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Author Topic: Theodore Roosevelt National Park  (Read 5232 times)

Les Sparks

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Theodore Roosevelt National Park
« on: October 22, 2011, 01:35:42 pm »

We're planning a trip west next year (August/September) and hope to visit Theodore Roosevelt National Park and are looking for advise about the area photo sites, hikes, etc.
Thanks.
Les
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eleanorbrown

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Re: Theodore Roosevelt National Park
« Reply #1 on: October 22, 2011, 02:02:01 pm »

Les, this is one of my favorite areas....with the right light it is beautiful!  My husband and I covered all the roads in the park (tho we couldn't go on hikes because we had our dog with us.)  I would love to go back and do some hikes...we were there in mid september which is a wonderful time to be there...tourists are gone for the season.  Be sure and drive the dirt road to Roosevelt's old ranch site by the river...also really lovely.  In the park lots of wild horses roaming, bison, etc etc.  In the evening there were so many small bunnies on the park road that we had to go about 5 miles per hour so as not to crush any!  Also lots of ground hogs on the roads.  We saw almost no one else there when we were there.  This part of North Dakota is really a special place to visit!  We stayed in Medora at the AmericInn.   Eleanor
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Les Sparks

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Re: Theodore Roosevelt National Park
« Reply #2 on: October 22, 2011, 04:27:33 pm »

Eleanor:
Thanks. We're looking forward to the trip. Had planned to visit in 2008 but car problems shortened our trip so we didn't make it.
Les
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billmac

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Re: Theodore Roosevelt National Park
« Reply #3 on: October 24, 2011, 09:07:38 pm »

Les,

This is also one of my favorite parks, but I am a horse lover; I go to photograph the wild horses. (Technically they tell me they are "feral" horses, but they are wild as far as I'm concerned.) The park is small, with its own charm. The main road in the park is a large loop that takes some time to cover, but I drive slowly looking mainly for the horses, which can be found anywhere, but not always. If horses are your thing, be aware that they are in groups of mares and stallions. The mare herds are more tolerant, but there is a lead mare that runs the show. Watch her for signs of agitation. The stallion herds are harder to find, less tolerant of humans and unpredictable. There is also an alpha male that runs that show. I give the stallions plenty of room. As with most nature, early morning and late evening are best for the animals.

I know nothing about hiking, but check out the park site. I will say that I have hiked in a few times after having spotted a horse herd...more like stalking!

Be sure to visit the Chateau de Mores. I wasn't keen on visiting the site, but found it fascinating.

I also favor the Americinn, and you have to try the Cowboy Cafe and TR's Tavern in the Rough Rider Hotel.

I have also been surprised by the Fall beauty of the North Dakota plains, east of the Badlands.

Bill McClure
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eleanorbrown

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Re: Theodore Roosevelt National Park
« Reply #4 on: October 25, 2011, 10:16:46 am »

Bill I was also taken with the grassland plains to the east....they were stunning.  We were there the last few days in September a few years ago and all the grasses were golden.  Think we will return next September. Eleanor
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Les Sparks

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Re: Theodore Roosevelt National Park
« Reply #5 on: October 26, 2011, 11:01:13 am »

Bill,
Thanks. Hadn't thought about the horses. We always enjoy the wild horses on the North Carolina coast every year so will be very interested in finding the horses in ND.

You guys are killing our time table. Sounds like we'll need to add more time than we originally budgeted for the trip. The whole trip takes us from NC to Theodore Roosevelt, Banff, Waterton, Glacier, SD Badlands, then back to NC.
Thanks again.
Les
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prairiewing

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Re: Theodore Roosevelt National Park
« Reply #6 on: November 02, 2011, 04:47:08 pm »

Lodging can be hard to come by in Medora.  If you're going to stay in a motel (AmericInn is nice) you might want to book it way ahead of time.  The whole western part of the state is in the midst of a  colossal oil boom.  It won't hinder your trip to TR other than that.  Normally the north unit is worth a trip but because of road problems (half of it has been closed this year) I'd stay in the south unit (Medora).  The drive to the ranch site is nice if you have the time.

Pat Gerlach
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Les Sparks

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Re: Theodore Roosevelt National Park
« Reply #7 on: November 03, 2011, 12:10:07 pm »

Thanks Pat.
We've run into the motel problem already very high prices and limited or no availability even in late August 2012.
We're looking forward to the trip.
Les
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