If you are an avid hiker like we are, hiking Theodore Roosevelt National Park should be added to your bucket list. This is definitely a place where the buffalo roam! There are miles and miles of hiking trails accessible to you. TRNP is located right outside of the small town of Medora, ND where there is a lot to see and do.
Stay and Play in Medora
The adventure starts, but doesn’t end in Medora with horseback riding, bike trails, hiking, camping, canoeing, wildlife, museums, musical, sightseeing, and so much more! It’s an adventure wonderland. We usually go twice a year in the spring or fall when all the tourists have left.
The Roughrider Hotel is where we stay and is considered a luxury hotel with the feel of the old west. There isn’t a pool, but you have access to other pools in town. We want to try one of the quaint cabins located in the country on our next trip. They look very peaceful and relaxing.
A fine dining restaurant is on site, which is really good, but eating there once a trip is enough because it can get expensive. Boots Bar and Grill or the Little Missouri are great places to eat. Both have good food, but we prefer Little Missouri.
Petrified Forest
You can spend hours hiking in Theodore Roosevelt Park. Today our journey started at the ancient Petrified Forest, which is a 10.3 mile hike, about 5-6 hours. It’s considered a moderate to strenuous hike, but it’s definitely more moderate if you are used to hiking. The trail also takes you on parts of the famous Maah Daah Hey trail.
If you aren’t into hiking, but want to see the petrified wood, you can take a short walk and explore the area. The area is a spectacular site.
Petrified wood is literally wood that has turned to stone. This process takes millions of years! Imagine what this site looked like that long ago…There are a few petrified forests across the world and Medora happens to be one of them. If you’re curious about other locations; look here.
The hike is mostly in open area, so we like to go in the spring or fall when the weather is more moderate. You won’t have much shelter from the summer heat if you happen to go on 90 degree day. Also, since you are walking out in the open, you won’t have a lot of protection from wild animals. If you are nervous about this, you may want to think twice about venturing too far on this hike. We saw a ton of buffalo, wild horses, antelope, coyotes, rabbits, prairie dogs, deer, and mule deer. There are also rattlesnakes, but we didn’t see any. Animals are just as afraid of you as you are of them, so if you act smart, there’s nothing to worry about. It’s part of the beauty and the adventure. They are all amazing creatures.
Make sure you dress appropriately and bring a lot of water! There aren’t any “facilities” out here in the wilderness. You should also bring something to eat. It’s not like you can run back to your car, run miles into town, have lunch and head back. Well, technically you could…but not recommended!
Our hike lasted until dusk and the coyotes were howling. It was fun to hear (the closer I got to my car). We were exhausted in the most fantastic way. You hikers know exactly what I’m talking about. My favorite kind of tired! We headed back into town, stopped at our favorite restaurant and went to bed early to get ready for hike day #2.
Lone Tree Loop
The second day we enjoyed the Lone Tree Loop. I have to laugh when I think about the name. I think there is one tree you can hide behind! Ha. Overall we aren’t afraid of the buffalo, but today, one wanted to cross our path. He seemed fine, but I didn’t want to take any chances and I think I was a mile ahead of my husband before he realized how fast I was actually walking! Remember, don’t run because the animals will want to chase you. Just walk very fast. I needed some distance between me and this beautiful, but very large animal.
The Lone Tree Loop is 9.6 miles, about 5-6 hour hike. To start off the hike, you have to cross the river. We were there in October and it was COLD! I had to stop in the middle from near hypothermia (ok, not really, but I felt like it) but I forged ahead. Once you cross, you’re like “well, that wasn’t so bad,” until you realize that’s also how you have to get home. Urg. Oh well…ahead we go. The hike was once again beautiful. You walk through a prairie dog town, which is pretty neat. After a couple hours, we took some time to take in the scenery on a rock ledge. I packed a Perrier for my hiking ‘treat.’ And it was good! In all seriousness, you should make sure you have enough water and some snacks to take along.
As you can see, you dress casually in TRNP. Bring comfortable clothes for day and night. And make sure to dress in layers. The temp difference from day to night can vary greatly.
Another popular spot for hiking in Theodore Roosevelt Park is the Maah Daah Hey Trail, which is approximately a 144 mile trail. It is really popular for bike races and horseback riding. We have only hiked parts of the trail, but one day we will do the whole thing. For more information about the Maah Daah Hey, you can find FAQ’s here.
Medora is rich in history and Theodore Roosevelt National Park is breathtaking. Many photographers flock to this destination for good reason. I can’t wait to get back and experience some new parts of the park.
Until then,
Happy Trails!