Theodore Roosevelt National Park: Cycling the Scenic Loop

One of the things Barry was most looking forward to during our visit to Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota was cycling the Scenic Loop road around the park's south unit, where we were staying in Cottonwood Campground.  I was a bit nervous about the ride because I knew it involved quite a bit of climbing, though after driving it in 2013, I knew I'd be rewarded with amazing views along the way.

That's really an understatement.  Photos simply can't do this special place justice.  We actually rode the loop on two separate days, in a counter-clockwise direction the first day and clockwise the second.  Barry actually rode it twice both days!  The mileage from our campsite at Cottonwood Campground, around the loop and back came in at just over 26 miles, not a long ride by road cycling standards, but definitely an epic one.

The ride had some roller coaster climbs, requiring me to stop to catch my breath part way up on occasion, but the scenery was unbeatable. Bison!  Hoodoos!  Canyons!  Badlands!   Check out the photos and see for yourself.

There were occasional bison roadblocks we'd have to wait out

I was a little nervous not having the protection of a car around me!

Herd of bison

Wild horses could be seen along the way as well

Grinding up a big climb

Summitting another long hill

Done!

​If you are a road cyclist and have a chance to ride this loop, do it.  You will not regret it!