Elkhorn Ranch Review

Drove here on a dry, sunny day, in a Prius. Took both the north and south approaches, and the approach from the north unit is easier, and involves less travel on dirt roads. The roads themselves are good, except for the final three miles up to the ranch site. Watch out for ruts, and drive carefully to avoid getting your tires stuck. If you've driven on country roads before, this isn't as bad. I personally found the road to Chaco Canyon to be far more challenging.

That being said, this place is absolutely magical. You can feel the stirrings of history here. Understanding Teddy Roosevelt almost requires a visit to this place. He came here to escape from the world, to heal from a great personal tragedy, and to rediscover his love of nature. There very likely would never have been a national park system like what we have without his time here. It's worth your time to come.

A serene isolated place still filled with the spirit of Theodore Roosevelt. It is necessary to drive about 40 miles on gravel roads to reach this location. The Park Service also does not have any signs to guide the traveler as they wish to maintain its isolated character. Ask at the TRNP Visitor Center for directions as it is well worth the trip.

Such an incredibly peaceful and beautiful location! A must see for anyone interested in Theodore Roosevelt and conservation!

What an awesome trip back in history, to imagine Teddy Roosevelt and his friends setting out here each morning and returning in the evening, sitting in the porch watching the clouds go by and listening to the wind in the trees. I can see how this place instilled in him anlove and appreciation for the great wild places in America and a desire to preserve them for future generations to enjoy.

I visited this and it was wonderful. Follow the directions. I watched my odometer and measured each leg. The roads are gravel but all fine. I have a small car and it got me there just fine. You have to drive past the campground. Don't drive in it. You keep going until the road ends. You feel like you have gone too far but the road will end. the parking lot is there. You hike about 1 mile and the ranch is there with a couple of displays. I was there all alone. very peaceful place. You experience what Teddy experienced. The foundation stones of his cabin are still there. You hear the rustle of the cottonwood trees and the singing of the birds. No noise of roads or city. Nature at its best. There were only two people who signed the visitors book so it is not visited by many people I was the only one there for two hours.
I will come back .

We stayed at Buckhorn Ranch on the other side of the Little Missouri, which meant the only way to get to Elkhorn was to cross the river (which was quite low) on foot. Watch where you cross or you'll sink to your shins in mud! It was an amazing experience, one we will never forget. I'm a huge TR buff and agree - you can't get inside his mind without hiking out to this most remote outpost that was the love of his life after his wife passed away.

What a great place! As a history teacher and a big fan of TR you can't understand him unless you drive the 50 miles of dirt roads to reach this isolated place. I only wish that the Park Service would rebuild his cabin so that a visitor could sit on his front porch and enjoy the same view that he did.

Exactly what I hoped for. There were no visitors except my wife and I making it feel very similar to how it must have felt when Teddy Roosevelt was here. There were also cattle on the trail, which made it all the more authentic! It was quiet and beautiful. It was definitely worth the extended drive on gravel for me!