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
Public domain vintage artistic portrait photograph, 19th century, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description.
This historic photo of the Maltese Cross Ranch shows the cabin in its original location and configuration.
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 (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
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
Public domain photograph of National Park, nature, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
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
Public domain photograph - night sky, astronomy, universe, space, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
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.
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
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.
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
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
Public domain image of cattle, livestock, farm animals, agriculture, free to use, no copyright restrictions - Picryl description
Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Picryl description: Public domain image of a world heritage landmark, natural or regular park, free to use, no copyright restrictions.
Big sagebrush can be identified by the three lobes on the end of its leaves.
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 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 is an important native grass. The top looks like a person's eyebrow!
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
Prairie dogs live in close family groups. They greet family members by touching noses or mouths, kind of like a kiss!
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.
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum): common throughout the year; average of 7.5 inches in length; feed on berries and insects.
The park is an excellent place to experience the night sky. Light pollution from nearby development threatens the natural darkness of the park.
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
Pasqueflower (Anemone patens): blooms in the months of April to mid-May, up to 12 inches in height, and has uses in celebrating the coming of spring.
Eroded exposed rock faces of the buttes, it is clear how the Badlands were created by the layering of various sediments. The layers are made up of of various deposits of sand, mud, volcanic ash, etc. that sprea More
Prairie rattlesnakes do their best to avoid humans. If they feel threatened they might coil into an S-shape and rattle their tails.
Baby bison - called calves - are a distinct orange color when born. A calf will stay with its mother for up to two years.
The seed of this grass has a sharp point with a long thin part attached to it - like a needle with a thread attached!
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
"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 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
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
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
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.
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
This area is covered with a shrub called sage. We can see the two most common types: big sagebrush and silver sage.
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.
Prairie grasslands are the primary habitat of the park. This photo shows a prairie dog town.
The silvery-green color of its leaves gives silver sage its name.
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.
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).
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
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.
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
Big sagebrush is easy to identify because of the three lobes on the end of its leaves
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).
The seed of this grass has a sharp point, like a needle, attached to a thin strand, like a thread.
Whether in the North Unit, South Unit, and/or Elkhorn Unit of TRNP, sunsets are absolutely stunning in the Badlands.
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.
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.
Roosevelt had a great sense of humor, and enjoyed life to the fullest.
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
Traveling through this area was very difficult - one of the reasons the Badlands gets its name.
One of the few lizards found in the park is the short-horned. If threatened they can squirt blood from their eyes - gross!
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.
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
This portrait was taken around the time that Theodore Roosevelt was moving between Dakota and New York
Juniper trees sometimes grow by themselves, but more often are found in dense strands or forests, like in the background of this picture.
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
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.
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 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.
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.
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!
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.
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
The prairie rose is the state flower of North Dakota; it blooms in the early summer.
Cedar waxwings are migratory birds. They visit the park in winter and early spring.
Roosevelt kept many horses around his ranch. His favorite was named Manitou.
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.
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.
Snakes are excellent climbers. This bullsnake was probably in the tree looking for bird eggs to eat.
Public domain photograph of the Moon, telescope photography, astronomy, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
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
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.
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.
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.
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
Male birds have bright feathers to attract the females. The bright colors can also distract predators away from the nest.
Needle and thread is a bunch grass, with deep roots that help hold the soil together.
Theodore Roosevelt was a great speaker. People would gather from all over when they heard he was coming through an area.
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