Watch Hundreds Of Bison Roam At This Beautiful 70,000 Acre Park In North Dakota
One of the most iconic animals of North Dakota is the bison. From the champion college sports team mascot in Fargo to the rare white bison and towering statue in Jamestown and the many wild bison that roam the prairie, you’ll find them in just about any region of this state. If you want to get a true bison experience, then you won’t find a better one than is found at North Dakota’s huge and beautiful Theodore Roosevelt National Park in the west.
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With over 70,000 acres of lush prairie and badlands to roam, both the North Unit and South Unit of the Theodore Roosevelt National Park are the perfect place to see hundreds of bison roam.
Bison used to run in herds of thousands until they were all but nearly wiped out in the late 1800s. Thanks to the preservation of areas like this, bison were able to make a comeback and now roam the prairies again. Today, there are many in the park and they are one of the main attractions.
While driving through the park you might just find yourself in some bison traffic. This is a great way to view the bison as you can sit safely in your car as they pass freely. Bison are a dangerous animal and one that visitors should view from a safe distance; do not leave your vehicle and get close. When you see them in person, you'll realize just how huge and powerful they are. Majestic, yes, but not something to mess with.
Throughout both units of the park, you'll likely find herds of bison that may just be a few or maybe many. They travel over the rivers, up into the hills, and often share the hiking trails visitors use.
In the spring you can expect to see calves beginning their life with the herds. It's a wonderful way to see wild bison in North Dakota roaming happy and free.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park doesn't just have bison herds. There are also wild horse herds, elk, bighorn sheep, prairie dogs, and many other animals. It's like a North Dakota safari experience that everyone should take at least once.
If you are looking for a place to see bison — and hundreds at that — then this huge park is definitely the place for you. Plus, the landscape on which they roam is absolutely gorgeous as well. It doesn't get much better!
You can find bison herds in both the North Unit and South Unit of the park. Find more information on both units by clicking here.
Did you know you can also see bison in another park all the way near Devils Lake, North Dakota? Sullys Hill National Game Preserve is another stunningly scenic and fascinating place with lots of wildlife to view, bison included. Learn more about it here.
Leah moved to North Dakota when she was 12 years old and has traveled from the Red River Valley to the badlands and many places in between. She loves small-town life and currently enjoys living on a small farm in the ND prairie. She's always had a passion for writing and has participated in novel writing challenges such as NaNoWriMo multiple times. Her favorite part about this job is recognizing small businesses that deserve a boost and seeing the positive affect her articles can have on their traffic, especially in rural areas that might have otherwise gone overlooked.
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