August 18, 2021
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
ELKHORN RANCH
Medora, ND 58645
“The Elkhorn Ranch was established by Theodore Roosevelt on the banks of the Little Missouri River 35 miles north of Medora, North Dakota in the summer of 1884. Roosevelt hired Bill Sewall and Wilmot Dow, two Maine woodsmen, to run the ranch.” Wikipedia
Theodore Roosevelt came to North Dakota in 1883 to hunt buffalo, while here fell in love with the land. When his wife and mother both died on Valentine’s Day in 1884 Roosevelt decided to return to North Dakota to grieve. Roosevelt got into the cattle business and purchase two ranches in the area, the Maltese Cross Ranch and the Elkhorn Ranch. Roosevelt claimed he would not have become President if not for his time in North Dakota.
Roosevelt sold Elkhorn Ranch in 1898 and according to a local stockman, by 1901 “every scrap of the Elkhorn Ranch had disappeared with the exception of a couple of half rotted foundations.”
Elkhorn Ranch is 35 miles from Medora’s entrance to the South Unit. The shortest route from the South Unit is all gravel/dirt road and publications warn of the possibility of needing a four-wheel drive for the last 3 miles if the weather has been bad. Once at the parking lot you follow a 0.7 mile path back to the cabin site. Along the path are signs with quotes from Roosevelt about his life on the ranch. Once there you find some rocks that show you where the cabin stood. The National Park Service says they keep the land in the condition so people can experience the solitude and serenity that Roosevelt felt while staying in the cabin. I was alone when I visited the site and I did feel the calmness of the site.
If you are visiting the area and only have a day or two, spend it in the South or North Units, but if you have a lot of time in the area then I would recommend the scenic drive to see the Elkhorn Ranch.
A bonus siting on my drive…a herd of Pronghorns crossed the highway in front of me on my way to the ranch…on my way back they were grazing in the field near the highway.
The sign at the trailhead introducing Elkhorn Ranch.
A view along the path to the cabin site.
The Little Missouri River flows next to the site. Unfortunately, North Dakota is experiencing a drought, thus the low water level.
Stones mark where the cabin stood.
A panoramic view of what Roosevelt would have seen from his veranda.
There were signs along the path with quotes from Roosevelt about his life at Elkhorn Ranch.
A view on the drive to Elkhorn Ranch.
A view on the drive to Elkhorn Ranch.
A herd of Pronghorn cross the highway in front of me on my way to Elkhorn Ranch.
When I returned from Elkhorn Ranch the Pronghorns were grazing in the field.
