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Badlands of North Dakota in Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Badlands of North Dakota is located in Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The park was established in 1978, and is a United States National Park comprising three geographically separated areas of badlands in western North Dakota. The park was named for U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt, who owned and worked for a few years on a ranch now preserved in the park. The park covers 110 square miles (285 km²) of land in three sections: the North Unit, the South Unit, and the Elkhorn Ranch.

Both units of the natilnal park have scenic drives, dozens of miles of foot and horse trails and allow back country hiking and camping. There are three automobile campgrounds, two in the South Unit. Wild animals, such as Bison are usually visible from the scenic drives, often grazing by the roadside.

Badlands offer Spectacular Seasonal Variations in Scenery

The park displays spectacular seasonal variations in scenery. Sprouting plants and moisture in the spring accentuates stria of green, blue, red and white. Red "clinker" (a naturally baked rock locally known as "scoria") dominates in the summer and golden brown grasslands in the fall. Winter is almost devoid of color and the landscape is often covered with a thin layer of snow.

Hiking in the Badlands

Theodore Roosevelt National Park is well suited to back country hikers and permits can be obtained at either park office. It is possible to hike for days without seeing or hearing another human or evidence of development. 100+ miles of trail make it a fine hiking park. The park units are mostly surrounded by Forest Service grasslands. Sagebrush grows throughout most of the Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The area has very dark skies with excellent star gazing and northern lights displays. However, the conditions are harsh, with little or no natural water, and summer temperatures can stay above 95°F (35°C) and winter temperatures below -20°F (-30°C) for extended periods. The bison can be very dangerous, especially during springtime calving. They have been known to destroy automobiles when drivers get too close.

Wild Animals in the Badlands

In the photo you see some wild horses. In the Badlands a large variety of wild animals can be spotted, including; buffalo (bison), elk, pronghorn, prairie dogs, coyotes, wild horses, Bighorn sheep, wild turkey, rattlesnakes, and blacksnakes. Bison and Bighorn sheep were reintroduced into the South unit in 1956, some 75 years after they had been extirpated.