Can you reserve a site at South Unit Visitor Center?

No. South Unit Visitor Center is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.

South Unit Visitor Center

Facility · North Dakota ·

Managed by the National Park Service

Theodore Roosevelt National Park (National Park) · Open Access

2,267 ft
Elevation

South Unit Visitor Center — Photo: NPS Photo · Recreation.gov

Rangers staff the desk, assist visitors with trip planning, and issue backcountry permits. Theodore Roosevelt's Maltese Cross Cabin, located just outside, is open for self-guided tours year-round. Ranger-led cabin tours are offered in the summer. The park film, Refuge of the American Spirit, shows in the theater. A bookstore sells books, postcards, and more. A museum houses artifacts from Theodore Roosevelt's presidency and time in the badlands.

Getting there

The South Unit Visitor Center is located at the entrance to the park's scenic loop drive in the town of Medora, ND.

46.91650, -103.52621 · 46°54'59.4"N 103°31'34.4"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 86°F in Jul, down to 28°F in Jan.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	28	32	44	56	67	77	86	85	74	58	42	31
Low °F	3	8	18	30	41	50	56	53	43	30	18	7
Precip in	0.3	0.4	0.6	1.6	2.6	2.9	2.1	1.4	1.4	1.2	0.6	0.6

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 0 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

More photos

Native Plant Garden out front of South Unit Visitor Center — Photo: NPS Photo/L. Thomas · Recreation.gov

Park Sign at Entrance to South Unit Visitor Center — Photo: NPS Photo · Recreation.gov

Member photos

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Common questions about South Unit Visitor Center

Can you reserve a site at South Unit Visitor Center?: No. South Unit Visitor Center is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.

Camping near South Unit Visitor Center

Cottonwood Campground (ND) 2.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
Cottonwood Group Site (ND) 2.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
Roundup Group Horse Camp 6.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
Buffalo Gap Campground (ND) 7.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
Little Missouri National Grassland 0.2 mi · Facility
Painted Canyon Visitor Center 7 mi · Facility
Battle of the Badlands Interpretive Site 7.8 mi · Facility
Initial Rock 9.3 mi · Facility
Wannagan Campground 10 mi · Campground
Whitetail Picnic Area 22.1 mi · Campground
Burning Coal Vein Campground 22.4 mi · Campground
Elkhorn Campground 22.6 mi · Campground

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Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.

Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.