"I have always said that I would not have been President had it not been for my experience in North Dakota." - Theodore Roosevelt
Welcome to North Dakota
Theodore Roosevelt came to North Dakota as a young man. His experiences here would shape the rest of his life, even influencing his Presidency. He recognized the beauty and biodiversity that existed in the area and realized the need to preserve areas like this for future generations. After only three days in western North Dakota, I developed a deep appreciation for this wonderful territory.
Driving through North Dakota, you can be forgiven for falling under a trance as you pass through endless seas of grasslands that dance hypnotically in the strong winds. The only interruption being the occasional farm or lake.
At least until you get to Theodore Roosevelt National Park, and the grasslands suddenly plunge into deep canyons. Their sides painted in the colors of geological history, creating a stunning beauty that makes a long road trip extremely worthwhile!
Before I delve into what makes western North Dakota so special, I'll briefly describe my time in Fargo on the eastern side of the state. Fargo is a simple town on the banks of the Red River, which forms the border between North Dakota and Minnesota.
For me, the highlight is the downtown area. Broadway is the avenue that features all of the restaurants, shops, and bars that one could possibly want. Specifically, Fort Noks Bar of Gold (not a typo. It's actually spelled that way) is the predominant nightlife hotspot in downtown Fargo. There are also some nice parks to spend time at by the river.
I had the pleasure to golf at Rose Creek Golf Course (pictured below). It was well maintained with a friendly staff. Although I didn't play particularly well, I thoroughly enjoyed my round.
My second round of golf in North Dakota would come further west. Before I ever took a step in the national park, I played an evening round at Bully Pulpit Golf Course. It was my introduction to the jaw-dropping beauty that I would soon explore.
The back 9 holes of this course are particularly breathtaking. One of the holes with a great elevated tee box is pictured below. I describe the course in more detail here.
The drive to the course is stunning as you get your first glimpse of the national park. The best advice I can possibly give is: take your time and enjoy the views.
Now, the main event of my North Dakota adventures!
Two things stand out to me as I think about this national park: the landscape and the wildlife. From my first moments setting eyes on the glorious canyons, I was hooked.
The canyons seemingly go on forever as their vastness can be overwhelming. The top picture is of the South part of the park, and the bottom picture is from the north part of the park. Both parks are threaded together by the Little Missouri River, which you can see in the bottom picture.
This protected area offers a safe environment for a wide variety of animals, including (but not limited to) bison, prairie dogs, white-tailed deer, rattlesnakes, golden eagles, and wild horses.
The bison are truly fascinating creatures. Seemingly gentle giants weighing in at around 2,000 pounds, visitors must remember that they are not domesticated. Being able to run up to 30mph, it is best not to upset one of these majestic inhabitants of the park.
On a smaller scale there are prairie dog towns throughout the park, which you can easily spot by the mounds of dirt dotting the grassland. You may also hear tiny squeaks from the ground as the guards alert the community of your presence. It's truly quite cute until you realize they communicate constantly. Then it can become quite annoying. Still, they're adorable to watch as they frolic from mound to mound.
Every turn you take as you drive along could mean another encounter with nature. I was amazed by one such sight as a group of wild horses were perched upon a hill overlooking the grasslands.
Sometimes you just have to stop and let what you're seeing really soak in. This was certainly one of those times. If you plan on coming to the park for some hiking, then plan a few extra hours just to observe the wildlife.
There's certainly no shortage of hikes in either of the two parts of the park. However, I did most of my hiking in the south section. I only had one real day to hike in this part of the park, so I chose shorter hikes, which included:
- Painted Canyon Nature Trail (0.9mi)
- Coal Vein Nature Trail (0.8mi)
- Buck Hill Trail (0.4mi)
- Boicourt Overlook Trail (0.8mi) - pictured below
- Wind Canyon Trail (0.5mi)
The reason I chose to show the Boicourt Overlook Trail is because it thrilled me the most. Not because it was challenging or had the best view, but because that pathway gets awfully narrow. There's a substantial fall if you were to misstep too far to your left or right. Oh, and there was a wind advisory that day. Wind gusts topping out at just over 30mph!
Another sample of a typical North Dakota hike is pictured below.
Usually on my travel posts I include a section on the best place for mediation or quiet reflection. Honestly, you can find a good spot almost anywhere in the either the north or south section of the park.
The place I chose was actually in the northern part of the park. There was an old Civilian Conservation Corps camp overlooking the canyon and the Little Missouri River. It was a good place to find some shade, observe some wildlife, and reflect.
My time in North Dakota flew by, and I didn't expect to miss it as much as I do. I certainly hope to return one day and experience again the majestic landscape that inspired a President.
*check out my Instagram for more of my travel photography*
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