pillow for Kristi. As we came over the usual grassy hill, Bam! We were hit with the amazing sight of the Badlands!

Our first look at the Badlands in North Dakota.
TRNP is at the northern end of the geologic area named "land bad" by the natives.

We took the mandatory pics at the park sign, spent time at the visitors center watching the park movie, learned some of the history of the area, and procured hiking maps. After loading back into the truck we began to drive into the park. Not 100 yards from the visitors center we saw our first bison! 

You never forget your first bison!

Here is the bison's actual distance away.
Kristi's keen eyes spotted him.

We also stopped at an area called Cannonball Concretions. I have never seen this type of round condensed mass of rock, but apparently they are all over the world where sedimentary rock exists. Here's a link if you would like to learn more. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concretion

Cannonball Concretion. It's the one not wearing yoga pants.

Kristi found a trail to the top.
Well not quite the TOP, as you can see the cliff goes quite a bit higher.

Next stop was a nature trail with a view of the Little Missouri River and much of the flora found in the park such as cottonwood and ash trees, wildflowers, and sagebrush. The Little Missouri is a force in this area of the country, being responsible for the Badlands, canyons and grazing lands in the area. 

Broom Snakeweed and Curlycup Gumweed

Since we planned to spend the entire next day in the park, we headed back to Tobacco Garden Resort for dinner in the camper. Kristi enjoyed her night with no running water but a running mouse, while we conked out quickly and slept well. 

The following day we returned to the North Unit of TRNP to complete the hikes and see the sights. The rugged beauty of this area is astounding and we realize cell phone photography just doesn't capture the wild, wide-open wonder of this park. 

The darkest striation is coal.

We continued the drive through the TRNP North Unit, stopping at many overlooks, trails, and a few bison herds.

Riverbend Overlook - a great view of the "Lil Mo"

Riverbend Rocks 

The CCC built many buildings and shelters in our National Parks in the 1930s. 
Most of these are in great shape considering they are 90 years old. 

Handsome fellow

They were right on the road. No need to zoom in.

Literally right on the road! "Obstacle in road ahead."

Baby bison. Mama was not far away.

This gal was making a grunting noise. Time to move on.

I finish our tour of the North Unit with this quote from TR:

“Here is your country. Cherish these natural wonders, cherish the natural resources, cherish the history and romance as a sacred heritage, for your children and your children's children. Do not let selfish men or greedy interests skin your country of its beauty, its riches or its romance.”

― Theodore Roosevelt 

https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/44567.Theodore_Roosevelt