South Unit Visitor Center & Upper Talkington Trail

We had one of those perfect day early may and headed off to the Theodore Roosevelt National Park, South Unit. Meeting a friend at the park we explored the visitor center while we waited.

The log cabin is open with the rooms decorated in the time era, giving you a chance to step back in time, with the exception of the divider glass and the few pieces that are clearly more recent =)

Visitor Center Education Space

Old Beef Processing Factory

Just west of the visitor center is a picnic area that was home to Medora's first beef processing plant, you can wander through remains of cold storage, loading areas and other such elements.

Baby Bison

After meeting up with a friend that drive to the trail head put us among a heard of bison who had several babes with them. Spring trips to the park are a must, with these cute little bison around.

Wild Horses

A highlight of our hike had to have been standing on a hill top looking at while horses looking across the field at a group of horseback riders(they were too spread out for the camera to capture).

Horseback Riders

Talkington Trail

Starting Point: East fence gate.

Exit towards "Fryburg" If you are heading west this will be the last exit before the park starts, about 4 miles before the rest area overlook. If you are heading east this will be the firs exit after the park ends, its one after the rest area overlook by about 4 miles.

Head north about 100feet and you will encounter a small parking area and a side road. It looks like a frontage road. Road name is fryburg road.

Take a left heading west, follow this as it curves north and turns into 136th/ government creek road. Go about 1 mile and look for a gate in the fence on the west(left) side. The earth will be built up so that you can pull in and park at this gate.

When I visited the gate was locked but had space for a person to squeeze through. A larger person may have to climb the fence.

Talkington Trail

The start of the trail is quite hard to distinguish since it is all grassland and rarely used. Head west through the grass and look for a brown marker that is about 6inches across and 4 feet tall. As you near the canyon the trail becomes more apparent.

The day that I hiked this trail I encountered two groups of horseback riders, about 6 people per group. 3 day hikers. 1 heard of bison totaling about 20. 1 prairie dog town, as marked on the map, a very vocal and timid community.

I hiked till I reached the scenic drive and than turned back. My advice on this trail is to bring plenty of water and wear closed toe shoes, the park has snakes. Otherwise its fairly straight forward and enjoyable to walk.