Best Time to Visit Theodore Roosevelt National Park + Wildlife You Can See (Bison, Bighorns, and Bird Mating Dances)

Theodore Roosevelt National Park (or some as some people call “Teddy Roosevelt National Park”) is arguably the best destination in North Dakota.  With amazing rock formations and wildlife, it’s one of my new favorite national parks and on my early May weekend visit, found it was easy to get away from it all.

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All photos in this post taken by Lumix Superzoom fz80 camera.

Best Time to Visit Theodore Roosevelt National Park

The best time to visit Theodore Roosevelt National Park is between late Spring and early Fall.  Look at these advantages of visiting Theodore Roosevelt National Park:

• Winter isn’t the best time.  Roads, if open, can be icy and it can be very cold and windy.
• Spring is a great time to visit.  Temperatures are a little cooler.  There’s lots of space in the campgrounds, although the water isn’t turned on but that means you can camp for half price!  Wildlife abounds and if you’re lucky you can see the Grouse mating dance (see later in this post).  Kids aren’t out of school so it’s especially a quiet time to visit.
• Summer is also good.  It may be very, very hot (exceeding 100 degrees), but temperatures may be reasonable too.  If you want to take advantage of all the things on offer around the Roosevelt National Park, summer is the time to visit.  The Park ranger programs are in full swing and when visiting the South Unit, you can attend the spectacular Medora Musical.
• Fall is similar to Spring, smaller crowds and cooler temperatures. 

Theodore Roosevelt National Park Wildlife

The park is split in two parts – the South Unit and the less visited North Unit.  It’s worth visiting both units.  For me, the wildlife was really a highlight, so now I present the Animals of Theodore Roosevelt National Park – Where to See Theodore Roosevelt National Park Wildlife: 

Western Meadowlark

This colorful songbird can be found all over the western USA.  The park is a great place to spot them.  Not only pretty, these birds have an incredible song. 

Wild Turkey

This is another bird common in the western US.  These birds can be seen roaming both the North and South Units. 

Sharp Tailed Grouse

My favorite of the birds in Theodore National Park was the Sharp Tailed Grouse, a bird that was new to me.  I saw a few of these in the day, but the best show was at sunrise.  Spring is the mating season, and they hang out in a mating space, called a “Grouse Lek”.  The males show of their fluffy tails and purple pouches on their necks, while they run around with their feet moving like jackhammers and wings outspread.  I’ve never seen anything like this and it was incredible.  Watch this video I took of the male grouse beating his little feet. 

Wild Horses

It’s possible to spot the famous Theodore Roosevelt National Park wild horses, or feral horses, but only in the South Unit.

Mule Deer

There are loads of Mule Deer from the Dakotas to Montana.  You need to be careful while driving, especially at dusk.  Driving in Theodore National Park is no exception.  These deer can be found in both units. 

Pronghorn Deer

I can imagine this park was the inspiration to “where the deer and the antelope play…”.  Pronghorns, aka American Antelope are the most graceful animals.  One of my favorite.  They can be seen throughout the park and all over Montana, Wyoming, and the Dakotas. 

Bison – aka Buffalo

Bison, often called Buffalo are abundant in the park.  It’s amazing there used to be 60 million of these in the North American plains.  It’s great we have parks like Theodore Roosevelt National Park and Yellowstone where Bison can roam.  Bison can be seen in both units, but I saw larger herds in the north. 

Bighorn Sheep

Consider yourself lucky if you get to see the Bighorn Sheep in Theodore Roosevelt National Park.  They live in the cliffs of the north unit and sometimes hang out on the ridge near the park road.  Most of the folks I met hadn’t seen them, but I saw two groups of them late one afternoon. 

Coyote

The Coyotes and Foxes like to hide, but I saw this guy from a far distance (think a football field away) early one morning.   This picture would make an maddening puzzle, wouldn’t it?

Prairie Dogs!

Prairie Dogs are fun animals.  Kids and adults alike will love watching their antics.  These animals are not dogs, but actually rodents.  There are several Prairie Dog towns in each unit, but the ones in the north unit require hiking.  There are a couple towns next to the main road in the south unit.  The towns are indicated on the maps provided at entry to the park. 

Burrowing Owls – aka False Prairie Dogs

OK, these owls are not actually called False Prairie Dogs, but that’s my name for them, as that’s the trick to seeing them.  The Owls live in holes near the Prairie Dogs, and the owls are the same height as an upright prairie dog.   And they’re as cute as a button.  Every time I stopped at a Prairie Dog town, I kept my eyes open to see if Burrowing Owls were nearby.

Where To Stay –

Theodore Roosevelt National Park Camping

Both the north and south units have campgrounds.  I prefer the less hectic campground in the north unit.   Both are $14 in season and $7 if you visit out of season (when the water is off and there is only pit toilet).

Camping Near Theodore National Park

Alternatively to staying in the park, the CCC campground is just south of the entrance to the north unit and costs only $6 per night.  There are also free places to camp in the National Grasslands between the two units but you will need to be self sufficient (no toilets).

Theodore Roosevelt National Park Lodging:

Medora is the natural choice, located next to the South Unit entrance.  There are only a couple hotels and they can be pricey in season (Check Rates and Availability).  If looking for a wider range of hotels, Dickinson is less than 15-mile detour on the road from the South to North Unit (Check Rates and Availability in Dickinson).  There are no hotels near the North Unit, unless you go much further north.  Williston is a good choice (Check Rates and Availability in Williston).

Also see:  What to do with one day in Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

Check out one of my other favorite sites to view wildlife in North America – Grizzly Bear viewing in British Columbia.

Have you seen another animals and wildlife in Theodore National Park?  What’s your favorite National Park for wildlife?  Leave your comments below.

Make sure you check out the other fun things to do in North Dakota!

Not only does TRNP have fauna, but it has great flora too!  Wildflowers abound if you visit at the right time, but it was early in the season (May) so the best flowers were the lovely Prairie Crocus.  Check this one out:

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