Array of Grey - National Parks Gallery
Feral Horse (Equus caballus): once domesticated, these horses have been living in the wild since the late 1800's. Inadvertently fencing them in when TRNP became established, the Park Service maintains the horse... More
Historic Photo of the Maltese Cross Cabin
This historic photo of the Maltese Cross Ranch shows the cabin in its original location and configuration.
Roosevelt age 7 - National Parks Gallery
Public domain vintage artistic portrait photograph, 19th century, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description.
Historic Maltese Cross Cabin - Public Domain image, National Parks Gal...
Sylvane Ferris and S.N. Lebo pose in front of the Maltese Cross Cabin. Lebo was a contemporary rancher with Theodore Roosevelt in the 1880s. Sylvane Ferris, along with Bill Merrifield, built the Maltese Cross C... More
Bighorn sheep, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, 2015.
Bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) originally crossed into North America over the Bering land bridge from Siberia. The population peaked in the millions and bighorn sheep entered into the mythology of Native Ameri... More
Theodore Roosevelt, 1904 - National Parks Gallery
Memories of hunting and ranching in the badlands of Dakota Territory greatly influenced President Theodore Roosevelt to designate more than 230 million acres of public lands. His legacy of conservation is memor... More
National parks: DSC_0160 - public domain image
Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Prairie Rose Bush - National Parks Gallery
The prairie rose is the state flower of North Dakota; it blooms in the early summer.
Theodore Roosevelt national park - Cedar Waxwing
Cedar waxwings are migratory birds. They visit the park in winter and early spring.
Theodore Roosevelt in the Badlands
Roosevelt kept many horses around his ranch. His favorite was named Manitou.
Theodore Roosevelt national park - Rolling Buttes
In early spring, before the prairie grasses begin their green regrowth, the evergreen Juniper trees are the only greenery present in the rolling tan of badlands' butte formations.
Splash of Yellow - National Parks Gallery
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata): common migrating bird in late September into October; average of 5.6 inches in length; feed on berries and insects.
DSC_0944 armored mud balls - Public Domain image, National Parks Galle...
Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Bullsnake in Tree - National Parks Gallery
Snakes are excellent climbers. This bullsnake was probably in the tree looking for bird eggs to eat.
National parks: best_DSC7161 - public domain image
Public domain photograph of the Moon, telescope photography, astronomy, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
fisheye wind canyon - National Parks Gallery
Public domain photograph - night sky, astronomy, universe, space, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Theodore Roosevelt national park - Winter Wonderland
One of the best times of year to visit TRNP is in the winter; the buttes become accentuated with a blanket of snow covering them; the animals still abound, the are not deterred by the cold temperatures; the Lit... More
Layer Upon Layer - National Parks Gallery
Because it does not have as much vegetation covering the buttes, the North Unit is a perfect place to really see the layer upon layer of sediments that make-up of the badlands.
National parks: DSC_0363 - public domain image
Public domain photograph of National Park, nature, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Endless Paths to Follow - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
Adventure out into the endless wilderness of the North Unit of TRNP along one of the many hiking paths it has to offer. This particular trail happens to be the Buckhorn Trail; an 11.4 mile loop through the lush... More
National parks: DakotaNightsAstroPic - public domain image
Public domain photograph - night sky, astronomy, universe, space, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
National parks: Sunburst - public domain image
Scarlet Globemallow (Sphaeralcea coccinea): blooms in the months of June and July, between 4-8 inches in height, and used to sooth inflammations, sores, and wounds as well as protect against scalding water.
Theodore Roosevelt national park - Lemon Drops
Golden Pea (Thermopsis rhombifolia): blooms in the months of late April and May, between 6-15 inches in height, and has uses in reducing swelling (smoke derived from burning dried flowers) - NOTE: seeds thought... More
Rangers After Dark - National Parks Gallery
Park Rangers enjoy the park after dark as well! Look for any astronomy programs that are going on in a dark skies park near you and experience the wonder of seeing the Milky Way from horizon to horizon.
Theodore Roosevelt national park - Leafy Cottonwoods
Take a moment to stroll down among the big, green, leafy cottonwood trees. During the summer, their boughs provide much needed shade. Ponder as you stroll that this cottonwood grove is one of the last remaining... More
Theodore Roosevelt national park - Armor Yourself!
Imagine that you fell from an embankment into a stream bed with just enough water to tumble you slowly along its course. Slowly you accumulate particles, small at first, then larger chunks as your body mass inc... More
A Balancing Act - National Parks Gallery
A picture that captures many geologic features unique to the Badlands; the main focus of the picture is of a hoodoo where the cap rock is a petrified tree stump; the background butte clearly depicts the etching... More
Petrified Wood Hoodoo - National Parks Gallery
The large pillar shown here is called a hoodoo. They form when a hard caprock - in this case petrified wood - protects the softer layers underneath from erosion.
Prepare to be Petrified! - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
Theodore Roosevelt National Park is little known for it's petrified trees, but it does contain the nation's third largest concentration! Come explore the Petrified Forest Trail that takes you to a valley full o... More
Bull in chute - National Parks Gallery
Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Theodore Roosevelt national park - Two Sages
This area is covered with a shrub called sage. We can see the two most common types: big sagebrush and silver sage.
National parks: DSC_0571 - public domain image
Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Theodore Roosevelt national park - Family Time
Black-tailed Prairie Dog (Cynomys ludovicianus): prairie dog "towns" consists of many different families of prairie dogs - a unit of family holes grouped together on the prairie.
Bison in pen - National Parks Gallery
Public domain image of cattle, livestock, farm animals, agriculture, free to use, no copyright restrictions - Picryl description
Theodore Roosevelt national park - Prairie Grasslands
Prairie grasslands are the primary habitat of the park. This photo shows a prairie dog town.
Silver Sage Close-up - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
The silvery-green color of its leaves gives silver sage its name.
Theodore Roosevelt national park - Little Ballerinas
Purple Coneflower (Echinacea angustifolia): blooms in the months of late June and July, between 1-2 feet in height, and has uses as a pain killer.
National parks: Cannonball! - public domain image
In the manner that an oyster lays thin layers around an irritant grain of sand (thereby forming a pearl), calcite builds up around a sand and silt grains (thereby forming a cannonball shaped rock formation).
National parks: DSC_0193 - public domain image
Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Take a Hike! - National Parks Gallery
Step out and breathe the fresh air on one of the 100+ miles of hiking trails that TRNP has to offer! Who know what you will come across; from bison to breathtaking views, hiking is a great way to experience you... More
Theodore Roosevelt national park - Orange Sunburst
Scarlet Globemallow (Sphaeralcea coccinea): blooms in the months of June and July, between 4-8 inches in height, and had uses in soothing inflammations, sores, and wounds.
Theodore Roosevelt national park - Barren Buttes
The North Unit of TRNP provides stunning views of contrasting barren buttes of Bentonite Clay and the lush green river valley bottom. The greater elevation found in the North Unit compared to that of the South ... More
National parks: _DSC7110 - public domain image
Public domain photograph - night sky, astronomy, universe, space, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Petrified Wood Hoodoo 1 - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
Public domain photograph of National Park, nature, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Big Sagebrush Leaves - National Parks Gallery
Big sagebrush is easy to identify because of the three lobes on the end of its leaves
Theodore Roosevelt national park - Lily Like
Mariposa Lily (Calochortus nuttallii): blooms in the months of June into July, between 8-10 inches in height, and has uses as winter stores (the bulb, sweet-tasting, would be gathered and dried).
Needle and Thread - National Parks Gallery
The seed of this grass has a sharp point, like a needle, attached to a thin strand, like a thread.
A Striking Prairie Sunset - Public Domain image, National Parks Galler...
Whether in the North Unit, South Unit, and/or Elkhorn Unit of TRNP, sunsets are absolutely stunning in the Badlands.
Theodore Roosevelt national park - Backcountry Adventures
Take time to venture off the beaten path and explore the backcountry of TRNP. The North Unit is a perfect place to do so, where the entirety of the unit is devoted to Wilderness. However, because of this, make ... More
National parks: _DSC7126 - public domain image
Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Yellow Top Hat - National Parks Gallery
Plains Prickly Pear (Opuntia polyacantha): blooms in the months of June and July, between 2-4 inches in height, and has uses in making jellies and jams and/or emergency food and water source.
Theodore Roosevelt national park - Lily white
Gumbo Lily (Oenothera caespitosa): blooms in the months of late May and June, between 4-6 inches in height, and has uses in reducing inflammation of swelling, sores, and burns.
Theodore Roosevelt national park - Roosevelt Laughing
Roosevelt had a great sense of humor, and enjoyed life to the fullest.
Theodore Roosevelt national park - Expansive Views
Plateaus and tops of buttes provide expansive views of the buttes and river valley floor where one can really take in the vastness of the badlands. The North Unit, having a higher elevation than the South Unit ... More
Bison entering truck - National Parks Gallery
Public domain image of cattle, livestock, farm animals, agriculture, free to use, no copyright restrictions - Picryl description
Landscape of the Badlands - Public Domain image, National Parks Galler...
Traveling through this area was very difficult - one of the reasons the Badlands gets its name.
Short-horned Lizard - National Parks Gallery
One of the few lizards found in the park is the short-horned. If threatened they can squirt blood from their eyes - gross!
Theodore Roosevelt national park - Stunning Sunsets
Whether in the North Unit, South Unit, and/or Elkhorn Unit of TRNP, sun sets and sun rises are an absolute must see for their stunning beaty.
Prairie Dog on Alert - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
Prairie dogs spend lots of time looking out for dangers! They build mounds near their burrow entrances and stand on their hind legs for a better view.
Maah Daah Hey - National Parks Gallery
Take a trip on a portion of the Maah Daah Hey trail. The ten miles within the South Unit TRNP will give you a taste of the greater 150 mile long trail through the entirety of the badlands.
Theodore Roosevelt national park - Lichen It!
When wandering around the Badlands, take a closer look at the various rock formations. If you look closely, you will usually see that the white or green color that seemed to be just rock coloration is indeed sm... More
Theodore Roosevelt national park - Mountain Bluebirds
Male birds have bright feathers to attract the females. The bright colors can also distract predators away from the nest.
Needle and Thread Close-up - Public Domain image, National Parks Galle...
Needle and thread is a bunch grass, with deep roots that help hold the soil together.
Roosevelt Delivering Speech - National Parks Gallery
Theodore Roosevelt was a great speaker. People would gather from all over when they heard he was coming through an area.
Sandy Buttes and Greenery - Public Domain image, National Parks Galler...
When winter has left and the grass is turning green, the Elkhorn Ranch house would have stood in the tree stand to the right of the picture. Hugged by the leafing greenery, Roosevelt would have been seen sittin... More
National parks: Tadpoles - public domain image
Tadpoles are baby frogs! They go through an incomplete metamorphosis as they transform from a fish-like creature into their amphibian form.
Prairie Dog Kiss - National Parks Gallery
Prairie dogs live in close family groups. They often greet family members by touching noses or mouths - like a kiss!
Pretty in Pink - Flowers from National Park Gallery
Prairie Wild Rose (Rosa arkansana): blooms in the months of June and July, less than 2 feet in height, and has uses for medicinal and edible purposes (the entire shrub; roots, stems, bark, and fruit).
Theodore Roosevelt national park - Red Rock
Similar to that of a kiln baking ceramics, when a coal vein ignites (due to lightening strikes, forest fires, etc.), the heat will bake whatever rock sediment is above. Whether is be a sandstone, mudstone, and/... More
Floodplain and Plateau - National Parks Gallery
The flat area around a river is called the floodplain. The land rises in the background to a higher flat area called a plateau.
Theodore Roosevelt national park - Purple Haze
Wild Bergamont (Monarda fitulosa): blooms in the months of July into August, between 1-3 feet in height, and has uses as a seasoning, tea, perfume, and medicine.
Theodore Roosevelt national park - Bee Friendly
Pincushion Cactus (Coryphantha vivipara): blooms in the months of late May into July, less than 3 inches in height, and has uses in treating burns and inflammation.
Theodore Roosevelt national park - Lunar Cycles
As the moon wanes and waxes, some of the best times to go into TRNP at night when the moon reaches either end of the spectrum in its cycle (full and/or new). During the full moon, one can easily go hiking by mo... More
Theodore Roosevelt national park - Who's There?
Black-tailed Prairie Dog (Cynomys ludovicianus): average of 11-4 inches in length and 1-3 pound in weight; primarily feed on plants; habitat consists of open plains where they will colonize in group to create a "town."
Big Bend National Park - Early Primate
"Plesiadapis gidleyi" is an early primate that lived during the Paleocene. Fossils of "Plesiadapis" have been found at Big Bend National Park, Texas, and Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota.
Theodore Roosevelt national park - Clinker Buttes
The bright red-orange color of clinker makes a stunning contrast in the Badlands landscape.
Theodore Roosevelt national park - Wintry River
Take a step down to the brink of the Little Missouri. Imagine being Theodore Roosevelt and having to chase after thieves that stole your boat just a few miles south of your home ranch, the Elkhorn Ranch. It was... More
Theodore Roosevelt national park - Little Muddy
Get up close and personal with the Little Missouri River; discover why it is endearingly called "Little Muddy." Whether paddling or crossing, keep in mind that the Little Missouri can drastically vary in height... More
The Slumping Effect - National Parks Gallery
Due to the nature of the geology, soft sedimentary rock, of the Badlands, occurrences such as "slumping" is rather common. This is where entire sections of the rock layers will shift and "slump" downward creati... More
Who's a Hoodoo? - National Parks Gallery
Commonly found in sedimentary rock formations, such as the badlands, hoodoos are created when softer layers of rock erode at a faster rate than a layer higher up in a formation. Eventually, through wind and rai... More
Path Less Traveled By - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
Summer season is by far when TRNP gets most of its visitation. However, winter months are a wonderful time to come to the park. Even though the loop road may not be open, the ten miles that are give one access ... More
Bison herded by helicopter - Public Domain image, National Parks Galle...
Public domain image of cattle, livestock, farm animals, agriculture, free to use, no copyright restrictions - Picryl description
National parks: _DSC4452 - public domain image
Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
07-9-13_Richard - National Parks Gallery
Picryl description: Public domain image of a world heritage landmark, natural or regular park, free to use, no copyright restrictions.
Big Sagebrush Leaves - National Parks Gallery
Big sagebrush can be identified by the three lobes on the end of its leaves.
Theodore Roosevelt national park - Prairie Stroll
Bison (Bison bison): average of 60-73 inches in height and 700-2,205 pounds in weight; primarily feed on grasses and sedges; habitat consists of a range from prairie to river valleys.
Prairie Dog on Alert - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
Prairie dogs are always looking for threats. They build large mounds near their burrow entrances and stand on top of them for a better view.
Blue Grama Grass - National Parks Gallery
Blue grama is an important native grass. The top looks like a person's eyebrow!
Theodore Roosevelt national park - Wind Canyon
One of the most beloved trails in the South Unit, Wind Canyon Trail, never disappoints in its views of the Little Missouri winding it's way through the forested valley of the Badlands. It also happens to be one... More
Bison with Calf - National Parks Gallery
Baby bison - called calves - are a distinct orange color when born. A calf will stay with its mother for up to two years.
Needle and Thread - National Parks Gallery
The seed of this grass has a sharp point with a long thin part attached to it - like a needle with a thread attached!
Prairie Rose with Bee - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
Like butterflies, bees help pollinate plants so they produce seeds. Public domain photograph of a wildflower close up, nature, flowers, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
National parks: DSC_0042 - public domain image
Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Fresh-water Reptile - National Parks Gallery
"Champsosaurus gigas" is a crocodile like reptile that lived during the Paleocene. Fossils of "Champsosaurus" have been found at Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota.
The Erosion Effect - National Parks Gallery
The Badlands are shaped by wind and rain and the rocks tell that story very clearly. This is a close up view of the smaller scale erosion to be seen in the stones around the park; little pockets. Be careful, th... More
Prairie Dog Kiss - National Parks Gallery
Prairie dogs live in close family groups. They greet family members by touching noses or mouths, kind of like a kiss!
Theodore Roosevelt national park - Little Mo
Take the chance to walk or camp alongside the Little Missouri. Lovingly called "Little Mo" or "Little Muddy," the Little Missouri can catch you off-guard at first site due to its northern flowing, muddy waters.
Theodore Roosevelt national park - Berry Time
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum): common throughout the year; average of 7.5 inches in length; feed on berries and insects.
Boy with Telescope - National Parks Gallery
The park is an excellent place to experience the night sky. Light pollution from nearby development threatens the natural darkness of the park.
The Grand View - National Parks Gallery
Hike up the buttes to the left of the parking area of the Elkhorn Ranch Unit and take in the grand view encompassing the grandeur that Roosevelt found at his favorite ranching spot. One can really feel the tran... More