North Dakota · National Park
Theodore Roosevelt: tour or DIY?
Checked Oct 26, 2026 · Source: NPS
Theodore Roosevelt charges $30 per private vehicle, good for 7 days, according to the National Park Service (checked Oct 26, 2026). The $80 America the Beautiful pass beats paying at the gate after 3 visits. One fee covers the whole car, so a party of four pays $7.50 each to enter, which favors driving yourself.
DIY wins on entry cost for groups
The $30 vehicle fee is paid once for everyone in the car. A tour only beats driving yourself if it saves you real money or time on fuel, parking, shuttles and planning.
We do not print tour prices here because we do not have a live, licensed feed for them. Enter a real quote in the calculator and we prefill this park’s fee.
| Party | Entrance total | Per person |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $30 | $30 |
| 2 people | $30 | $15 |
| 4 people | $30 | $7.50 |
| 6 people | $30 | $5 |
Arithmetic on the NPS fee of $30. The vehicle fee covers all passengers, so cost per person falls as the group grows.
Entrance fees
| Fee | Cost | Notes from NPS |
|---|---|---|
| Entrance - Private Vehicle | $30 | Valid for 7 days for all persons traveling in a single, private, non-commercial vehicle. |
| Entrance - Motorcycle | $25 | Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers. |
| Entrance - Per Person | $15 | Valid for 7 days for a visitor traveling on foot, bicycle, horse, or other non-motorized means of travel. |
| Commercial Entrance - Van | $50 | Based upon the total capacity of a vehicle that can carry 7-15 passengers, regardless of the actual number of passengers. A commercial tour is defined as consisting of one or more persons traveling on an itinerary that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure or… |
| Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus | $60 | Based upon the total capacity of a vehicle that can carry 16-25 passengers, regardless of the actual number of passengers. A commercial tour is defined as consisting of one or more persons traveling on an itinerary that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure or… |
| Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach | $150 | Based upon the total capacity of a vehicle that can carry 26 or more passengers, regardless of the actual number of passengers. A commercial tour is defined as consisting of one or more persons traveling on an itinerary that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure or… |
Source: nps.gov fees and passes for Theodore Roosevelt via the NPS API, checked Oct 26, 2026. Fees change; confirm before you go.
Pass math
- The $80 America the Beautiful Resident Annual Pass equals 3 visits at $30 per vehicle, here or at any other fee site.
- Seniors 62+ pay $20 for an annual pass or $80 for lifetime.
- Theodore Roosevelt also sells its own pass: Annual Entrance - Park, $55.
When it is busiest
NPS recreation visits by month, 2025. July had 21% of the year; January was the quietest month, with about 1% of the busiest month’s visits.
Show the numbers
| Month | Recreation visits |
|---|---|
| January | 850 |
| February | 2,037 |
| March | 9,557 |
| April | 11,491 |
| May | 77,061 |
| June | 132,952 |
| July | 155,747 |
| August | 151,582 |
| September | 127,296 |
| October | 50,520 |
| November | 7,946 |
| December | 2,854 |
Source: NPS IRMA Stats, recreation visitors, 2025, pulled Oct 26, 2026.
Alerts right now
3 active NPS alerts when we checked on Oct 26, 2026. Showing the most serious first.
Information Theodore Roosevelt National Park moves to cashless fee collection
Starting May 1, Theodore Roosevelt National Park will accept only credit cards, debit cards, or digital payments for entrance fees, campground fees, and Interagency Passes. Cash and check payments will no longer be accepted. Details on nps.gov
Information South Unit Address for Mobile Maps – Theodore Roosevelt NP
On all maps used on mobile devices, use the following address to reach the South Unit Visitor Center and Entrance Station 201 East River Road N. Medora, ND 58645 Details on nps.gov
Information Petrified Forest Trailhead Access Update: Use Approved Route
Directions to the Petrified Forest trailhead have changed. Please use the approved legal route from I-94, Exit 10 toward Camels Hump Lake and follow the clearly marked posts. This update helps maintain good cooperation with neighbors and respect park boundaries. Details on nps.gov
Source: NPS API alerts, checked Oct 26, 2026. Conditions change by the hour; check the park page before you drive.
Hours and access
Theodore Roosevelt National Park is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year. This applies to all units of the park; North Unit, South Unit, and Elkhorn Ranch Unit. Even when entrance stations and visitor centers are closed, the park itself remains open. Remember to check current conditions for any weather related closures.
Source: NPS API operating hours, checked Oct 26, 2026.
What NPS lists to do here
- Astronomy
- Auto and ATV
- Backcountry Camping
- Backcountry Hiking
- Biking
- Birdwatching
- Bookstore and Park Store
- Camping
- Car or Front Country Camping
- Food
- Front-Country Hiking
- Group Camping
- Guided Tours
- Hiking
- Horse Camping (see also Horse/Stock Use)
- Horse Camping (see also camping)
- Horse Trekking
- Junior Ranger Program
- Museum Exhibits
- Off-Trail Permitted Hiking
- Park Film
- Picnicking
- Road Biking
- Scenic Driving
- +4 more
Source: NPS API activity tags, checked Oct 26, 2026.
Got a tour quote for Theodore Roosevelt?
Put it next to your own costs and see the break-even.
Open the calculator for Theodore RooseveltQuestions
How much does it cost to enter Theodore Roosevelt by car?
The NPS lists $30 per private vehicle for 7 days (checked Oct 26, 2026). The fee covers every passenger in the vehicle.
When is Theodore Roosevelt busiest?
July had the most recreation visits in 2025 (21% of the year). January had the fewest, so July drew about 183.2 times as many visits. Source: NPS IRMA Stats.
TourOrDIY is independent and not affiliated with the National Park Service. Numbers are copied from NPS public data on Oct 26, 2026 and may have changed. See the accuracy disclaimer and our method.