Visiting Theodore Roosevelt National Park in a Wheelchair
Named after the president that began the national park system, this park is hidden gem in North Dakota. It was here that Teddy Roosevelt came to escape and immerse himself in nature. He enjoyed himself so much that he was inspired to preserve beautiful spaces like this for generations to come and so began the national parks (although this wasn’t the first designated national park). I definitely recommend the trip to see this park, so I’m writing this to tell you all about visiting Theodore National Park in a wheelchair.
Where to Stay:
Medora
If you aren’t camping, this cute little western themed town located just outside of the Southern part of the national park is a great place to stay. Driving through there are cute shops and restaurants that are wheelchair accessible. There are also hotel and motel options that offer wheelchair accessible rooms.
Sully Creek State Park
Located in the town of Medora, this small but beautiful state park offers a great place to call home while exploring the national park. The sites have small gravel, are level, and offer great views. I didn’t see any sites that were specifically for the disabled, but I think most sites would work. It is about a five-minute drive to the south end of Theodore Roosevelt National Park and a little over an hour drive to the north portion. The north portion of the park is pretty remote, and most people stay closer to the south end.
Things to Do:
1. Scenic drives within the park
Both parts of the park offer amazing scenic drives and overlooks. Some of the overlooks you can see right from your vehicle. All of the lookouts offer accessible parking, and the overlooks themselves are wheelchair accessible. There are accessible restrooms at the visitor center and about halfway through the drive in the south unit. I recommend doing both drives in both sections of the park as they each offer something special and unique. One of my favorite stops was in the north park that featured natural cannonball formations. It was like nothing I’d ever seen before.
2. Search for Wildlife
The Park is home to all sorts of wildlife and includes Bison, Long Horn Sheep, Prairie Dogs, and horses. It was incredible to see these animals against the backdrop of the beautiful buttes that make up the park. Side note, buttes look like mountains but are formed by erosion. When you visit, see how many of these animals you can find.
3. Accessible hiking
Most national parks offer at least one accessible hiking trail, and this park is no different. We had only one day to explore both sections so we, unfortunately, didn’t get a chance to try this trail out. I would definitely recommend spending at least two full days exploring this amazing place. The Little Mo Nature Trail in the northern unit is considered wheelchair accessible.
I thoroughly enjoyed this park. The colors were beautiful, the wildlife amazing, and more than I thought North Dakota had to offer. I didn’t have the opportunity to explore the little town of Medora, but I’m sure it has a lot of charm to offer. I love those national parks such as this one that offer people with mobility issues the chance to experience nature.
