*2024 Dates Coming Soon!*
WILD LANDS WILD HORSES ADVENTURE
Are you seeking an adventure? Searching for an opportunity to connect with the wilds of Theodore Roosevelt National Park? Are you looking for a way to support a wild horse cause?
Here is your chance to find adventure, witness nature and her wild beauty, and help fundraise for a cause!
Experience the rugged and historic badlands.
Discover the language of wild horses!
Encounter abundant wildlife!
Be charmed by prairie flowers!
Listen to the songs of the winged ones!
Enjoy the peace of the wilds!
(Benefitting Wild Lands Wild Horses Fund)
2 Full Days in TRNP
Trip Donation Price: $3500
Fitness Level: Moderate
Lodging: 3 Nights Lodging *INCLUDED*
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Provided
Transportation: Included in the park.
Fly In/Out: Dickson County Municipal Airport or Bismarck Airport
*Airfare is NOT included*
*Courtesy pickup from Dickinson airport only.*
Park Fees: Included
Your workshop fee is tax deductible.
100% of the workshop fee will go to wild lands, wild horses fund 501(c)(3) non-profit, after expenses.
DATES:
*After you book we will send out a detailed email and questionnaire regarding the trip!
Refund Policy: Full adventure fee refund Before August 15th, minus credit card processing fees. After August 15th, 50% of the fee, minus credit card processing fees if we fill your vacated spot. After September 1st there will be no refund issued but an opportunity to go on next years trip.
Adventure Details!
Objective
To introduce you to TRNP’s incredible landscape! If you are a photographer, to seek opportunities to capture images of wild horses and other wildlife in their natural environment from a safe and respectful distance without impeding their natural day to day habits. Learn how to approach, how to ‘see’, how to find the light.
Not a photographer? Do you still want to experience the wilds and an incredible landscape? You are just as welcome to join us!
What you might see!
We will take you to the wild horses scattered over approximately 46,000 acres! We will show you beautiful landscapes and vistas and bump into bison, along with elk and deer and the comedians of the prairie, the prairie dogs. Not to be left out are the countless birds native to the area, and of course those hearty, colorful beauties—the prairie flowers.
What to Expect!
We will be photographing wild horses and other wild life along with landscapes from sunrise to sunset in the rugged badlands of Theodore Roosevelt National Park in Medora, ND.
To be in the park to capture sunrise, means leaving Medora a minimum of an hour prior to sunrise. Sunrise in September is approximately 6:30 am and sunset is at 7:10 pm mountain standard time.
Plan on being in the elements of nature from before sunrise to after sunset. We will be hiking from three to five miles per day in all types of weather, in rugged terrain so a comfortable fitness level is key along with good hiking boots (tennis shoes are not acceptable due to the amount of cactus in the park) and appropriate clothing, with layers to accommodate a temperature range of anywhere from freezing to 75 degrees plus. We can be assured of wind, lots of wind.
It is going to be late summer into early fall in the Badlands of TRNP! Expect and plan for anything!
Jamie and Deb
During hikes/shoots Jamie and Deb will suggest how to shoot, how to respectfully approach a wild horse, what is the best light, what behaviors to watch for, and more. We are available for any questions during the entire workshop.
Photographic Skill Level
Are you joining us as a photographer? From beginner to advanced photographers, we will do our best to meet your needs.
We will be sending out a questionnaire to determine your skill level and if need be, will assign tasks to enhance your camera skills prior to arriving in September.
Not a Photographer
We encourage anyone to join us who wants to experience a landscape filled with beautiful vistas, diverse wildlife, and of course those incredible wild horses!
Physical Requirements
All participants must be in good physical condition and have the ability to hike up to five miles or more, while carrying your camera equipment and other essentials over rugged terrain.
Group Size
Our intent is to keep the workshop group to three participants to maximize your adventure experience, to minimize the impact on wild life and wild horse behavior, and to allow us to move through the landscape with minimal disturbance.
Accommodation
Your accommodation is included in your workshop fee! Your accommodation covers you from when you arrive Thursday afternoon until you check out on Monday morning.
Welcome to the 70’s style, Custer’s Cottage! Each guest will have their own room, bedding and towels are all provided. We all have access to a full kitchen on the first level. There is a full bath on the first level. Along with access to laundry if needed!
It isn’t the Taj Mahal, but it is a fun, comfortable, and clean abode for creating lasting memories!
Travel
*Airfare is not included*
The closest airports are:
1. Dickinson-Theodore Roosevelt Regional Airport (Approx. 45 Minutes from the park)
2. Bismarck Airport (Approx. 2 Hours from the Park)
We suggest arriving in Medora on the Thursday afternoon before the Friday of your workshop weekend and departing on the Monday following your workshop weekend to maximize your time in the incredible badlands.
We will do courtesy pickups if you choose to fly into Dickinson. Guests flying into Bismarck to arrange their own transportation to Medora.
Transportation
Your transportation into the park and all park fees are included in your workshop fee!
To minimize traffic in the park and maximize our time, we will be traveling in one vehicle. Traveling in one vehicle also allows us to all share wild horse behavior tidbits, park history, and other helpful and hopefully entertaining stories!
Meals
Your meals are included in your workshop fee! We will be providing breakfast, lunch, and dinner on Friday, Saturday and Sunday!
We will be sending out a questionnaire, after you have registered, to find out any dietary needs.
Because we are in the park before dawn to capitalize on the morning light, we grab breakfast at the house, pack snacks and lunch with us in the event we have an epic day and decide not to drive back into Medora. Each day will be different, as we are driven by the opportunities that reveal themselves to us and the mercy of the weather.
We will have some energy snacks available, but recommend bringing your own energy snacks to sustain you for an entire day.
There is a C-Store in Medora that is well stocked with drinks, snacks, and other sundry essentials, oh and gift items!
We are providing limitless water and ice, and of course morning coffee!
For your evening meals (provided), we will be eating at the various restaurants in the quaint village of Medora! It is your chance to share stories, kick back, and enjoy the local atmosphere.
Bathroom
Often not talked about but on almost everyone’s mind, how do I go to the restroom in the park? There are three conventional options scattered throughout TRNP on or near the loop road.
While hiking, thank goodness there are trees!
Internet
Custer’s Cottage has internet service.
Price Includes
Meals, transportation in the park, park fee, accommodation at Custer’s Cottage arriving Thursday afternoon through Sunday night, checking out on Monday morning. Transportation to and from the Dickinson airport Thursday afternoon and Monday morning. Jamie and Deb’s photographic experience, hiking experience in the park, and learning wild horse behaviors.
Price Does Not Include
Airfare, transportation to and from the Bismarck airport, alcoholic beverages, snacks, and gratuities.
Misc
After both workshops are full, we will send out an introductory email to registered participants which will include:
Clothing Recommendations
Recommended Photographic Gear
Recommended Hiking Gear
Your Dietary Needs
Photographic Skill Level Questionnaire
Liability Release
Other pertinent information to ensure your workshop is enjoyable and fun.
“The trip with Deb and Jamie to explore and photograph TRNP was life-changing and SO special. Visuals of the sunrise outlining the wildlife in a beautiful soft light will be forever embedded in my mind, and I got the most beautiful photographs. There is nothing like seeing animals run free as they are meant to. Jamie and Deb are such a fun and incredible duo, not only are they laid back, funny and kind, but they are extremely passionate about horses and so talented at capturing them on camera. Because Deb knows the park so well we were able to hike to places most people never get to see and hang out with horse bands for the afternoon. Jamie and Deb were also so considerate and thoughtful of my dietary needs, and the accommodations were very homey and comfortable. To have everything included in the price of the workshop admission and know the fee is going to help horses in need, is a no brainer. Hands down one of the most spectacular experiences of my life. They have awakened a new love inside me for wildlife, photography and advocacy. Thank you both for all you do. ”
“I really enjoyed this wonderful experience and am looking forward to doing another adventure with Deb and Jamie, hopefully to Wyoming next year. We had a great experience with two fantastic photographers, Jamie and Deb patiently took time with us inexperienced photographers giving us tips and encouragement to shoot awesome photos, but they also took time with the experienced photographers to make sure they could up their game and get those frame worthy photos. They also showed us how to respectfully approach the wildlife so as not to spook or anger them, by keeping a safe distance between us. Deb and Jamie encouraged us to push our personal boundaries and to try new experiences. Would I do this again, without hesitation definitely YES! When do we go?”
“WildLands Wild Horses adventure-filled every expectation and more. Jamie and Deb picked us up from the airport, no matter the time we arrived. The accommodations were just as described, but were even better than I thought. The cabin was cozy and comfortable. My bed was fitted with cozy flannel sheets and was comfortable. Deb and Jamie stocked the pantry and fridge with every imaginable food based on dietary needs. Although the weather was wild, what else would you expect in wildlands, it really never affected our mission of searching out and photographing TRNP wild horses. Deb and Jamie catered to our needs to photograph every bison baby, find owls in trees, and scout the lands for coyotes, prairie dogs, deer, elk, pronghorns, and incredible scenery.. The best part to me was the wild horses of course. Jamie and Deb taught us how to approach and photograph while keeping our distance and not getting into their space. It was so peaceful to photograph wild horses in their space. Deb and Jamie’s perseverance to find every horse in the park led us on a few hikes, climbing under and over fences, hiking and walking, it was an adventure and fun, never a dull moment. I enjoyed the camaraderie of our group and the flexibility of Jame and Deb allowing us to set the pace. It was early mornings and late nights and lots of laughs. ”
Itinerary
*Itinerary may change
Highlights
Lots of Wildlife to see and photograph!
(Bison, Horses, Prairie Dogs, Coyotes, Eagles, Hawks, Porcupines, Deer, Elk)Diverse landscape
Observe and learn about the language of wild horses
Small Groups
Catered meals
Learn shooting tips from two pro photographers
Day 1
8:00 AM - Breakfast and Orientation
9:00 AM - 12:30 PM - Introduce the park and the loop road
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM - Lunch
1:30 PM - 3:00 PM - Scenic Hike
3:00 PM - Sunset: Look for horses and photograph them during the golden hour.
SUNSET: Head in for Dinner and load photos
Day 2
TBD
Day 3
TBD
