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
Roosevelt age 26 - National Parks Gallery
This portrait was taken around the time that Theodore Roosevelt was moving between Dakota and New York
National parks: DSC_0023 - 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 - Juniper Trees
Juniper trees sometimes grow by themselves, but more often are found in dense strands or forests, like in the background of this picture.
Like a Painting - National Parks Gallery
This picture perfectly captures lighting can really change the badlands. Sun rays can really pick out the colors in the prairie grasses and wildflowers as well as the layers of sediment in the buttes. Splashes ... More
National parks: _DSC4873 - 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 - Popping Colors
Springtime is one of the most colorful seasons to visit the badlands. All of the flowers are in bloom and the grasses are vibrant green. That, combined with gorgeous skies, the barren buttes really pop their colors.
Theodore Roosevelt national park - Geologic Adventure
Take a moment to hike the short Nature Trail (1 mile loop) from the scenic overlook at Painted Canyon Visitor Center in the South Unit of TRNP. By doing so, one is able to get up close and personal with the geo... More
Buttes and Hills - National Parks Gallery
Buttes and hills in the Badlands are often covered with juniper trees on their north-facing sides. The other sides are dryer and do not support much plant life.
Blowing in the Wind - Public domain botanical illustration
Torch Flower/Prairie Smoke (Geum triflorum): blooms in the months of May and June, between 8-16 inches in height, and the roots have uses ranging from refreshing tea to salves.
Theodore Roosevelt national park - Aurora Borealis
A show not to miss; make sure to keep an eye on space weather and if there is a chance of the Northern Lights, head into the park for a spectacular display of colors!
Butterfly on Wildflower - National Parks Gallery
Butterflies drink nectar from flowers. The pollen from the flower sticks to the butterfly and moves around to other flowers, allowing the plant's seed to form.
Theodore Roosevelt national park - Adventure On
Take the opportunity to adventure out into the badlands and get up close and personal with the prairie and geology that make up the badlands. The North Unit to TRNP is a perfect place to do this, for it is all ... More
Theodore Roosevelt national park - Wild Turkey
Wild turkeys are some of the largest birds found in the park.
National parks: Coyote - public domain image
Coyotes are crafty hunters. One of their favorite foods is prairie dog.
Northern Leopard Frog - National Parks Gallery
The northern leopard frog is one of the few amphibians found in the park. They start their life as tadpoles before metamorphosing into frogs.
Childhood Sketch by Roosevelt - Public domain scenic drawing
Roosevelt like to draw and write in his journal about the animals he found while playing outside.
Theodore Roosevelt national park - Sunset Perfection
One place that almost always promises a wonderful sunset view is the Wind Canyon Trail in the South Unit of TRNP. A short stroll (0.3 miles) to an overlook of the Little Missouri flowing in a curve below with b... More
Roosevelt age 10 - National Parks Gallery
Theodore's childhood nickname was "Teedie" - his parents and sisters called him that.
The Slippery Stuff - National Parks Gallery
There are various layers of sediment going on in these Badlands formations. One such layer is of volcanic ash from when the Rocky Mountains were forming, known as Bentonite Clay. When wet, the clay becomes a ve... More
Theodore Roosevelt national park - Star Cluster
Showy Milkweed (Asclepias speciosa): blooms in the months of June through August, between 2-3 feet in height, and has uses as medicine and/or food source (young shoots, flower buds, and green seed pods are all edible).
River Bend Overlook - National Parks Gallery
One of the iconic and beloved spots in the North Unit of TRNP, the River Bend Overlook is an enduring structure from the 1930's when the Civilian Conservation Core built it in it's aptly named location.
CCC Camp - National Parks Gallery
Three CCC Companies, #2767, #2771, and #2772, operated in the badlands from 1934 to 1941. About 200 men, each earning $30 a month, worked at each of the camps.
Jones Creek CCC Camp - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
In 1939, Company 2771 moved to this site on the east bank of the Little Missouri River just south of Jones Creek, which they occupied until November, 1941.
HFCA 1607_People Volume 1_252.jpg
Bison trap and trap baiting in Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
Theodore Roosevelt national park - Bison sunset
Bison with a sunset from Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Picryl description: Public domain photograph of National Park, nature, free to use, no copyright restrictions image.
Theodore Roosevelt national park - Winter Caravan
Bighorn Sheep (Ovis canadensis): average of 4.5-5.5 feet in length and 150-175 pounds in weight; primarily feed on grasses and shrubs; habitat consists of grasslands to steep cliff faces depending if they are g... More
One of a Kind - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
Pronghorn (Antilocapra americana): average of 4.5 feet in length and 75-140 pounds in weight; primarily variably feed on grasses, forbs, and shrubs; habitat consists of expansive open grasslands, providing enou... More
Theodore Roosevelt national park - Fall Harem
Elk (Cervus canadensis): until the mating season, where males vie to protect as many females as they can (gathering their harem), male and female adult elk keeps themselves apart.
Time to Roam - National Parks Gallery
Bison (Bison bison): being able to catch sight of the bison really varies minute to minute due to the animals being very mobile grazers. Bison will travel, on average, 10-15 miles a day at rates up to 5-6 miles per hour.
Theodore Roosevelt national park - What's That?
Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus): average of 4-7 feet in length and 150-200 pounds in weight; primarily variably feed on grasses, forbs, shrubs, and trees; and habitat consists of North-facing slopes that provid... More
Pitch a Tent - National Parks Gallery
Whether in the designated campground (Cottonwood Campground in the South Unit of TRNP) or in the back country, take the opportunity to fully embrace the badlands by pitching your tent and staying a night or more.
Theodore Roosevelt national park - Stoic Pose
Elk (Cervus canadensis): average of 7-8 feet in length and 510-710 pounds in weight; primarily feed on native grasses, forbs, and trees; habitat consists of prairie grasslands for eating at dusk and dawn, then ... More
Theodore Roosevelt national park - Lonely Call
Coyote (Canis latrans): average of 3-4.5 feet in body length and 40 pounds in weight; primarily feed on other animals ranging from prairie dogs to deer; habitat consists of grasslands for hunting and sink holes... More
Theodore Roosevelt national park - Lark Sparrow
Public domain photograph related to US National Parks, Nature, conservation, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Theodore Roosevelt national park - Hairy Woodpecker
Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Eastern Screech Owl - National Parks Gallery
Public domain photograph related to US National Parks, Nature, conservation, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Theodore Roosevelt national park - Says Phoebe
Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Theodore Roosevelt national park - Golden Eagle
Picryl description: Public domain image of a historical building, landmark architecture, world heritage, free to use, no copyright restrictions.
Great-Horned Owl - 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 - Pine Siskin
Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Runner Up: Daniel Silva, colorful landscape, Theodore Roosevelt Wilder...
Photographer Daniel Silva was impressed by the vastness of this scene, which makes the trees look small amid the colorful landscape of Theodore Roosevelt Wilderness, North Dakota.
Theodore Roosevelt national park - Prairie Rattlesnake
A coiled prairie rattlesnake. Public domain photograph related to US National Parks, Nature, conservation, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Short-horned lizard - National Parks Gallery
One of the few lizards that lives in the park is the short-horned. When threatened they can squirt blood from their eyes - gross!
Sketch by young Roosevelt - Public domain scenic drawing
Theodore Roosevelt was always fascinated by the natural world! As a boy he would draw pictures and write in his journal about the animals he found and studied.
Bullsnake in tree - National Parks Gallery
Snakes are excellent climbers! This snake was probably climbing the tree to eat bird eggs.
National parks: Bison - public domain image
There are Bison in the North and South Units of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
Theodore Roosevelt national park - Badlands Overlook
A view of the North Dakota Badlands from the South Unit's Badlands Overlook.
Newborn Bison Calf - National Parks Gallery
A Bison calf walks along a ridge at sunset. Public domain scan of silhouette art photography, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Theodore Roosevelt national park - Black henbane
Hyoscyamus niger Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Black-tailed Prairie Dog - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
The Black-tailed Prairie Dog lives in Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
Theodore Roosevelt national park - Spotted Towhee
Spotted towhees get their name from their song. Although the towhee's song varies from one region to another, many of the spotted towhees in the park commonly sing "to-to-to-whee!"
Wind Canyon Overlook - National Parks Gallery
Wind Canyon Overlook is a short walk along the Scenic Loop Drive. Visitors who take the short walk are rewarded with an amazing view.
Theodore Roosevelt national park - Prairie Dog
This Prairie Dog is ready for winter.
Winter at the Maltese Cross Cabin
Theodore Roosevelt's Maltese Cross Cabin was heated by two stoves and fueled by lignite coal readily available in the hillsides of the badlands.
National parks: Elk - public domain image
Theodore Roosevelt called the elk a "stately and splendid deer, the lordliest of its kind throughout the world..."
View from Buck Hill - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
A view from Buck Hill, a high point in the South Unit.
Tourist Attraction - East Entrance Station Today
The East Entrance Station is no longer in use, but it is still there. It's a short hike from the South Unit's Scenic Loop Road to the site. When I-94 was built, the entrance station moved to its current locatio... More
Theodore Roosevelt national park - Hairy woodpecker
Hairy woodpecker foraging for insects in the bark of a juniper tree.
CCC Road Construction - National Parks Gallery
CCC work crews built portions of the roads you can still drive on today.
East Entrance Station - National Parks Gallery
A park ranger meets with visitors entering the historic East Entrance Station.
Theodore Roosevelt national park - Rutting Season
The end of the summer is the rutting season for the park's Bison.
Theodore Roosevelt national park - Painted Canyon
The view at the Painted Canyon overlook.
National parks: Cottontail - public domain image
A cottontail seeks the shade of a piece of petrified wood.
Maltese Cross Cabin in Fall - Public Domain image, National Parks Gall...
Gold-leaved cottonwood trees mark the changing seasons and bring dramatic color to the riverbottoms in Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
Theodore Roosevelt national park - Russian knapweed
Centarurea repens, Russian knapweed. The similar spotted knapweed, Centaurea maculosa, is also found in the park.
National parks: Horses - public domain image
Wild horses in the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
Theodore Roosevelt national park - Bachelor Stallion
Solitary horses tend to be bachelor stallions that are trying to form a herd of their own.
Theodore Roosevelt national park - Prairie Dogs
These Prairie Dogs are aware that danger might be close by.
Theodore Roosevelt national park - Sagebrush Checkerspot
Sagebrush checkerspot on dry bentonite clay
Old East Entrance Station - Public Domain image, National Parks Galler...
The Old East Entrance Station was constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) and visitors can still hike to the location today.
Young Prairie Dog - National Parks Gallery
This young Black-tailed Prairie Dog looks up from his hole to see if any predators are around.
Roadside Prairie Dog - National Parks Gallery
Prairie Dog holes can be very close to the park's loop road.
Theodore Roosevelt national park - Least Chipmunk
The least chipmunk is the smallest type of chipmunk in North America.
Theodore Roosevelt national park - Prickly Pear
Look before you sit! Prickly pears are found throughout the park and their flowers come in a variety of colors.
Theodore Roosevelt national park - Prairie Dog
You can hear Black-tailed Prairie Dogs comunicating with each other in Prairie Dog towns in Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
Cottonwood Campground View - National Parks Gallery
The Little Missouri River runs past the Cottonwood Campground in the South Unit.
Theodore Roosevelt national park - Prairie Dog
Prairie Dogs can sometimes dig through the park road.
River Bend Overlook Today - Public Domain image, National Parks Galler...
The River Bend Overlook is a short walk from the parking area along the North Unit Scenic Drive.
Theodore Roosevelt national park - Badlands Sunset
A colorful badlands sunset. Picryl description: Public domain photograph of National Park, nature, free to use, no copyright restrictions image.
Theodore Roosevelt national park - Culvert Today
If you drive the South Unit's Scenic Loop Drive today, you will pass over this culvert built by the CCC.
Theodore Roosevelt national park - Prairie Rose
The prairie rose, or wild rose, is common throughout the grasslands, and has an large, easily-recognizable flower.
Theodore Roosevelt national park - North Unit
The view from one of the many overlooks in the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
Maltese Cross Cabin in Summer - A small log cabin with a wooden fence ...
The Maltese Cross Cabin, located adjacent to the South Unit Visitor Center, is open for ranger-guided tours in the summer and self-guided tours the rest of the year.
National parks: Yucca - public domain image
Yucca is an easily-recognizable plant with stiff, thin, pointed leaves and tall stalks with multiple flowers.
Theodore Roosevelt national park - Eastern Kingbird
Eastern kingbirds sit on a perch and zip out to catch insects on the wing before returning to their post
Theodore Roosevelt national park - Color Characteristics
Wild horses in Theodore Roosevelt National Park show some interesting color characteristics, including many with a white or "bald" face and spots or "dappling".
Theodore Roosevelt national park - Rain Pillars
These rain pillars are located in the wilderness portion of Theodore Roosevelt National Park's South Unit in the Petrified Forest.
Theodore Roosevelt national park - Rock Wren
A rock wren on the Wind Canyon Trail. Public domain photograph related to US National Parks, Nature, conservation, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Young Bison Calf - National Parks Gallery
Calves are orange in color when they are born. They typically turn brown by their first winter.
Theodore Roosevelt national park - Horses Fighting
Feral Horses in the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
Theodore Roosevelt national park - Absinth wormwood
Artemisia absinthium Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Old Bison Bull - National Parks Gallery
Old Bison bulls leave the herd and live on their own for the remainder of their lives.
Theodore Roosevelt national park - Baltimore Oriole
Baltimore orioles often nest in cottonwood trees, such as those in the park's campgrounds.
Mule Deer Buck - National Parks Gallery
A mule deer buck in velvet. Public domain photograph of wildlife, animals, wilderness, nature, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Theodore Roosevelt national park - Wild Turkey
Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Bison in the Campground - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
Bison frequent the campgrounds in the park. Be respectful and keep your distance - these wild animals are very large and very fast.
National parks: Bison - public domain image
On hot summer days Bison visit prairie dog towns in Theodore Roosevelt National Park.