CCC shelter in Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Spring in Theodore Roosevelt National Park Photography Workshop

Join me in the spring for a Theodore Roosevelt National Park Photography Workshop. Theodore Roosevelt National Park is one of those parks that has light visitation, and if it wasn’t on an Interstate it’s unlikely it would see what it sees. Most visitors travel the South Unit’s loop road hoping to see wild horses, and then they head further west. By doing that, they miss the seeing the subtle beauty of the park. The park service divides the park into three units, but it feels like five. We’ll visit two units from three different entry points in order to photograph the most interesting parts of the park. During this time of year, the grasses still have that golden brown crispness and the cottonwood trees surrounding the Little Missouri River get that spring green as they leaf out. The animals have just calved and because it’s a slower time, they’re closer to the roads. Chilly mornings bring fog to the the river valley and spring wildflowers spot the hills. This countryside shaped President Roosevelt into the man he was, and you’ll see why as you photograph its many moods.

 

Dates: May 16 to 19, 2024

Cost: $899. A nonrefundable deposit of $450 is due at registration. The remainder is due 90 days before the workshop.

Bryan Hansel Photography is an authorized permittee of the National Park Service and operates under a Commercial Use Authorization from the National Park Service.

$899.00

SKU: Spring TRNP Photography Workshop Category: Tag:

Description

Theodore Roosevelt National Park Photography Workshop Itinerary

This Theodore Roosevelt National Park photography workshop is a destination workshop with the majority of time spent in the field. You’ll learn exposure techniques, compositional techniques and image interpretation. I’ll have plenty of time for one-on-one instruction with the small group size. This is the tentative itinerary. We’ll shoot landscapes and wildlife during this workshop, so it’s important to bring a wide range of lenses.

In May, the sun rises early and sets late. It rises at 5:12 am local time and sets at 8:30 pm local time. We’ll shoot most of the sunrises and sunsets, and spend most of the day in the field. We will keep the schedule flexible to take advantage of these types of situations as they arise.  We’ll try to be back in Medora for a breakfast and dinner, but our other meals will likely be in the park. The Badlands is a huge park and remote park, so be prepared to spend the entire day in the field and bring food.

While we’ll explore the park, there are plenty of other areas to explore. I suggest spending an extra day or two to do some of the historic drives in the area. I enjoyed traveling the Custer Trail.

Thursday

We will meet officially after breakfast at 10am for introductions. Then we will visit the park.

Friday
We’ll shoot the sunrise and golden hours of light before lunch. You may want to pack a breakfast with you. We’ll take a break during the middle of the day, and then we will meet up in the afternoon for field time and instruction.

Saturday
The day starts early with a morning session photographing the sunrise and then head back out into the field for a full-day adventure. This is likely the day that we’ll spend in the North Unit. Expect a long day. We may travel to Watford City to eat dinner.

Sunday
We assemble before sunrise in the lobby to head out for sunrise photography session and stay in the field until until the good light ends. The workshop ends after our sunrise session.

Additional Information

  • Maximum number of participants: 10
  • Level: This workshop is for all levels of photographers and works best for photographers using digital cameras.
  • Activity level: While not the most difficult of hikes on my workshops, the hike to the petrified forest is one of the longer hikes. Expect a 3-mile hike on moderate terrain. It’s amazing to see 60 million-year-old cypress trees so wide that you can’t reach completely around.
  • What’s included in the workshop fee: Quality small group and one-on-one instruction. Conference room for classroom time. Fun!
  • What’s not included in the workshop fee: Transportation to Grand Marais and photography locations. Carpooling is highly recommended. Lodging. Meals except for breakfast which is provided by the lodge.
  • Lodging partner: The lodging partner is within walking distance of downtown Medora. After you register, you’ll receive information about booking your room in the room block. You’ll need to make your room registration separately from the workshop fee.
  • Check-in date: May 15
  • Check-out date: May 19
  • Getting to Medora: Medora, North Dakota is a charming town nestled in the Badlands and is home to Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Getting there is easy with several transportation options available:
    • By Car: From the east: Medora is located on I-94. If you are driving from Bismarck, North Dakota, take I-94 west for about 130 miles. From the west: If you are coming from Montana, take I-94 east and follow the signs to Medora. From the south: If you are driving from South Dakota, take US-85 north and follow the signs to Medora.
    • By Air: The nearest major airport is Bismarck Airport (BIS), located approximately 135 miles east of Medora. Another option is Dickinson Theodore Roosevelt Regional Airport (DIK), located approximately 30 miles east of Medora. Car rentals are available at both airports.
    • By Train: The Empire Builder stops at several locations in northern North Dakota. Williston, North Dakota is the closest to Medora at about 130 miles away. I don’t know anyone who has done this for my workshops, but it could be an option.
  • Weather: The weather is perfect in the North Dakota Badlands in May. Highs average 68°F and lows average 48°F. Rain storms can and do happen in May.
  • Equipment list: After registration, you will receive a suggested equipment list and participant package. The package will discuss equipment options, photography techniques and more.
  • Registration and Cancellation Policies

Registration and Cancellation Policies

Related products