On February 14, 1884, tragedy struck Theodore Roosevelt’s life, when both his wife and mother passed away on the same day. Four months later, he returned to Dakota Territory, having decided that he would devote his life to ranching. He found, though, that he desired more solitude than that offered by the Maltese Cross Cabin, which was relatively close to the town of Medora. Eventually, he settled on a location 35 miles north, where he would establish his Elkhorn Ranch.

While the Elkhorn Cabin no longer stands, foundation stones indicate where the structure, built of the local cottonwood, was once located. A visitor, stopping and closing their eyes, can imagine what Roosevelt’s ranch life might have been like.

"My home ranch-house stands on the river brink. From the low, long veranda, shaded by leafy cotton-woods, one looks across sand bars and shallows to a strip of meadowland, behind which rises a line of sheer cliffs and grassy plateaus. This veranda is a pleasant place in the summer evenings when a cool breeze stirs along the river and blows in the faces of the tired men, who loll back in their rocking-chairs (what true American does not enjoy a rocking-chair?), book in hand--though they do not often read the books, but rock gently to and for, gazing sleepily out at the weird-looking buttes opposite, until their sharp outlines grow indistinct and purple in the after-glow of the sunset." - From Hunting Trips of a Ranchman by Theodore Roosevelt.

Visiting the Elkhorn Ranch Site

The Elkhorn Ranch is a remote unit, located between the North and South units of the park. Reaching the Elkhorn Ranch requires a drive of approximately 90 minutes each way, mostly on gravel roads.

Driving from the North Unit to the Elkhorn Ranch Unit
- Take US 85 north (left). Travel 13.8 miles to Watford City.
- Turn left at the light to stay on US 85. Travel 16.5 more miles on US 85.
- Turn left onto ND-68 W. Travel 16.7 miles.
- Turn left onto ND-16 S. Travel 31.4 miles.
- Turn left on Black Tail Road/FH 2 (gravel).
- Travel 12.2 miles.
- Turn right on Bell Lake Road (still FH 2).
- Travel 3 miles.
- Staying on FH2, turn left towards the USFS Elkhorn Campground. Follow FH2 for 3 miles, continuing past the campground and MDHT trailhead to the Elkhorn Ranch Unit parking area.

Driving from the South Unit to the Elkhorn Ranch Unit
- Take I-94 westbound to exit 10.
- At the end of the exit ramp, turn right on County Road 11 (gravel). Follow County Road 11 for 8.8 miles.
- Turn right on Westerheim Road. Follow Westerheim road for 6.5 miles.
- Turn left on Bell Lake Road. Follow Bell Lake Road for 11.7 miles.
- Turn right onto FH2 towards the USFS Elkhorn Campground. Follow FH2 for 3 miles, continuing past the campground and MDHT trailhead to the Elkhorn Ranch Unit parking area.