River Bend Overlook · National Park Service
There are many beautiful views in Theodore Roosevelt National Park, but perhaps none are better than the view from the shelter at River Bend Overlook. Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps circa 1937, this stone structure stands on the edge of a butte, providing a dramatic view of the Little Missouri River valley below. It also serves as a tangible example of the projects created by the CCC on the land that would eventually become Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The CCC had 3 camps that worked on projects like this shelter in the park from 1934 to 1941. The shelter itself was made by hand-hewn local sandstone qaurried by the CCC. While you enjoy the view from this shelter, reflect on these words from a badlands CCC veteran on the occasion of the CCC’s 50th anniversary: “You learned how to live with other men, you learned self-esteem…you learned about yourself.”