Theodore Roosevelt National Park

04/22/2026

🚩Don’t be a Red Flag. Respect burning restrictions.

Due to high winds and low humidity, the National Weather Service has issued Red Flag Warnings for the western half of North Dakota. A Red Flag Warning means the predicted weather conditions will combine to create extreme fire risk. In these conditions, wildfires can spread quickly and easily grow out of control.

While the Red Flag Warning is in effect:

Check burning restrictions. A lot of counties will have restrictions in place: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/c5da309af17b4c48a3b953675a77f654

When Very High or Extreme fire danger, or when Red Flag Warnings exist, open wood and charcoal fires are prohibited.

Be extra cautious with outdoor activities that could produce heat or a spark.

To learn more: https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=46.9116&lon=-103.5214

Photo by: NOAA/National Weather Service

Critical fire weather conditions today into this evening over most of western and parts of southern North Dakota. Any fires that ignite will spread rapidly and be difficult to control.

04/15/2026

Theodore Roosevelt National Park has ignited a prescribed burn in the South Unit of the park. The plan is to burn around 160 acres today.

The burn will take place west of the East River Road near the Cottonwood campground.

A section of the Maah Day Hey Trail in the park that goes through the burn unit will be closed to the public during the burn.

Smoke will be present near East River Road, Cottonwood Campground, Peaceful Valley Ranch will be impacted with smoke during the burns.

Weather conditions will be monitored closely to ensure prescribed fire conditions align with management objectives for the burn.

To learn more visit: https://www.nps.gov/thro/learn/news/prescribed-burns-planned-at-theodore-roosevelt-national-park.htm

Photo by: NPS

Photo Description: A firefighter wearing green pants, yellow shirt, hard hat, carries a red drip torch for the test fire.

04/11/2026

All firing operations have been completed. Firefighters will remain on scene and will continue to patrol and mop up this afternoon as well as into tomorrow.

The park is planing on reopening the closed section of loop road and impacted trails by mid morning.

Minor smoke may be visible into tonight and potentially for the next few days.

Photo by NPS

Photo Description: Patches of black ground and vegetation are in the foreground. Behind it is badlands with an expansive blue sky with white clouds. Small pockets of smoke is visible.

04/11/2026

Theodore Roosevelt National Park has ignited a prescribed burn in the South Unit of the park. The plan is to burn around 1590 acres today.

Rim, Upper Paddock and Talkington Trails are closed to the public during the burns.

In addition, the Scenic Loop will be closed to the public between the intersection of the Scenic Loop Road with East River Road and the Old East Entrance Station while the burns are conducted.

Slow down. Please use caution when driving on National Park roads or in the vicinity. NPS Law Enforcement will be coordinating traffic control along East River Road. Cottonwood campground and Peaceful Valley ranch will still be accessible to the public.

Smoke will be present near East River Road, Cottonwood Campground, Peaceful Valley Ranch, and the portion of the Scenic Loop located between the burn units will be impacted with smoke during the burns.

Weather conditions will be monitored closely to ensure prescribed fire conditions align with management objectives for the burn.

To learn more visit: https://www.nps.gov/thro/learn/news/prescribed-burns-planned-at-theodore-roosevelt-national-park.htm

Photo by: NPS

Photo Description: Three firefighters wearing green pants, yellow shirts, hard hats, carry red drip torches for the test fire.

04/10/2026

Theodore Roosevelt National Park has ignited a prescribed burn in the southeast corner of the South Unit of the park. The plan is to burn around 480 acres today.

Rim, Upper Paddock and Talkington Trails are closed to the public during the burns.
During this time, significant smoke may be present in the vicinity of the burn area. Please use caution when driving along Interstate 94, traveling on National Park roads or in the vicinity.

Smoke may also be visible in the days following ignition and firefighters will remain on scene monitoring the burn for as long as needed.
Weather conditions will be monitored closely to ensure prescribed fire conditions align with management objectives for the burn.

To learn more visit: https://www.nps.gov/thro/learn/news/prescribed-burns-planned-at-theodore-roosevelt-national-park.htm

Photo by: NPS

Photo Description: three firefighters wearing yellow shirts, green pants and hard hats put fire on the ground with drip torches. Fire engines are in the distance.

03/24/2026

Beginning May 1, 2026, Theodore Roosevelt National Park will transition to a fully cashless fee system. Entrance fees and other in-person sales will be processed using mobile payments, credit cards, or debit cards at park sales outlets. The transition to electronic payment is safer, reduces transaction times, and improves accountability.
Visitors who are only able to pay with cash may purchase a park pass from one of two local third-party vendors in the surrounding communities.
Also starting May 1, 2026, the park will require reservations for all campsites at Cottonwood Campground, Juniper Campground and Roundup Group Horse Camp. Reservations must be made through Recreation.gov, via the Recreation.gov mobile app, or by calling 877-444-6777. Cash and check payments will no longer be accepted for campsites at these campgrounds. Same day reservations will be available and may be made up to six months in advance for individual campsites through Recreation.gov.
Currently, cash sales account for less than 10% of in-person transactions in the park. During peak season, rangers spend up to eight and a half hours per day documenting, reporting, and transferring cash receipts. Transitioning to a cashless system will reduce the time staff spend managing cash, allowing them to focus more on visitor services, public engagement, and fee collection. The change will also help increase the amount of fee revenue available to support critical projects and enhance the visitor experience.
Entrance fees are a vital source of funding for national parks and are used to improve facilities and services. At Theodore Roosevelt National Park, entrance fee revenue has supported improvements such as campground comfort stations, trail rehabilitation projects, road maintenance and safety upgrades, and water and wastewater system improvements to enhance visitor services and preserve park infrastructure.
More information about visiting the park can be found at www.nps.gov/thro.

03/23/2026

Theodore Roosevelt fire crews are planning to conduct prescribed burning operations in the South and North Unit, March 30 through the middle of June.

Prescribed fires help clear invasive vegetation and promote native prairie restoration. Burns can help prevent the spread of currently burning coal seam fires, reduce fuels, and create a fuel break that helps slow or stop a fire.

Prescribed fires are carefully conducted under identified and approved prescription conditions. Factors such as humidity, fuel moisture, wind speed and direction, and short and long-range weather patterns are all considered in establishing the acceptable conditions for conducting a prescribed fire. If the prescribed set of conditions cannot be met on a specific day, the planned fire is postponed.

If conditions allow, 7 prescribed burns are planned - two in the North Unit (4,258 acres) and five in the South Unit (2,228 acres), totaling 6,486 acres.

As prescribed fire operations are implemented, some visitor impacts are anticipated. Temporary closures are expected to ensure visitor and firefighter safety during operations. The public will be advised of specific area closures by web alerts and posting signs in appropriate areas. Visitors are encouraged to check the website daily to ensure roads, trails and access areas are open to the public.

For more information about Theodore Roosevelt National Park visit www.nps.gov/thro

03/02/2026

We’re Hiring!

Do you love connecting people to nature and bringing stories to life? We’re looking for passionate Park Rangers (Interpretation) to join our team in both Medora and Watford City, ND.

As an Interpretation Ranger, you’ll engage visitors through guided hikes, educational programs, and interactive experiences that inspire curiosity and a deeper appreciation for our natural and cultural resources.

If you’re an enthusiastic communicator who enjoys working outdoors and making a difference, we’d love to hear from you!

Apply today and help us turn every visit into a meaningful experience.

Applications close March 8 at 11:59 PM EST or once 200 applications have been received, whichever comes first. Be sure to pick Theodore Roosevelt National Park as your choice.

https://www.usajobs.gov/job/859379400

NPS Photo / Cameron

02/04/2026

Frequently Asked Questions:

How big is a bison?
The bison is the largest land mammal in North America. Males (bulls) weigh up to 2,000 pounds (900 kg), females (cows) weigh about 1,000 pounds (500 kg).

How fast can a bison run?
Faster than you. A bison is agile and quick and can run up to 35 miles per hour (55 kph). A bison can also pivot quickly, an advantage when fighting predators that aim for hindquarters.

NPS Photo / Martin

02/03/2026

Love the outdoors? Want to meet people from around the world?

Theodore Roosevelt National Park is looking for friendly, enthusiastic campground hosts for the Cottonwood and Juniper Campgrounds!

As a campground host, you’ll be the face of the park—welcoming visitors, answering questions, helping campers get oriented, and keeping track of reserved sites. It’s a great way to explore a new area, connect with people, and spend your summer surrounded by stunning North Dakota landscapes.

Juniper Campground (North Unit)
5 miles from Highway 85 | Nearest town: Watford City, ND
• 50 tent & RV sites
• Group site by reservation on recreation.gov
• Remaining sites are first-come, first-served

Cottonwood Campground (South Unit)
Near Medora, ND
• 72 tent & RV sites
• Half reservable on recreation.gov
• Half first-come, first-served

Bonus for both campgrounds: Bison are frequent campground visitors!

Volunteer Dates:
• Full summer: May 13 – September 30, 2024
• Or a minimum commitment of 4 weeks
Host Perks:
• Power, water, and sewer hookups provided
• Campground water typically turns on mid-May (weather dependent)
Ready for an unforgettable summer adventure?

Apply here https://home.nps.gov/thro/getinvolved/volunteer.htm
NPS Photo / Calvin