National parks near Kenmare, North Dakota
Theodore Roosevelt National Park is the closest national park to Kenmare, North Dakota — 134 mi (215 km) in a straight line, which works out to roughly 3 hr 37 min behind the wheel.
Badlands and prairie in western North Dakota, split into park units along the Little Missouri River.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park and Riding Mountain National Park are better with a night booked nearby.
Nothing near Kenmare gates the entrance itself, but 4 of the parks in range put a road, hike, or backcountry trip behind a permit or timed ticket.
Kenmare has a population of about 1,083.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Riding Mountain National Park
Grasslands National Park
Badlands National Park
Wind Cave National Park
Prince Albert National Park
Best time to visit Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Getting to Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Camping at Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
National parks near Kenmare
| Park | Straight-line distance | Estimated drive | Realistic trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Theodore Roosevelt National Park | 134 mi (215 km) | 3 hr 37 min | Best as a weekend |
| Riding Mountain National Park | 177 mi (285 km) | 4 hr 39 min | Best as a weekend |
| Grasslands National Park | 258 mi (416 km) | 6 hr 34 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Badlands National Park | 341 mi (549 km) | 8 hr 31 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Wind Cave National Park | 359 mi (578 km) | 8 hr 57 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Prince Albert National Park | 410 mi (660 km) | 10 hr 9 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Voyageurs National Park | 421 mi (677 km) | 10 hr 24 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Yellowstone National Park | 488 mi (786 km) | 12 hr | Worth a longer road trip |
| Grand Teton National Park | 531 mi (855 km) | 13 hr 1 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Glacier National Park | 533 mi (858 km) | 13 hr 4 min | Worth a longer road trip |
What to book before you leave Kenmare
| Park | What needs booking | Covers | How |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glacier National Park | Logan Pass Shuttle Tickets | One road or area | Timed reservation |
| Voyageurs National Park | Voyageurs National Park Houseboat Permits | One hike or backcountry trip | Permit or lottery |
| Yellowstone National Park | Yellowstone National Park Backcountry Permits | One hike or backcountry trip | Permit or lottery |
| Grand Teton National Park | Grand Teton National Park Backcountry Permits | One hike or backcountry trip | Permit or lottery |
Camping near Kenmare
Within reach of Kenmare, 36 campgrounds across 7 parks appear on Recreation.gov: 10 at Yellowstone National Park, 9 at Grand Teton National Park, 9 at Glacier National Park, and 5 at Theodore Roosevelt National Park, plus 3 more parks with fewer sites.
Recreation.gov releases most national park campsites six months before the arrival date, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern time. Windows are set per campground, so confirm yours on the Seasons and Fees tab on that campground page.
Once a date is gone, cancellations are the real supply, and they get taken within minutes of appearing.
When to make this trip
Theodore Roosevelt National Park is generally best May through October, with April and early November as the quieter shoulder either side.
Winter brings cold, shorter days, and reduced services, though lower-elevation trails often stay walkable.
Peak summer weekends and autumn colour weekends fill parking lots early — arrive before mid-morning.
Planning a trip from Kenmare
Distances here are straight-line and the drive estimate adds a road factor on top, but mountain passes and seasonal closures can change it a lot — a route that looks like three hours in June can be shut entirely in February. Confirm road status with the park before you commit to a date.
Other towns in Ward County
Common questions
What is the closest national park to Kenmare?
Theodore Roosevelt National Park. It is about 134 mi (215 km) from Kenmare, roughly 3 hr 37 min of driving.
Can I do a national park day trip from Kenmare?
Not comfortably. The nearest parks are far enough that you will want at least one night away.
How many national parks are near Kenmare?
10 parks are within reach of Kenmare, and none of them are close enough for a day trip.
Do you need a reservation for the national parks near Kenmare?
None of them gate the entrance itself. 4 put a specific road, hike, or backcountry trip behind a permit or timed ticket — Voyageurs National Park Houseboat Permits, Yellowstone National Park Backcountry Permits, and Grand Teton National Park Backcountry Permits. These requirements are usually seasonal, so check the date you plan to arrive.
Where can you camp near Kenmare?
Recreation.gov lists 36 campgrounds at the national parks within reach of Kenmare. They are spread across 7 of those parks.
When is the best time to visit the parks near Kenmare?
For Theodore Roosevelt National Park, the closest one, generally May through October. Either side of that, April and early November stays quieter.