Free Topo Maps of Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Download free topo maps of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Use the adjoining 7.5 minute quadrangle legend to locate the North Dakota maps you need.

Adjoining 7.5' Quadrangle Legend

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Theodore Roosevelt National Park is located in the badlands of North Dakota. The park was named in honor of the 26th President of the United States, after his death in 1919. Roosevelt's passion for the outdoors and the land has been memorialized by establishment of this vast Park which has three sections, the North and South Unit, plus the Elkhorn Ranch Unit. The smaller section, North Unit, is located south of Watford City; while the larger area, South Unit is in close proximity to Medora. Elkhorn Ranch, lies between both the North and South Units with the Little Missouri River flowing through all three sections. Roosevelt became enamored with the area when he hunted bison in the North Dakota badlands. He loved the rugged way of life and the sensation of self-determination that epitomized the West. Roosevelt purchased Maltese Cross Ranch, which became a haven following the death of his wife and mother who died on the same day. The double tragedy created a need for solitude needed to recover from this heartbreaking catastrophe. It was during this time of recuperation that Roosevelt started Elkhorn Ranch which occupied his time and thoughts. The two ranches, Maltese and Elkhorn, and the pleasure he took in being in the badlands served to influence his later conservation policies when he became President of the United States. With scenic drives, horse trails, backcountry hiking and camping, the Park is a popular outdoor recreation area; however, it also serves as a wonderful place to visit and to learn more about President Theodore Roosevelt, Great Plains wildlife and the West's 1800's lifestyle. The Visitor Center at the South Unit offers a great deal of information and history regarding the Park, with in-depth details regarding Roosevelt's ranching days. The Maltese Cross Cabin is open year-round; while the Elkhorn Ranch is accessible by gravel roads with travel instructions available from the Rangers. The Long X rail, a cattle route used in the 1800's passes through the North Unit. Theodore Roosevelt aptly stated that no man "...can adequately appreciate the world of to-day unless he has some knowledge of ...the history the world of the past." He also believed that we all need to have a feeling, or sense of the past, as well as knowledge. His innate sense of nature and the outdoors is what led him to become a conservationist at heart, contributing enormously to the safekeeping and the protection of United States' resources.