Feral Horses in the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. To give you an idea of the time period that Roosevelt fell in the love with the area, he told two favorite stories from the Dakota Territory: The Bar Fight and the adventure of Pursuing Boat Thieves. Photo #1 by Sarah Nystrom / NPS
North Dakota Badlands Overlook at Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The park is made up various ecosystems such as flood plains, forests prairies and grasslands, and rivers and streams. Roosevelt said, “The preservation of the useful and beautiful animal and bird life of the country depends largely upon creating in the young an interest in the life of the woods and fields.” Photo #2 by Sarah Nystrom / NPS
Porcupine perch in a tree at the park. Photo #3 by NPS
Oh give me a home, where the buffalo roam . . . TRNP. Photo #4 by Alex1961
‘Cannonball concretions pullout.’ Photo #5 by MDuchek
Sunset over the North Dakota badlands. Photo #6 by Sarah Nystrom / NPS
A small group of elk on the Ridgeline Nature Trail. Photo #7 by Nathan King / NPS
Storm forming over Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Photo #8 by Chris
More wild horses roaming the park. In 1901, Teddy Roosevelt said, “We get exactly as much in hunting with the camera as in hunting with the rifle; and of the two, the former is the kind of sport which calls, for the higher degree of skill, patience, resolution, and knowledge of the life history of the animal sought.” Photo #9 by Sarah Nystrom / NPS
Theodore Roosevelt National Park has the 3rd largest petrified forest in the USA. Photo #10 by Mary Brazell
“Prairie-dogs are abundant…; they are in shape like little woodchucks, and are the most noisy and inquisitive animals imaginable. They are never found singly, but always in towns of several hundred inhabitants; and these towns are found in all kinds of places where the country is flat and treeless,” said Theodore Roosevelt. NPS asked, Did you know that “coyotes and badgers both benefit by cooperating to catch prairie dogs? The badger tunnels into the prairie dog burrow after its prey while the coyote waits by the exit to catch prairie dogs fleeing from the badger.” Photo #11 by S Nystrom / NPS
Rain pillars in wildnerness portion of TRNP. Photo #12 by Mary Brazell / NPS
‘Warning unstable area’ for viewing, hiking, or exploring the landscape. Photo #13 by joevare
Young bison calf. Photo #14 by Nathan King / NPS
Painted Canyons, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota. Photo #15 by steve_h
Cannon Ball Concretion: According to NPS, “This boulder is known as a ‘concretion’. The concretions are formed within sedementary rocks such as shale or sandstone. They form as minerals are deposited around a core. As the surrounding rocks erode, the ‘cannon balls’ become exposed.” Photo #16 by M. Readey
‘Campground host’ – bison visit the Cottonwood campground. Photo #17 by S Nystrom / NPS
This picture could be a postcard of the Badlands. Photo #18 by Jellaluna
The photographer said of this juvenile bison, “Getting old enough to shave.” Photo #19 by Nic McPhee
A coyote patrols through a prairie dog town while feral horses graze. Photo #20 by NPS
Early morning at Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Photo #21 by Chiot’s Run
More feral horses. Watching the wildlife is one of the highlight attractions of visiting Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Photo #22 by Chiot’s Run
Not another soul in sight, making it seem like it could still almost be the Wild West. Photo #23 by Chris
The Little Missouri River at the North Unit. The park is fenced to stop the bison, wild feral horses, and cattle from getting out of the park, but other animals like deer, elk, and pronghorn can jump over or go under the fence. Photo #24 by joevare
The photographer wrote, “Another of the ornery bison that tried to interfere with my hike at Theodore Roosevelt National Park. I got my revenge by taking a picture while his mouth was full :-).” Photo #25 by Nic McPhee
Theodore Roosevelt said of these bizarre rock formations, “The Badlands grade all the way from those that are almost rolling in character to those that are so fantastically broken in form and so bizarre in color as to seem hardly properly to belong to this earth.” Photo #26 by steve_h
Panorama of the park. Photo #27 by Chris
Rocky Mountain mule deer. Photo #28 by Matt Reinbold
Brrr! North Dakota winter coats the badlands in snow. Photo #29 by Nathan King / NPS
The park maintains a small group of longhorn steers. Photo #30 by Nathan King / NPS
TRNP Cannonball Concretions. Photo #31 by Mary Brazell / NPS
Winter at the Maltese Cross Cabin where Roosevelt first came in 1883 to hunt buffalo. Roosevelt said, “I do not believe there ever was any life more attractive to a vigorous young fellow than life on a cattle ranch in those days. It was a fine, healthy life, too; it taught a man self-reliance, hardihood, and the value of instant decision…I enjoyed the life to the full.” Photo #32 by Nathan King / NPS
The historic Maltese Cross Cabin’s kitchen. Photo #33 by NPS
The photographer noted, “A member of the bison herds at Theadore Roosevelt National Park, a reminder of the huge herds that once migrated across the Midwest.” Photo #34 by Nic McPhee
Sunset at Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Photo #35 by GreenLight Designs (jwgreen)
These photos really make a person want to be there.
THIS IS WHERE IS GREW UP. I LOVE THE BADLANDS AND THE PRAIRIE. I WAS BORN IN SANISH, N.D. WHICH IS NOW NEW TOWN. WE OFTEN WENT TO HAVE A PICNIC IN THE PARK SOUTH OF WATFORD CITY. THE BADLANDS ARE SO BEAUTIFUL. I AM NOW 82 YRS OLD AND LIFE IN DES MOINES, WASHINGTON. I HOPE TO VISIT THEM ONE MORE TIME IF I CAN GET MY DAUGHTER TO TAKE ME. SHE HAS JUST GOT TO SEE THE BEAUTY OF THE LAND WHERE I GREW UP.
Shirley, I was sent this email about the ND Badlands, the pictures are beautiful, then I read this post and you mentioned Sanish, ND, My great parents moved to Keene in 1908, had 10 children, then during the depression in the mid 30’s sold everything and moved to MN to start all over. Although I do have a great uncle how died in 1934 who is buried in the Good Hope Cemetery. I’ve visited New Town back in the early 1980’s, haven’t been back since, would love to go, to see where my ancestors farm us to be and also visit my great uncles grave to pay respect. Anyway, I hope too that someday you’ll get to go back and visit.. Take care, Jon
I was born in Devils Lake and remember traveling to the Badlands when I was around 10 years old. I never forgot the beauty of the place. I now live in Vermont, another beautiful place.
Nice to read your note and Jon’s.
Peggy
beautiful fotos of a beautiful land.
thx for sharing.
As a native North Dakotan, these beautiful photos reminded me of the many times I trekked across the state from Grand Forks to see Medora and the beautiful scenery of TR National Park.The last time I was there, Bison blew wads of Bison snot all over my new car, storms brewed far to the west, and the sky seemed on fire. As someone who grew up in the rich top soil of prehistoric Lake Agassi in and around Grand Forks, I could feel what TR must have felt about the the Badlands…a magical place of serenity to help the mind and soul find peace.
Hi – I just found your website by googling for beautiful gardens in China. Your site is SO wonderful! It just made my day! Have a wonderful week!
[…] in the same spot as Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota where the buffalo still roam but Grand Teton has its own share of bison. Photo #7 by Jeff […]
these pics are soooooooo pretty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11
I agree. Soooooo great.
[…] Love These Pics […]
Spectacular photography! Thank you for sharing and maintaining this website!
[…] Theodore Roosevelt National Park: Where Wildlife & Buffalo Still Roam […]
As a NY native we have some Roosevelt areas in our State. I’ve never seen this park on any site and hope to received many more pictures. Especially of animals which I love. The areas and the sunsets are absolutely gorgeous. So nice to see places like this and it certainly makes me happier to live in the United States.
Absolutely gorgeous pics of this beautiful North Dakota National Park! I hope to visit this before I am unable to do so!
[…] under the stars at Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota. “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. […]
[…] under the stars at Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota. “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. […]
Always said that we lived in “Gods country, these pictures sure do prove it!! We live in Jamestown, but have been to the Badlands several times, made sure our children got to see the beautiful country out West!!
Really beautiful. I’ve heard of the badlands but I’ve never seen pictures of it. Very nice.
I have never seen such a beautiful country. It makes me want to move to North Dakota. Those mountain range are truly breathtaking. Thanks for sharing.
“More wild horses roaming the park. In 1901, Teddy Roosevelt said, “We get exactly as much in hunting with the camera as in hunting with the rifle; and of the two, the former is the kind of sport which calls, for the higher degree of skill, patience, resolution, and knowledge of the life history of the animal sought.”
True enough. Of course Teddy was an avid hunter and the only shots he took were AT game.
Bully!
I grew up in Hazen, N. Dak. I started deer hunting with my dad and some of his friends out of Medora
north of the park in 1954. We stayed in a little homemade camper at the Dave Mcleod ranch. It was so cold that the water in the camper froze. We had an old Jeep with no heater or back door, just an old rug for a curtain. In spite of that we all got some nice mule deer bucks and I hunted there for 25 years. It was a wonderful experience in my life.
Hi, you probably don’t remember me, I worked for Dr.K. there in Richardton. I love the Badlands also, this past summer they were so green and pretty. And the musical was great. hope you got to see the area again. I live in Texas now….but go home every chance I get. ND sorta has my heart.
We would like to visit this park, we live in Oregon.
Is there tours and just how could we make this happen-?
Would be coming via RV
George Standish
I live in oregon. I am from there. All you need to do is just go there. There are camp grounds, trails and maps. It is a wonderful place and great fun. check out Medora North Dakota
George:
You don’t need tours. Both units have scenic drives with plenty of pullouts if you want to take pictures. They also each have a campground; no electric or sewer, but flush toilets, water is available and the N. Unit has a dump station. I practically grew up in the Badlands, and we camp in both N. & S. units several times a year.
We have camped all over the US(including Alaska), Canada, and Mexico—– IT IS EASY TO CAMP IN ALL THE NATIONAL PARKS- JUST GO!!!!! The Visitor Center has all the information you need— ranger talks and walks every day——– ALSO USE GOOGLE TO GET INFORMATION—- We have visited “out west” numerous times with children and grandchildren— NOTHING LIKE “PLAYING” ALL OVER THE BADLANDS!!!!!!
I see people commenting on Hunting. I’m pretty sure the animals are protected there.. not to hunt..
[…] of Grand Teton National Park [60 PICS] Adventure Lovers’ Paradise: Arches National Park [47 PICS] Theodore Roosevelt National Park: Where Wildlife & Buffalo Still Roam Erupting Volcanic Paradise: Lava Rivers & Spatter Fountains of Hawaii [48 PICS] Lonely Yet […]
As a geologist, this has been the most interesting national parks that i have been to. There really is a bunch of geologic action in these badlands. Great place. I would love to visit here again.
Jim Halloran
We visited the park in 1991 and thoroughly enjoyed every mile…all the hills, rock formations, and animals. We have beautiful parks in Washington, but the scenery is quite different.
My wife and I went to the Bad Lands for our honeymoon. I took a lot of pictures of the landscape with no idea of the names of the
formations that I was photographing. i was a student at the University of Colorado majoring in Geology. One of the courses that I was taking was called, “Geologic Reports”. We were required to write 5 reports for publication and then give an oral report to the class. One of my reports was on the Bad Lands. I made a slide show of the pictures I took and did a lot of research on the Bad Lands. The oral presentation and the slide show was a big hit and I got an “A” in the class.
Loved all the pictures. Makes me want to take a vacation out there.
I was born in Beulah, ND; lived in Mandan – visited Hazen and several other towns. These pictures are beautiful – I visited the Badlands on several trips. These brought back memories. Thank you.
I spent several years in South Dakota badlands area as a member of an Army unit providing ground to aid missle protection to an air base. The badland there are like these-beautiful, but remote. Why so many people today want to destroy all we have-God help their understanding of his creations.
These pictures made my day. I love planet Earth and support all animal causes. I am an Ex-Pat in Costa Rica (another beautiful country). I have a friend here named Gail Nystrom. Wonder if there is any relation to Sarah? Wonderful photographs. Feels like I was there!
These beautiful pictures brought back so many memories! We were full time RVers and just loved this park and the badlands.Thanks for the memories.
I am an archair traveler and these pictures made me feel like I was there. Beautiful. Truly is God’s country.
Beautiful creation of God. Breath taking views. Pennsylvania is beautiful in its own way,
however the West is just full of big and small animals of all kind. Thanks for the travel tour.
I was born on Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation, Belcourt, ND. I grew up in Rapid City, SD. I did go to the SD Badlands numerous times, and think that they are beautiful. I like the Badlands at sunset and when it starts to get dark, as the formations and outlines are beautiful. I didn’t know there also were Badlands in ND. These are beautiful pictures. Thank you.
I was born in Sidney, Montana and learned to ride horses on a small ranch of about 5000 acres north of TR National Park but also on the Little Missouri River. Later I used to drive from Sidney to Minnesota and always stopped at the Teddy Roosevelt Park overlook going or coming from Sidney. I took so many photos of what could be seen from the highway and the road used to pass much closer to the ranch headquarters than it does now; there used to be hairpin turns in the road near the ranch. The variation in the colors of the prairie grasses from Spring to Fall are amazing.
I basically grew up in the shadow of the badlands….. and I still love seeing these pics no matter when. I remember going on hikes here with my aunts & uncles when they’d come back to visit. These uncles, along with my mother grew up in the “brakes”– basically the land just before these badlands, which is rather rugged country too, and it has a beauty all it own. Suffice to say, this is “God’s country”!
I spent a weekend camping & visiting Theodore Roosevelt National Park. It is wild, rugged, and beautiful. The best part is that there are less than 500,000 visitors a year! This is one National Park that should be on everybodys bucket list! It was a bit scary when the buffalo came wandering through the camping area. We were in a smaller tent!
You’ve got the magic, magic, magic!!!
Beautiful to share these. Thank you!
These photos have to be some of the best I have ever seen thanks. I been there many times and every time is like a breath of fresh air to my spirit. I live in Missouri now but I traveled to Sturgis Bike Rally many times and it is beautiful there.
These beautiful pictures brought back a lot of good memories
When I was 16 my buddy & I worked the wheat harvest in Oklahoma, bought a 31 chevy and folowed the harvest north. One night we pulled into the bad lands to sleep the night in the chevy I am now 83
How about Bighorn Sheep and Mountain Lions
and the Rattle Snakes that live around the Prairie Dog towns.
be care full about hiking it is very hot and you can’t carry enough water to make it more than a day. They don’t call it the badlands for nothing. The auto tour is probably enough for most people.
AWESOME! The photos are beautiful and tell the story of the beauty that surrounds us. Living here in Colorado we see it daily and seeing it spread throughout the country as Theodore Roosevelt did makes one think more about the creation. Theodore Roosevelt was a man of vision who understood the value of our environment and the need to protect this valuable land. Today he might shed a tear but the foot steps he has left us still guides and protects much of the beauty he experienced.
Thanks Teddy, God bless!
In the summer of 1955, my family tent camped in probably the roughest area of the Badlands during a car trip from Wyckoff, NJ to Oregon and northern California. Mom and dad were teachers and we had the summer off to explorer the United States during 1955 and 1960. It was clear during the day and evening, but later that night the sky opened up and what had been a dry camp quickly became a sticky, muddy mess. Dad and I struggled through the wet clay “gumbo” as dad called it, which stuck to our shoes and everything else, to strike the tents and hastily pack everything into the 1953 Plymouth Savoy station wagon. That was a night I will never forget.
I grew up near Beach, south of Medora. Last weekend we camped in Medora and went for a sunset ride in the park. So many of the animals were out, especially buffalo, horses,elk, deer and a coyote. It was exciting to see the animals in their natural environment. The Medora musical was excellent. One must never underestimate the beauty of all types of nature.
I’m a native Californian who visited a bunch of relatives in this area last year, although we didn’t have time to get to the Badlands. My sis and I said we’d be back to investigate! I’d like to ride my TWH from the South Unit to the North whilst rereading TR’s book about the cowboy life. Is there a trail the whole way, and can one rough-camp along the way?
The pics are great….some of the erosional ones remind me of Death Valley!
Thank you for the beautiful photos which showed ND to one who has never been there. A very long time
ago family members from Norway settled in the Dakota territory to raise horses so I may still have
relatives there I do not know. Too bad. Grand state !
I grew up in NE North Dakota and my family has had reunions at Medora twice. One time, we even went for trail ride on horseback. It was so enjoyable and we’ve seen several of the pics in this presentation. It is such a wonderful place to visit and enjoy God’s wonderful nature. And yes, been to the outdoor theatre twice; great both times.
Thanks for doing this for all to see.
was there 5 days ago. medora musical, scenic drive just north of there. saw a whole herd of may be 10 bison with 2 calvees
Born S.D…. Chenenne River Sioux Indian Reservation.
As a youngster had been to the S.D. Badlands , very senic also. Thank You for the fantastic photos
of the N.D. Badlands. Makes a visit there very compelling. Now in Washington State.
30 years ago, my husband was a long-haul owner/operator, and we stopped to see the Bad Lands. We took an airplane ride over the area and left feeling overwhelmed with the beauty, ruggedness and wondering what the pioneers in their covered wagons felt the first time they saw what was ahead. A truly awesome place.
My dad was born in Gregory S.D.his family moved to Vermont when he was 4 years old. I have always wanted to visit there as well as N. Dakota as it sounds like a wonderful areas with a lot of history which I love. The pictures are great but I’m sure it’s not like being there in person. I will be 78 soon and I guess I will never see that part of our great country. Thanks for your wonderful photo’s.
I have lived in ND all my life and we visit the park every year in August. It always looks fresh and new each year. We can’t forget that there is a wonderful musical at amphitheater every night during the summer. It is wonderful to sit out under the stars and experience the bueaty of the skys and hills and enjoy the show. You have to see it to appreciate it.
theather It is wonderful to sit out under the stars and watch the live show. You have to be there to expereince the magic,
I love this land. If you do to, write the President and your Congressman/women to protect it, as the land just outside of the Theodore Roosevelt Park is up for gas and oil exploration. The landscape, as we know it will be devastated.
…stunning~! Gods gift~! HIS cathedral …for our benefit~!!! THANK YOU Lord~!!!!
My wife and I viewed some of the sites in the mid 90’s enroute to Washington state to see my oldest brother who also loves the great outdoors and was an avid hunter and loved to fish and hunt. We need to preserve the park for time and memorial for many generations to follow behind us.
You see……we haven’t seen everything. Keep looking and the world rewards. Forever.
Thanks for the amazing pictures! Drove through the Badlands this summer on our way to a school reunion. Wonderful memories of many trips through this area. The oil traffic was not a problem for us. What about Roosevelt’s home? Is it still there and open for tours yet? Interesting history there. Thanks for sharing a very unknown secret of beautiful land!
What beautiful memories I have of driving through the Badlands as a kid – we had moved from Seattle back to Minnesota where I grew up, but each year we would travel to the west coast to visit our relatives
– sometimes we’d meet in Yellowstone, but I remember the trips via the Badlands with the canvas water bag tied to the front of the car (to keep the radiator cool?) – now I’m going to have to make a trip back there so my husband can see what he missed! Thanks for the wonderful photos!
AS an Aussie in Sydney Australia it is special to see these photos- thank you. It would be great to visit however my bucket list is full of places in Aus. also with great character. Some very close here in the Northern Subs of Sydney surrounded by National Parks
The world is a fascinating place & the US story is special. Our Son & family lived in Bishop California for a year or so, & loved the deserts & Mountains they visited there.
The Badlands head my Bucket list #2
Cheers from Sydney
Ross Teakle 11th September
Incredible. A glimpse of an incredible part of the National Park system that most will only see this way. Marvelous work to share and enjoy, over and over.
These pictures are wonderfully. My question would be is some of the scenery and animals available to see and photograph fairly close to the roads? At 72 and four hip operations my hiking days are coming to an end.
Yes, you can actually drive through the park and most likely there will be Buffalo along the drive, it’s really a nice drive through the park. I would definitely recommend it, it’s a fun place.
HAVING BEEN BORN SOME 80 PLUS YR AGO ON A RANCH JUST NORTH OF WIBAUX MT IT WAS NORMAL FOR US
TO PICNIC IN THIS AREA ON SPECIAL OCCASIONS BUT I STILL MARVEL AT THE BEAUTY OF THE PLACE AND
GO BY WHEN I VISIT WIBAUX.
THE TERRAIN OF OUR RANCH WAS A LOT LIKE THIS PARK AND A LITTLE WAY NORTH WAS THE OLD WIBAUX
RANCH BARN AND AS KIDS WE KNEW WHERE TO FIND DOG SIZE PETRIFIED BONES. IT TOOK A LOT OF YEARS
OF CITY LIFE TO MAKE ME APPRECIATE IT ALL.
THEY SAY YOU CANT GO BACK BUT TO THIS YOU CAN.
These were awesome pictures and I truly enjoyed viewing them. The one of the prairie dogs brought back great memories, as I remember my Dad telling me he found a prairie dog and kept it for a pet for quite a few years. My Dad was born in 1901, so this happened in the early 1900’s, gosh that seems to tell you that I am 91 years of age, young at heart, but slightly older in other places. I thank you for you giving me the opportunity to view these pictures. Love and GODS Blessings, To All
Took my family thru there in July 1865 and took them on a grasshopper helicopter ride thru the area.
The pilot was a vet from Korean War (Police Action). It thrilled my wife to see him bless himself
every time he dropped into a gully or wash. A memorable time and in such a beautiful place.
Never to be forgotten.
Quite an array of great photos providing more reasons to support the notion of our national Parks.
My father helped to build this gorgeous Theodore Roosevelt Park when he worked at the CC camp in the early 30s. He also had a service station at which he advertised the original rattlesnake pit holdings as a contest for free gas. I have always loved the badlands. Thanks for these gorgeous photos.
[…] in North Dakota, bison at the Little Missouri River, Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Peak North Dakota foliage dates are predicted to be from Oct. 5 – 21. Photo #33 by Good […]
The government spends lots of money building and maintaining presidential libraries while nature provides us access to the thoughts and aspirations of President Theodore Roosevelt. The pictures of the Badlands are great lessons in geography and natural history. Thanks for sharing. Alfred Simmons.
I was born in Lead, SD but moved to CA as a baby, but we went back to the Black Hills and Southern Hills every summer. My grandfather worked for the U. S. Government on the reservation (he was the head carpenter for governmental projects) so we also went to Badlands often. I have shared their beauty and history with my children, hoping that they will value our natural history.
As we return to the west coast , we always stop and see the western show that is put on in Medora, great show for everyone to stop and see how the true life of the old western cowboy’s who lived in that time period. A great time frame of western life.
Our graduation class from McGregor High School took our senior trip to Medora and the park. It
looks as good or better then it did in 1948.
These photos come in the category of WOW!!!!! How LUCKY we have to have such beauty, raw and wild, as this wonderful national park and we must give thanks for Mr. Roosevelt for his foresight.
I knew it was pretty, but beautiful is more like it.
I worked on my uncle’s ranch near Belfield, ND in 1958, was able to view the many wonderful scenes. Was able to attend the performance of “Old Four-Eyes” in the Burning Hills Amphitheater Medora, ND. I have a copy of the program, which is in very condition. Has picture when the first theater was built, I sat on the bleacher to view the performance.
There is a trail that goes from Sulley Creek State park, just south of Medora to nearly Watford City, it’s 96 miles long and it’s called the Maah Daah Hey trail and it’s amazing. My wife and I ride Sulley Creek but have only rode 20 miles of it on our TWH and MO Foxtrotter. It’s a great ride and you get to cross a creek, just be careful if you are on the river side, make sure you cross where the trail is. That mud on the river banks can be dangerous for a horse. It’s a great ride and such a fun adventure. If you want to go further than my Wife and I, they have campsites about every 16 miles and you can ride that trail north. That is definitely on our bucket list to ride the Maah Daah Hey. Enjoy, the Badlands are a wonderful adventure and we really like to go to the Medora musical. It’s set in a nice little cully with the backdrop being the Badlands, it’s cute and a fun family event. Enjoy you won’t be disappointed, to one of the other comments, it does get very hot and dry, so bring water, you will need it. At the Sulley Creek campsite, the trailhead to the Maah Daah Hey, they have a primitive campsite but they have horse corrals and water for the horses. Like I said, enjoy, I love being here and I’ve been all over the world, but born and raised in Fairview, MT.
I was born in Velva North Dakota in 1939, and raised by my grand parents Jack and Anna McDonald. We lived on a farm 5 miles East of Velva on the Mouse river. We milked 21 cows by hand and went to town every Saturday to sell cream and eggs. I went to Mimer country school from the 5th to 8th grades. We made many trips to the Badlands and Medora North Dakota. This is such beautiful country where the buffalo and deer run free. I was always proud to be from North Dakota. I loved this beautiful state.
My families root in the United States started in the SW corner of North Dakato (Bowman/Scranton area)in the earlier 1900. Dad and my Grand Father (Mom’s side) homesteaded there – they came from Europe. Dad lost his homestead after the Depression and Dust Bowl, then moved to Detroit Area (that’s where I started my life). Went back in 1976 for a family reunion( my Grand Mother on Mom’s side still lived in Bowman. On our travels we took in the Badlands, Spearfish, Black Hills and of course, Mt. Rushmore and ya’ jist have to stop at Wall Drugs. The great memories remain firmly inplanted in my mind and pictures of course. An area of our great country that remain pretty much the same as it was a long time ago – natural beauty, calms, quiet and pristine. Heck, even visited a sod home in teh Bowman area, that had electic power (the home was built in the 1920’s) and a calendar on the wall & a Sears Catalog from 1974. Mom’s one room school house was still standing and the win brak trees for Dad’s hom still remain, the house was gone but a my older brothers Radio Flyer wagon was still there – one wheel missing, a bit rusty. The family that bought Dad’s homestead for back taxes (~$1400) said the would leave the wagon there if my brother ever came back and wanted to get it – hard to find people like that. Tried to fidn space in teh trunks but with five in our car – there wasn’t much room. If you ever go there, it is a long drive across either N or S Dakota – east to west or west to east – 420 miles. But it is well worth it.
Tugs at my heart — how much longer will we have this pristine area?
ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC PHOTOS! I have seen many of the scenes first hand.
Roger thank your for directing me to these beautiful pictures.
Roger and his sister and mom and dad lived here for many years near South Heart, Belfield
on their homestead. His mom Rose told me about the dust bowl days and the grasshoppers eating
everything. She always prayed for rain for good reason.
My mom was spent the first few years years of her life just south of Medora at Sully Springs.
My mom , Margaret, and I went through there many times for Memorial days to check the grave sites
of relatives and pay respect to those buried there. We had reunions there and moms favorite place was the bad lands and going to the Medora Play.
These pictures show how a person who lived there would always be in love with the beauty and peace of these lands. The 20 degree below zero winters and hot and dry summers make it a challenging place to live. Right Roger.
Great Photos Rudy!!!Thanks Bub…………
The morning after I graduated from high school I left for Wyoming to become a cowboy. By the time city schools got out itwas too late so I eventually ended up on a wildcatting crew and playing starting shortstop for the local Semi-Pro baseball team. We were all over the badlands that summer and I took my family back to see where I had been and to visit old friends and family in 1969.
Oh what grand memories this invokes. Thanks for a thrilling reminissence.
Beautiful scenes,like a canvas. Here in Ky. We have bison and elk re:membering to our area known as land between the lakes(LBL)
I have lived in ND all my life and it still takes my breath away. The photographers did a beautiful job of capturing the sights.
I and my brothers an sister;s were born in Jamestown No. Dak. we moved to Billings Montana just before World war 2.
Iwould like to go back for a visit which is unlikly at age 81.
God bless everyone!
We lived in Williston North Dakota in the early 1970’s. Richard managed the JCPenney store. We always loved taking our camper with our three young children to the Badlands for a weekend get away! So peaceful & such breathtaking beauty…..they should have named it the “God’s Good Lands”! We now are retired & live in Wenatchee Washington…a wonderful state with it’s own kind of beauty!
The horses are so beautiful,have a love for all animals but the horse is my pick. Love nature love our mountains in Tennessee. We do get to see some wild life as we drive thru Cades Cove,also beautiful. Thanks for these pics. Dorothy
Thank you very much , Margot .. What wonderful memories , I wish I could go back .. You live in a wonderful country . LOL Jackie
[…] in North Dakota, bison at the Little Missouri River, Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Peak North Dakota foliage dates are predicted to be from Oct. 5 – 21. Photo #33 by Good […]
My Dad, Grandmother and 2 Uncles homesteaded in the breaks of the Badlands in 1910 -1914 then they all moved to Arnegard, ND, which is on the frenge of the breaks. I was born there and spent much of my youth roaming around in the badlands. I spent many week-ends on ranches in the breaks. We found many Indian artifacts and even dinosaur bones, which we threw away. I would spend week-ends in the CCC camp on the Missouri River in the Northern part of the park. The CCC boys built a lot of bridges, etc. in the park. I remember in the early 30’s, when they had rodios in our town that they used wild horses from the badlands and they could really buck. I consider the badlands my
second home. I am now 94 years old and doing great. I still drive and take many long trips in
my car. Thankyou for the beautifl pictures and I recognized many of them. I now live in Rapid City, SD. Our Black Hills have their own beauty. Come visit.
My wife and I are from North Dakota. She is a farm girl from Killdeer and I, an old city slicker, from Bismarck. We both grew up in this beautiful state. Both of us have seen TR Park many, many times and each time we see it it becomes more beautiful. I remember one time where I had stepped out of the vehicle to take a picture of the surrounding area when unknown to me at the time, a male buffalo walked up behind me and snorted. I turned around to see this huge animal standing there just gazing at me, and I of course, was not only gazing, but completely petrified of this huge animal. Eventually he went his way, and I mine. But it was a moment in time where two beings were just wondering who the other was or possibly admiring creations difference. I thank God for allowing me to grow up in such a great state. My wife and I now live in Phoenix, Arizona but still try to get back to our roots each year. Thank you North Dakota for great memories.
Both my sets of grandparents homesteaded in North Dakota. One set north of Dickinson and one set south of Dickinson. Lived there until I was 22 when a married a man from Pennsylvania and followed him in the military for 30 years. Now live in PA but love going home for a visit and the first place I want to go spend the day is in the Badlands. No better place to have grown up then that great state. Thank you for the wonderful pictures.
We live in the very NE part of the state near the Canadian border in Pembina County.
We go to Medora as our summer vacation nearly every summer. We love everything about
Medora. We enjoy walking every single marked trail in the Park, taking a full day
with lots of stops and pictures. Some of the places are in the pictures above. We
raise bison at our ranch, so we know exactly what they are like. Medora is such
a beautiful place. I hope people take some time and go visit this part of North
Dakota. It is breath taking. Love that Painted Canyon!! That is always our first
stop and going home, the last stop. Thanks for all the pictures. I have so many
of the Badlands, Medora and TR Park!
How appropriate this land is named after President Theodore Roosevelt. I remember one of his great quotes. “The only man that does not make a mistake is the man who never does anything.
He has always been my hero along with Ben Franklin. There are others, but these two top my list.
I loved the photos. I was born and raised in Harvey, ND and my husband Marvin was born in Hot Springs, SD. We have visited this area a number of times and have never been disappointed.
I love these beautiful photos of the Badlands in North Dakota. It brings back fond memories of our Family trips back in the 50’s and 60’s when Dad and Mom would take us kids and Grandmother out west for family reunions. When we kids got too rambunctious with poor Grandmother, Dad would pull over and let us kids out to scramble over all the hills along the way. The highlight of the trip was staying at friends big Ranch near Deadwood, South Dakota and riding their energetic horses. Hopefully these beautiful Parks will not be destroyed by the greedy Oil & Gas companies and political lobbyists.
My family and I live on the other side of the state of North Dakota. The distance does not deter us from making the trek to Teddy Roosevelt Park once a year. We’ve been there so much, that when looking at the pictures, I wonder which angle the picture was taken in order to vision me standing there. I have taken so many of those pictures as well. Last summer we were privileged to take a video of a galloping herd of wild horses going by. If you haven’t been there, you need to. It is one of those “best kept secrets” that need to be on your ‘places to go’ list. Fantastic place.
Thank you for these wonderful pictures!!! My husband Tom and I took our children on many trips out west over the years and these are great memories for us all to this day. I also visited North and South Dakota many, many times as a child. We have always live in Beautiful Wisconsin, but the beauty of the west has always been a draw in our lives. We all appreciate Teddy Roosevelt for setting this land aside for all the world’s people to enjoy!!!
I have never seen any thing like these pictures I so want to go there and some day I will GOD willing and the creeks don’t rise thank you so much for sharing all this beauty with us I enjoyed it so much its too beautiful for words thank you and HAPPY NEW YEAR TOO YOU ALL!!!
Colorado used to be this beautiful until it got invaded by so many out of staters and illegal immigrants. Now our mountains are so crowded and littered that I am starting to spend my vacations in places like this with a earning to move to those wide open spaces.
I didn’t realize North Dakota had badlands too. Beautiful pictures. In 1965 I thought Pingree was the most beautiful place on earth when there attempting harvest wheat around bad weather which eventually won out sending us back to Nebraska. Well at least I met the most beautiful girl on earth there with the help of the bad weather keeping us out of the fields.
We visited the park for the first time in August, 2013 and what a treasure. We were privilaged to camp in there and able to experience first hand some of what these beautiful photos reveal. Brings back such great memories. Hope to return and enjoy this all again.
I have been to Theodore Roosevelt National Park many times. My first stop was in 1997 and I was on my way to Glacier National Park from Illinois. Since then, I have made it a goto destination even taking my mom who was in her late seventies the first time. I have MANY pictures and yours, are stunning. I was there last year and in 2012 and hope to run into you there one day!
Although I have driven through,camped” in my motorhome visited the lodge and hiked in the park, I have not seen much of the beauty shown in these pictures. They are truly remarkable. My wife, 2 daughters and I rode mules on the narrowest possible path up a mountainside that I will never forget. The mules were named after Snow White’s 7 dwarfs. My wife and I have visited 49 of the 50 states and are forever grateful for the Federal Park System. If you can’t visit them, get a good book on them. They are amazing to look at any way you can. Thanks for this look and the great memories brought to mind!
In addition to all of the compliments noted above, I find the badlands to be a place where one can truly meditate without disruption. A couple of years before I turned 75, I traveled through Medora and western North Dakota to visit a friend in Billings, MT. I stopped several times on the way to take in the beautiful views of the Badlands and always used the time to meditate about my life since my wonderful wife passed away. Honestly, a very spiritual encounter for me.
Thank you for the wonderful and scenic photos that brought back such fond memories.
Been to the “Bad Lands” it looks like God threw up! The Bad Lands are so mamouth and so colorful, I think it is wonderful.
Enjoyed looking at the beautiful pictures. Thank you so much for sharing them. I was born and raised in Eastern North Dakota, so did not get to see the Badlands until many years later. They are awesome! Wish everyone could see them.
Thank you so much for sharing these wonderful pictures and comments. My husband , my Mom, our children and I were fortunate in being able to explore this wonderful National Park and other Parks as well during summers when my children were off from school. We had experienced such joy and beauty, thrills beyond belief from our visits. Our children now share these beautiful Parks with their children. I feel blessed that we could travel to these areas and have lovely memories. Your pictures bring these memories back to me and I feel the joy of discovery again.
Thoroughly enjoyed seeing this collection of pictures. We are in the market for an RV and planning on traveling the USA to see as many of the National Parks that we can. Seeing the wild horses here would be a joy.