Imagine being transported to two vastly different landscapes, both showcasing the beauty of the great outdoors. On one hand, you have Theodore Roosevelt National Park, with its sprawling badlands and rolling hills, dotted with bison and pronghorns. On the other, there’s Voyageurs National Park, with its chain of interconnected lakes, surrounded by dense forests and pristine wilderness.
Which one should you visit? That’s the question we aim to answer in this article. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or a first-time camper, both parks offer unique experiences and breathtaking landscapes. With Theodore Roosevelt National Park, you’ll get a taste of the Wild West and explore the same rugged terrain that Teddy Roosevelt himself roamed. Meanwhile, Voyageurs National Park is a water lover’s paradise, offering endless opportunities for boating, fishing, and exploring the countless waterways.
So, buckle up and get ready for a journey through two of America’s most magnificent national parks. We’ll compare and contrast each park, highlighting the best activities, sights, and experiences for visitors. By the end of this article, you’ll have a clear idea of which park is right for you.
Hiking Trails in Theodore Roosevelt National Park and Voyageurs National Park
Theodore Roosevelt National Park and Voyageurs National Park are both popular destinations for nature enthusiasts and outdoor recreationists. When it comes to hiking trails, each park offers a unique selection of routes for visitors to explore.
At Theodore Roosevelt National Park, the trails range from easy, scenic walks to strenuous hikes with steep climbs. The park’s most popular trail, the Painted Canyon Nature Trail, is a 1.5-mile loop that offers breathtaking views of the park’s colorful rock formations. For those seeking a more challenging hike, the Wind Canyon Trail is a 4.6-mile round trip that takes you up to the top of a ridge for panoramic views of the park.
Voyageurs National Park, on the other hand, is known for its network of waterways and offers a variety of water-based activities. The park also has several hiking trails, including the Kettle Falls Trail, which is a 2.5-mile loop that leads to a historic dam and the Kettle Falls portage site. For those looking for a more strenuous hike, the Rainy Lake Trail is a 5-mile round trip that takes you through the forest to the shore of Rainy Lake.
Overall, both Theodore Roosevelt National Park and Voyageurs National Park offer a diverse selection of hiking trails for visitors to explore. Whether you’re looking for a leisurely walk or a challenging hike, both parks have something to offer.
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Theodore Roosevelt National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wind Canyon Trail | 804.67 | 16.764 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Caprock Coulee Loop | 6115.492 | 159.7152 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Painted Canyon Nature Trail | 1770.274 | 78.9432 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Petrified Forest Trail | 16415.268 | 253.8984 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| Maah Daah Hey Trail | 229009.082 | 4614.9768 | Hard | point to point | 4.5 |
| Lower Paddock Creek Trail | 11587.248 | 127.7112 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Buck Hill Trail | 643.736 | 16.764 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Ridgeline Nature Trail | 1126.538 | 33.8328 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Coal Vein Trail | 965.604 | 4.8768 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Buckhorn Trail | 19633.948 | 324.9168 | Hard | loop | 4.5 |
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Voyageurs National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blind Ash Bay Trail | 5793.624 | 117.9576 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Kabetogama Lake Overlook Trail | 643.736 | 17.9832 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Cruiser Lake to Brown Lake and Anderson Bay | 14001.258 | 224.9424 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| Beaver Pond Overlook Trail | 482.802 | 1.8288 | Easy | out and back | 3.5 |
| Kab-Ash Trail | 24461.968 | 406.908 | Easy | out and back | 3 |
| Sullivan Bay Trail | 2092.142 | 27.7368 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Black Bay Beaver Pond Trail | 1931.208 | 22.86 | Easy | out and back | 5 |
Wildlife in Theodore Roosevelt National Park and Voyageurs National Park
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, located in North Dakota, is a popular destination for those looking to observe wildlife. Visitors can see bison, pronghorns, bighorn sheep, and elk roaming the park’s rolling hills and prairies. In addition to these large mammals, the park is also home to a diverse array of bird species, including the sharp-tailed grouse, the western meadowlark, and the American goldfinch.
Voyageurs National Park, located in Minnesota, is a water-based park that is also known for its rich wildlife. Commonly seen animals include beavers, otters, and moose. The park is also a popular spot for birdwatching, with species such as the common loon, the bald eagle, and the osprey commonly seen around the park’s numerous lakes and waterways.
Both parks are also rich in plant life, with Theodore Roosevelt National Park being home to a variety of prairie grasses and wildflowers, while Voyageurs National Park is known for its lush forests and diverse ferns. Whether you’re interested in observing large mammals, birdwatching, or simply exploring the natural beauty of these parks, both Theodore Roosevelt National Park and Voyageurs National Park are sure to leave a lasting impression on all who visit.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Theodore Roosevelt National Park and Voyageurs National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Theodore Roosevelt National Park | Voyageurs National Park |
|---|---|
| Peregrine Falcon | Peregrine Falcon |
| Northern Harrier | Northern Harrier |
| Sharp-Shinned Hawk | Sharp-Shinned Hawk |
| Osprey | Osprey |
| Tree Swallow | Tree Swallow |
| Mallard | Mallard |
| Canada Goose | Canada Goose |
| Lincoln’s Sparrow | Lincoln’s Sparrow |
| Ruby-Crowned Kinglet | Ruby-Crowned Kinglet |
| American Robin | American Robin |
| Great Horned Owl | Great Horned Owl |
| Red-Tailed Hawk | Red-Tailed Hawk |
| Northern Flicker | Northern Flicker |
| Merlin | Merlin |
| Barn Swallow | Barn Swallow |
| Savannah Sparrow | Savannah Sparrow |
| Great Blue Heron | Great Blue Heron |
| American Kestrel | Hermit Thrush |
| Bald Eagle | American Kestrel |
| Song Sparrow | Bald Eagle |
| European Starling | Song Sparrow |
| Northern Pintail | European Starling |
| American Wigeon | Northern Pintail |
| Green-Winged Teal | American Wigeon |
| Swainson’s Thrush | Green-Winged Teal |
Mammals
| Theodore Roosevelt National Park | Voyageurs National Park |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | American Beaver |
| Muskrat | Muskrat |
| Big Brown Bat | Big Brown Bat |
| Bobcat | Bobcat |
| Striped Skunk | Striped Skunk |
| Little Brown Bat | Little Brown Bat |
| Deer Mouse | Deer Mouse |
| Raccoon | Raccoon |
| Porcupine | Black Bear |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Porcupine |
| Hoary Bat | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Red Fox | Hoary Bat |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Red Fox |
| House Mouse | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Mountain Lion | House Mouse |
| Mink | Mountain Lion |
| Mule Deer | Mink |
| Gray Wolf | Common Gray Fox |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Plains Wolf |
| Long-Eared Myotis | American Badger |
| Badger | Ermine |
| Snowshoe Hare | Snowshoe Hare |
| North American River Otter | River Otter |
| Masked Shrew | Masked Shrew |
Reptiles
| Theodore Roosevelt National Park | Voyageurs National Park |
|---|---|
| Bullsnake | |
| Racer | |
| Rattlesnake | |
| Sagebrush Lizard | |
| Common Garter Snake | |
| Hernandez’s Short-Horned Lizard |
Amphibians
| Theodore Roosevelt National Park | Voyageurs National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Northern Leopard Frog |
| Tiger Salamander | Wood Frog |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Plains Spadefoot |
Fish
| Theodore Roosevelt National Park | Voyageurs National Park |
|---|---|
| Longnose Sucker | Largemouth Bass |
| Green Sunfish | Longnose Sucker |
| Bluegill | Green Sunfish |
| Flathead Minnow | Bluegill |
| Golden Shiner | Fathead Minnow |
| Carp/European Carp | Golden Shiner |
| Northern Pike | Lake Trout |
| Burbot | Northern Pike |
| Longnose Dace | Ellpout |
| Channel Catfish | Mottled Sculpin |
| Black Bullhead | Slimy Sculpin |
| Creek Chub | Longnose Dace |
| Black Crappie | |
| Black Bullhead | |
| Creek Chub | |
| Brown Bullhead | |
| Smallmouth Bass |
Beautiful Landscapes in Theodore Roosevelt National Park and Voyageurs National Park
Theodore Roosevelt National Park is located in the Badlands region of North Dakota and is known for its stunning landscapes, including the colorful rock formations, rolling prairies and the rugged Badlands formations. The park is home to a variety of wildlife, including bison, bighorn sheep, and pronghorns, and is a popular destination for hiking, camping, and wildlife watching. The park also offers scenic drives, including the Painted Canyon Overlook, where visitors can take in views of the colorful formations, and the Wind Canyon Trail, which offers a view of the park’s rolling prairies.
Voyageurs National Park, located in northern Minnesota, is known for its pristine lakes and water-based recreation opportunities. The park is a popular destination for boaters, kayakers, and canoeists, and offers numerous opportunities for fishing, camping, and hiking. The park is also home to the Kabetogama Peninsula, a stunning rock formation that rises from the water and offers panoramic views of the surrounding area. In addition, visitors can take a scenic drive along the Kabetogama Peninsula Road, which offers views of the lake and the surrounding wilderness.
Things To-Do and Activities in Theodore Roosevelt National Park and Voyageurs National Park
Theodore Roosevelt National Park and Voyageurs National Park are both located in the United States and offer a unique experience for visitors. Theodore Roosevelt National Park is located in the Badlands region of North Dakota and is known for its scenic drives, hiking, and wildlife viewing. In contrast, Voyageurs National Park is located in northern Minnesota and is known for its water-based activities such as canoeing, kayaking, and fishing.
Visitors to Theodore Roosevelt National Park can enjoy scenic drives through the park, including the 36-mile-long Painted Canyon Scenic Byway. Hiking and wildlife viewing are also popular activities in the park, with bison, pronghorns, and bighorn sheep being the most commonly seen wildlife.
Voyageurs National Park offers visitors a chance to explore the park by water, with canoeing, kayaking, and fishing being the most popular activities. Visitors can rent a canoe or kayak and explore the park’s network of interconnected waterways, or they can go fishing in the park’s many lakes and rivers. In the winter, the park also offers cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Both Theodore Roosevelt National Park and Voyageurs National Park offer visitors unique experiences, with Theodore Roosevelt National Park being more focused on hiking, wildlife viewing, and scenic drives, while Voyageurs National Park is more focused on water-based activities. Regardless of which park you choose, you’ll be sure to have a memorable experience in the great outdoors.
Best Time to Visit Theodore Roosevelt National Park and Voyageurs National Park
Theodore Roosevelt National Park and Voyageurs National Park are two popular national parks in the United States, both offering unique outdoor experiences to visitors. However, their seasonal weather can greatly differ and impact the best time to visit.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, located in North Dakota, experiences cold winters with temperatures frequently dropping below freezing, and hot, dry summers with temperatures reaching over 90°F. The best time to visit is in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and the park’s abundant wildlife is more active.
Voyageurs National Park, located in Minnesota, also experiences cold winters, but with temperatures typically above freezing. The park’s summers are warm and humid, with temperatures ranging from 70°F to 90°F. The best time to visit Voyageurs is in the summer when the park’s lakes and waterways are open for boating and fishing.
Both parks offer unique experiences, but the weather should be a consideration when planning a visit. Visitors to Theodore Roosevelt National Park should plan for a more rugged experience and be prepared for extreme temperatures, while those visiting Voyageurs National Park should be prepared for warm, humid weather and plan to spend time on the water.
Family Friendliness of Theodore Roosevelt National Park and Voyageurs National Park
Theodore Roosevelt National Park is located in North Dakota and is known for its beautiful landscapes and wildlife. This park is well-suited for families with children as it offers many opportunities for outdoor recreation, such as hiking, camping, and horseback riding. There are also several ranger-led programs for kids, including nature walks and Junior Ranger activities.
On the other hand, Voyageurs National Park in Minnesota is also a great option for families. This park is located on the border of Canada and is known for its water-based activities, such as boating, canoeing, and fishing. There are also several campgrounds and hiking trails, making it a great place to spend a few days with the family. Kids will love exploring the park’s many islands and learning about the history of the fur trade.
Both Theodore Roosevelt National Park and Voyageurs National Park are great options for families, but each park offers a different experience. If you’re looking for a more traditional national park experience with opportunities for hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing, Theodore Roosevelt National Park is the better choice. If you’re looking for a park with a focus on water-based activities, Voyageurs National Park is the way to go. Ultimately, the best park for your family will depend on your individual interests and preferences.