Theodore Roosevelt National Park Family Vacations

Chalk it up to geography. At the northern cusp of the continental U.S. and surrounded by wide-open prairie and grasslands, Theodore Roosevelt National Park gets overlooked and written off as too distant or ho-hum. Don't be fooled.

These gorgeous North Dakota Badlands -- kinder and less stark than South Dakota's -- stretch like canyons, striated in rich reds, deep ochre, cream-colored clay and the greens of cedar and sage. Lighting that strikes these peaks can set afire a coal vein that simmers for decades and bakes the sand and clay to rich brick tones.

A mini-van can feel more like a tin can if you're caught in a crowd of road-crossing, one-ton bison who take their time and may show off their mud-bathing skills by writhing in a dusty wallow. Keen eyes can spot the wild horses that roam free, often along the banks of the Little Missouri River.

The park encompasses three disconnected units: the least-crowded north unit, the elkhorn unit (which envelopes Roosevelt's former ranch), and the most-popular south unit, which is easy to reach via Interstate 94 and anchored by Medora, a welcoming small town with a western flair. Much of the town and its attractions are run by a non-profit organization started by Harold Schafer, former North Dakota governor and founder of Mr. Bubbles bubble bath. They keep it squeaky-clean family-friendly.

The park and town do an admirable job teaching kids about American history and Theodore Roosevelt, who shows up in one-man shows, rides his horse through the nightly musical, and leaves a rich legacy for his conservation efforts and can-do attitude. He often said he would not have been president had it not been for his time living in the North Dakota badlands, where the once sickly, asthmatic city boy learned to hunt and later run a cattle ranch.

Kids can tap that adventurous spirit with horseback rides, introductory mountain biking sessions, ranger talks in the park, and hikes through the Badlands. Golf lovers can play at Bully Pulpit, a course where emerald greens nestle into the reds badlands. Medora's Wild West-themed playground draws a steady stream of younger kids with forts, boardwalks, monkey bars and swings.

With the national park's scenery, wildlife and history lessons plus the throwback charm of Medora, it's a classic and adventurous destination.