North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department

09/02/2026

As Labor Day weekend approaches, we want to say a thank you to our seasonal team members.

Our seasonal staff and campground hosts are often behind the scenes, making sure our parks are ready for the people who come to enjoy them. They’ve answered countless questions, cleaned up after busy weekends, and helped create the experiences and memories that keep visitors coming back!

To every seasonal employee and host who spent their summer with us, thank you for being part of the team and making North Dakota State Parks such special places to visit. We appreciate you!

09/01/2026

As we start a new month, we're saying goodbye to August with some of our favorite summer snapshots. Thank you to each and every one of you who spent time in a North Dakota State Park.

You can share your photos, too! We love to see the memories made.

08/27/2026

Are you ready for the star party? A deep partial lunar eclipse takes place Aug. 27-28, shining amidst late-summer constellations. Grab a blanket and get to a state park for the best views!

If you're near Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park, you can experience the Lights Out, Stars Out event today, Aug. 27, at 9 p.m. Our team and members of the Bismarck Astronomy Club will guide you through using telescopes, spotting constellations, identifying planets, and even exploring the craters of the moon. Telescopes and binoculars will be available, but feel free to bring your own.

You won't want to miss it!

08/26/2026

Public Notice: Due to ongoing construction at our Bismarck office, the office will be closed to the public until further notice.

Permits can be purchased online at parkrec.nd.gov or at any North Dakota state park. We apologize for the inconvenience and will let you know when the office reopens to the public.

Send a message to learn more

08/23/2026

Sunday reset: Breathe.

A calm, early morning walk + coffee & a picnic = recharged for a new week, especially when you do it all in a state park.

08/19/2026

See more by slowing down. Try this 3-step wildlife scan on your next visit: Look up. Look down. Listen.

Every pause is a chance to discover something new!

08/18/2026

The views are calling… Are you logging your hikes in OuterSpatial?

Log 6 hikes with 1 sunrise or sunset photo, and you'll complete our 2026 Summer Hiking Challenge!

08/17/2026

There are still plenty of opportunities to be a part of Wild Outdoor Women at Lake Metigoshe State Park. Registration for the fall event is open with spots left in a variety of activities!

08/12/2026

Summer at Cross Ranch State Park is our happy place.

- Book a stay in a cozy year-round yurt or cabin nestled right along the scenic riverbanks and old-growth cottonwoods.
- Explore 16 miles of bottomland forests and sprawling prairie bluffs.
- Rent a kayak or canoe directly from the park to cruise the river, or head into the adjacent 5,000-acre Nature Preserve to catch a glimpse of roaming bison.

📍: Center, North Dakota

08/11/2026

Last month, our team gathered at Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park with the Cashman family to plant a cottonwood tree in Carol Cashman's memory.

Carol passed away in May, but her legacy will continue to grow. Over the years, our parks have been enhanced by numerous trees from Cashman Nursery and Landscaping, creating beautiful spaces for visitors to enjoy while providing valuable habitat for wildlife.

We are grateful for the Cashman family’s longtime support and honored to help ensure Carol’s memory will be enjoyed for generations to come!