Theodore Roosevelt National Park - Day 2
- May 7 - May 8 -
Exploring the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park
May 8, 2025
We set out early in the morning for a 70-mile drive along Route 85 to explore the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Compared to the South Unit, the landscape here featured more dramatic rock formations, including the fascinating cannonball concretions which are large, perfectly rounded stones naturally formed over time.
One of the highlights of this portion of our trip was spotting what turned out to be our final bison sighting of the trip. The 14-mile scenic drive through the North Unit badlands offered unforgettable views from several overlooks, showcasing the rugged beauty of North Dakota's most iconic terrain.
Not all surprises were pleasant, though. As we returned to the car after our last overlook stop, we had a close encounter with two snakes we will call resting near the sidewalk. I’m still not sure if they were bullsnakes or rattlesnakes, but I definitely heard a rattle, although that may have just been my teeth chattering as I quickly made my way back to the car!
