Western view: A look at Theodore Roosevelt National Park's North Unit
Darryl Pessa and Kathleen Warren enjoy the view of Theodore Roosevelt National Park south of Watford City where he proposed to her. Photo by Mike Vosburg / Forum Photo Editor
A warm sun cuts through hazy skies at Theodore Roosevelt National Park in July 2014. Photo by Mike Vosburg / Forum Photo Editor
A bison grazes in Theodore Roosevelt National Park's North Unit in July 2014. Photo by Mike Vosburg / Forum Photo Editor
Longhorn cattle graze in the North Unit of the Theodore Roosevelt National Park south of Watford City, N.D. Photo by Mike Vosburg / Forum Photo Editor
The sun sets over oil production as seen from the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park in July 2014. Photo by Mike Vosburg / Forum Photo Editor
A cannon ball concretion lies in the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park in July 2014. Photo by Mike Vosburg / Forum Photo Editor
Extra rain makes for an especially green park in the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park in July 2014. Photo by Mike Vosburg / Forum Photo EditorWATFORD CITY, N.D. - Theodore Roosevelt National Park is already known for an austere beauty and one would think that hazy skies would hamper the park’s photographic potential.
Even though the park was covered by a layer of smoke from forest fires in Canada during an early July visit, it is enjoying an unusually green summer.
A short tour through the park’s North Unit yielded the expected pictures of strange geologic formations and native wildlife.
But it also included a couple enjoying the landscape for a wedding proposal, a glimpse of the longhorn steer demonstration herd and unusual sunsets piercing the thick air.
Most visitors to the park never experience the North Unit. Instead, they visit Medora and the park’s South Unit due to its easy access from Interstate 94. These pictures offer sights rarely enjoyed beyond the local residents.