Cottonwood Campground, Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Little Missouri Badlands, North Dakota · 2,254 ft
Typical peak
Sep 21 – Sep 29
low confidence in typical timing.
Best light
Works at both ends of the day
Bottomland cottonwood lines the Little Missouri beneath badland buttes, in the South Unit five miles inside the Medora entrance. Golden cottonwoods contrast with banded clay and dark juniper.
Seasonal model estimate. Timing remains uncertain; check recent reports before traveling. Source: seasonal timing model. Calculated .
Crowds
moderate
Often busier by mid-morning; consider arriving at first light.
Getting there
The South Unit entrance is in Medora, off I-94 exits 24 and 27, about 133 miles west of Bismarck. The campground is five miles in and open year-round; a park entrance fee applies.
What turns here
- plains cottonwood
- green ash
- Rocky Mountain juniper
- American elm
Color progression
Typical peak Sep 25Typical color progression for Cottonwood Campground, Theodore Roosevelt National Park. No change from Aug 18 to Sep 4. First color from Sep 4 to Sep 13. Approaching peak from Sep 13 to Sep 21. Peak from Sep 21 to Sep 29. Past peak from Sep 29 to Oct 9. Bare from Oct 9 to Oct 23.
Leaves are typically down on Nov 1, 2026. Color starts around Sep 4.
This season so far
First frost
Oct 14
5 nights at or below 32°F since Aug 1.
Last 14 days
59°F / 36°F
Average daily high and low.
Modeled weather for these coordinates from the Open-Meteo historical archive, Aug 1 – Oct 31; not a station record. Reported peak is the median date of approved peak-color reports.
Plan the light
Cottonwood Campground, Theodore Roosevelt National Park on September 25, 2026, the center of its typical peak window.
| Event | Time |
|---|---|
| First light (blue hour) Sun 6° below horizon | 6:14 AM |
| Sunrise Rises E · 90° | 6:44 AM |
| Morning golden hour ends 40 min of low, warm light | 7:24 AM |
| Solar noon Highest sun, flattest light | 12:45 PM |
| Evening golden hour starts 40 min before sunset | 6:06 PM |
| Sunset Sets W · 269° | 6:46 PM |
| Last light (blue hour) Sun 6° below horizon | 7:16 PM |
Times in America/Denver · day length 12h 2m · computed from NOAA solar equations.
Local terrain can hide the sun; allow extra time to reach your viewpoint.
Which way to point the camera
Sun rises E, sets W.
Aim within 45° of the sun for translucent leaves. Turn your back to it for flat, accurate color.
Shooting conditions
Glassy water, wind blur, and what the cloud will do to your light.
Recent reports
What people actually saw here. Been recently? Add yours.