Rainbows and Horses in the Green Badlands

Rainbow Forming Over the Green Badlands of North Dakota, by Brenda Hildebrant-Messer

Rainbow Hugging the Horizon in the Badlands of North Dakota, by Brenda Hildebrant-Messer

Green Badlands in North Dakota!

The badlands of North Dakota, including Theodore Roosevelt National Park, are usually…..bad! That is, they are rugged and sometimes can seem lifeless in their starkness. But not this summer! Above average rainfall created lush green! Brenda Hildebrant-Messer photographed the south unit of the park and captured the beautiful green landscape.

Rain Approaching the Lush Green Badlands of North Dakota, by Brenda Hildebrant-Messer

Rainbows in the Badlands!

Along with frequent rains come frequent rainbows. They are a refreshing sight in the Beautiful Badlands of North Dakota.

Rainbow After the Rains in Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota by Brenda Hildebrant-Messer

Wild Horses of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota by Brenda Hildebrant-Messer

Wild Horses in Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Unique to the south unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park are wild roaming horses. They are the result of stray bands of horses which were not captured and removed from the park when it was fenced in 1954. Read about their fascinating history here: Horse Background and History

The horses are one of the main attractions of the park. You’ll find even more photos and insight about them here: Have You Visited the Free Roaming Horses of Theodore Roosevelt National Park?

Wild Horses Grazing in Theodore Roosevelt National Park as Rain Approaches, by Brenda Hildebrant-Messer

Two Wild Horses in Front of the Storm, Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota, by Brenda Hildebrant-Messer

Two Wild Horses in the Green Grasses of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota by Brenda Hildebrant-Messer

Horses Stepping Through Lush Green Grass in Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota by Brenda Hildebrant-Messer

Horses in Lush Green Grass at Theodore Roosevelt National Park, by Brenda Hildebrant-Messer

Thank You!

Thank you! to Brenda Hildebrant-Messer for sharing her photos. Do you have photos to share? Do you love to write about western North Dakota and eastern Montana? Let us know! Just message us on our Facebook page Beautiful Badlands ND.

More Photographs

Our Beautiful Badlands ND photographs are for sale at two of our favorite places, Amble Inn & Western Edge Books, Artwork Music in Medora, North Dakota and at the Long X Trading Post Visitor Center in Watford City, North Dakota. You can view and purchase hundreds of photographs online here: Those Badlands are Beautiful!

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Petrified Tree at the Long X Trading Post Visitor Center, Watford City, North Dakota

The best bookstore in the region is Medora’s Western Edge Books, Artwork & Music. It’s filled with both fiction and non fiction for all ages, and is a wealth of historical information about the area. Adjacent Amble Inn provides extra hospitable, moderately priced lodging, including hostel space.