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Cross Ranch State Park

Activities

Amphitheater Programs

Amphitheater programs are held each Friday and Saturday night throughout the summer, starting at 9:30 p.m. Information is posted on the campground bulletin boards.

2009 Special Events

February 14 – Winter Festival 1-8 pm.  Cross Country skiing & snowshoeing, including candlelight skiing at dark along a portion of the groomed ski trails, horse drawn sleigh rides, games, snacks & beverage provided.

May 2 & 3 – Cross Ranch birding weekend.  Guided bird hikes and programs on birds.  More information available at later time.

May 25 – Military appreciation Day. 

June 6  - National Trails Day is a nationally recognized event to encourage people to get out and hike your local trails.  Whether you are an avid hiker or someone who just likes to get out, do some leisurely walking, and just be outdoors, Cross Ranch has enough trails and sites for whatever your interest level maybe.  Take advantage of your opportunity to come check out Cross Ranch State Park and experience the many miles of hiking, cross country skiing, and snowshoeing trails the park has to offer.

June 6 – Visitor Appreciation Day.  Vehicle entrance fee waived.

June 19-20 –19th Annual Missouri River Bluegrass Festival featuring the High 48s. Performances also by Spiritwood Creek, New Horizon, Stoney Run, Simple Infant Men, and more.  Kids Fest will also take place during the festival with activities Friday evening, Saturday afternoon, and Saturday evening.

July 17-19 – Wild West Weekend.  For more information click on the link.

August 14-16 and 21-23 – Lewis & Clark Weekend.  Click on link for more information.

December 12 – Holiday Trim-a-Tree.  Click on link for more informaton.

Interpretive Activities

Weekend interpretive activities, including hikes, campfire programs and Dakota Explorers, are held every weekend during the summer. Information is posted on the campground bulletin boards.

May 22-24 – MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND
Friday, May 22

  • Common Birds of North Dakota. It is Spring here at Cross Ranch and the bird migration is underway. Ever wonder what the more common birds here are? Meet CRSP Interpreter Chip Cartwright at the Amphitheater near the River Peoples Visitor Center for a presentation on the 15 most likely to be seen birds at this time of the year. Learn to identify them by sight and sound.

Saturday, May 23

  • Lewis and Clark on the Missouri Nature Hike.  Take a little trek back in time with CRSP Interpreter Chip Cartwright. Meet at the River Peoples Visitor Center for an easy 1-½ mile storytelling stroll of the adventures of the Corps of Discovery on the Missouri River.
  • The Journey of Lewis and Clark.  Journey back in time 200 years ago with the members of the Corps of Discovery as they search for the fabled “Northwest Passage”.  This an overall view of the trip with an excellent video presentation. Meet at the Amphitheater near the River Peoples Visitor Center.

Sunday, May 24

May 29th-31st  Have a Treemendous Weekend
Friday, May 29th

  • The Learning Tree.  Check out this cool cottonwood and its many surprises! Meet inside the River Peoples Visitor Center to explore the Learning Tree with CRSP Interpreter Laura Kohn and discover a tree’s many functions.
  • Tree ID Hike.  Learn your trees with CRSP Interpreter Laura Kohn. Meet at the River Peoples Visitor Center for a nice 1 ½ mile stroll through the trees.

Saturday, May 30th

  • “The Lorax.”  Why are trees important? How are they used? Enjoy and discuss Dr. Seuss’s book “The Lorax” with a bag of popcorn and CRSP Interpreter Laura Kohn at the Amphitheater.

Sunday, May 31st

  • Coffee and Conversation.  Stumped? Meet at the River Peoples Visitor Center to talk about it with CRSP Staff over a warm cup of coffee. We’ll bring the coffee, you bring the conversation.

June 5th-7th  
Friday, June 5th

  • The World of Bats.  Come fly with us as we look into the world of the Bat.  Meet at the Amphitheater near the River Peoples Visitor Center for a view into the mysterious nocturnal world of one of nature’s most misunderstood creatures.

Saturday, June 6th  (National Trails Day)

  • National Trails Day Hike.  Come join us as we take a guided hike for health on one of CRSP’s forest trails. Plan on a 90 minute moderate pace hike. CRSP interpreter Chip Cartwright will discuss the techniques, equipment, and benefits of open air walking. Wear your favorite walking shoes and bring water too. Meet at the River Peoples Visitor Center.
  • Things That Crawl.  Join CRSP Interpreter Chip Cartwright and explore the world of ticks. You may have given these a ride with the morning hike.  Discover the true facts about this pest and how to deal with it. Meet at the Amphitheater near the River Peoples Visitor Center.

Sunday, June 7th

  • Coffee and Conversation.  Meet the CRSP Staff for a warm discussion of nature, fun facts, and other cool stuff at the River Peoples Visitor Center.  We will bring the coffee, you bring the conversation.

June 12th-14th  
Friday, June 12th

  • Sorry, no Program.

Saturday, June 13th

  • Water Cycle Game.  Have fun while being part of the water cycle! Meet CRSP Interpreter Laura Kohn at the River Peoples Visitor Center to play this fun game.
  • Severe Weather.  Where do tornadoes come from? How is hail made? Storm over to the Amphitheater to learn the answers to all of these questions with CRSP Interpreter Laura Kohn.

Sunday, June 14th

  • Coffee and Conversation.  Meet the CRSP Staff for a warm discussion of nature, history, and other cool stuff in the River Peoples Visitor Center.  We will bring the Coffee. You bring the Conversation.

June 19th-21st  Bluegrass Festival
Friday, June 19th

  • In addition to star studded music entertainment at the CRSP Band Shell, Kid’s entertainment featuring Wild Animal Pelts for touching is scheduled in the classroom at the River Peoples Visitor Center.

Saturday, June 20th

  • Nature Hike.  Join CRSP Interpreter Chip Cartwright on a 1 hour nature guided hike of the River Trail.  Who knows what we might find? Meet at the River Peoples Visitor Center.
  • Kid’s Fest.  Come play with us.  Join us for Kid games and crafts while the music festival is in progress.  Meet at the Amphitheater near the River Peoples Visitor Center. It is recommended that children needing assistance bring their parents.
  • In addition to star studded music entertainment at the CRSP Band Shell, Kid’s entertainment on Beavers is scheduled in the classroom at the River Peoples Visitor Center.

Sunday, June 21st  (Father’s Day)

  • Coffee and Conversation.  Meet the CRSP Staff for a warm discussion of music nature, history and other cool stuff in the River Peoples Visitor Center.  We will bring the Coffee and Cookies. You bring the Conversation.

June 26th-27th  Great American Campout Weekend
Friday, June 26th

  • Storytelling 1 of 2.  Anyone can tell a story. Learn how to tell stories and hear some great ones too.  CRSP Interpreter and Storyteller Chip Cartwright will share the secrets. Meet at the Amphitheater near the River Peoples Visitor Center.

Saturday, June 27th  (5th Annual Great American Backyard Campout)

  • Nature Hike.  Join CRSP Interpreter Chip Cartwright on a 1 hour nature guided hike of the cottonwoods of Cross Ranch.  Meet at the River Peoples Visitor Center.
  • Storytelling 2 of 2.  Share your stories. CRSP Interpreter Chip Cartwright will take turns with you in storytelling. Younger and older campers are welcome to tell their tales. Meet at the Amphitheater near the River Peoples Visitor Center.

Sunday, June 28th

  • Coffee and Conversation.  Meet the CRSP Staff for a further conversation on storytelling at the River Peoples Visitor Center.  We will bring the Coffee, you bring the Conversation.

July 3rd-5th  Independence Day Weekend
Friday, July 3rd

  • Animal Facts.  Join CRSP Interpreter Laura Kohn at the Amphitheater to learn amazing facts about animals around the world, including those that live in your back yard.

Saturday, July 4th  (Independence Day)

  • Nature Games.  Play Bird Bingo, Oh Deer!, Migration Headache, and more! Meet CRSP Interpreter Laura Kohn at the River Peoples Visitor Center.
  • Say What?  We can communicate with each other by talking, making faces, or moving our hands, but how do birds communicate? Or underwater animals? Learn how animals communicate with CRSP Interpreter Laura Kohn at the Amphitheater.

Sunday, July 5th

  • Coffee and Conversation.  Meet the CRSP Staff for a warm discussion of nature, history, and other cool stuff at the River Peoples Visitor Center.  We will bring the Coffee, you bring the Conversation.

July 10th-12th  Wild Animals of the Forest
Friday, July 10th

  • The Grizzly Bear.  This creature is at the top of his food chain or is he? Can these bears live in North Dakota? Answer these questions with CRSP Interpreter Chip Cartwright as he explores the world of the grizzly bear.  Meet at the Amphitheater near the River Peoples Visitor Center.

Saturday, July 11th

  • Nature Hike.  Join CRSP Interpreter Chip Cartwright on a 1-1/2 hour guided hike as we search for and identify wild animal tracks on the trails of the Forest. What might we find? Meet at the Amphitheater Near the River Peoples Visitor Center.
  • Here Kitty, Kitty.  The Mountain lion. Discover the facts about this cat. Explore with CRSP Interpreter Chip Cartwright the behaviors, physical characteristics, and habits of this animal that is at the top of the food chain. Meet at the Amphitheater near the River Peoples Visitor Center.

Sunday, July 12th

  • Coffee and Conversation.  Meet the CRSP Staff for a further conversation on the wild animals of the forest at the River Peoples Visitor Center.  We will bring the Coffee, you bring the Conversation.

July 17th-19th  Wild West Weekend: This is the 2nd annual event to celebrate the history and spirit of the Cowboy and the “Old West”.
Friday, July 17th

  • Stick Pony Rodeo.  Saddle up for a variety of kid friendly rodeo activities. Barrel racing, roping, stick horse judging, best dressed young cowboy and cowgirl events to be featured.  Meet at the “Rodeo Arena” near the River Peoples Visitor Center.
  • Explore the days of yesteryear with Old time theater presentations. Wear your best cowboy/cowgirl outfits. Awards will be given. Meet at the Amphitheater near the River Peoples Visitor Center.

Saturday, July 18th

  • Stick Pony Rodeo, Wagon Rides, Cowboy Crafts. Meet at the “Rodeo Arena” near the River Peoples Visitor Center.
  • Demonstration Frontier Cowboy Dutch Oven cooking, Frontier Living History Presentations and reenactments. Travel back to the Days of the Dakota Territory where the Outlaws met the Lawmen often in gunfights, Black Cowboys rode the trails, and the women were just as tough as the men. Meet at the “Rodeo Arena” near the River Peoples Visitor Center.
  • Western music Sing Along.  Join Cowboy “Dakota” for a western music sing-a-long and boot stomping.  Meet at the Band Shell near the River Peoples Visitor Center.
  • Meet Buffalo Bill Cody at the Amphitheater near the River Peoples Visitor Center. He is looking for a few good people.

Sunday, July 19th

  • Cowboy Coffee and Conversation.  Meet at the “Rodeo Area” for genuine Cowboy Dutch oven sweets, coffee, and further discussions of “the Old West”. Bring your own bacon.           

July 24th-26th  Celebrating The Nature Conservancy
Friday, July 24th

  • American Bison (Bison Bison).  Ever noticed the bison across the road? Did you know they used to roam the Great Plains in the thousands then almost disappeared? Learn a thing or two about these unique animals at the Amphitheater with CRSP Interpreter Laura Kohn.

Saturday, July 25th

  • Take the Path Less Traveled.  Join CRSP Interpreter Laura Kohn on a trail into The Nature Conservancy’s Preserve to view the prairie flowers, bison, and grassland birds.  Wear sunscreen, bring water, and wear comfortable shoes.
  • The Nature Conservancy.  Join CRSP Interpreter Laura Kohn at the Amphitheater to learn about TNC’s Cross Ranch Nature Preserve. Be enlightened on TNC’s current projects, plus get a little background on our history with TNC.

Sunday, July 26th

  • Coffee and Conversation.  Learn more about CRSP’s history with TNC while drinking a cup of coffee with CRSP staff. Join us at the River Peoples Visitor Center—we’ll bring the coffee, you bring the conversation.

July 31st-August 2nd
Friday, July 31st

  • Flying Pest.  Join CRSP Interpreter Chip Cartwright as we explore the world of yellow jackets, bees, hornets and mosquitoes. Discover the true facts about these pests and how to deal with them. Meet at the Amphitheater near the River Peoples Visitor Center.

Saturday, August 1st

  • Nature Hike.  Join CRSP Interpreter Chip Cartwright on a 1 hour nature guided hike of Biting Pest habitat.  Learn how to minimize the danger of these insect pests. Meet at the River Peoples Visitor Center.
  • Cross Ranch Birthday Party.  It’s our Birthday and you are invited. Join Park Manager Eric Lang at the River Peoples Visitor Center as we celebrate our 20th Birthday. Cupcakes and Kool-Aid for all.
  • Mother Nature’s baby animals are often weird and wacky just like kooky kids. Come and view these funny wildlife children’s behaviors on our movie screen. Meet at the Amphitheater near the River Peoples Visitor Center.

Sunday, August 2nd  

  • Coffee and Conversation.  Meet the CRSP Staff for a warm discussion of “Did you Know” nature, fun Facts and other cool stuff at the River Peoples Visitor Center.  We will bring the Coffee, you bring the Conversation.

August 7th-9th  “Transport” Yourself Back in Time
Friday, August 7th

  • Sanger’s Past.  Changes in the way we travel caused Sanger to become a ghost town. Float to the Amphitheater and transport yourself back in time with CRSP Interpreter Laura Kohn.

Saturday, August 8th

  • Canoeing Basics and Safety.  Meet CRSP Interpreter Laura Kohn at the River Peoples Visitor Center to learn how to canoe like those before us on the Missouri.
  • Row, Row, Row Your Boat.  Have a bag of popcorn and join CRSP Interpreter Laura Kohn at the Amphitheater to learn about Missouri River travel past and present.

Sunday, August 9th

  • Coffee and Conversation.  Meet the CRSP Staff at the River Peoples Visitor Center.  We will bring the Coffee, you bring the Conversation.

August 14th-16th Lewis and Clark Weekend
Friday, August 14th

  • A Man Called York.  Who was this slave that accompanied Lewis and Clark on their journey to the Pacific and back?  Join CRSP Interpreter Chip Cartwright for a historical portrayal of this expedition member. Meet at the Amphitheater near the River Peoples Visitor Center.

Saturday, August 15th

  • Lewis and Clark Historical Hike.  Join CRSP Interpreter Chip Cartwright on a retrace of the Journey’s tracks along the Missouri. Meet at the River Peoples Visitor Center.
  • Seaman the Wonder Dog.  This was the only dog on the Journey that walked, swam and floated his way to the Pacific and back.  Join CRSP Interpreter Chip Cartwright as he explores the behaviors and characteristics of this amazing four legged member of the Expedition. Meet at the Amphitheater near the River Peoples Visitor Center.

Sunday, August 16th

  • Coffee and Conversation.  Meet the CRSP Staff for a further discussion of the “Journey of Lewis and Clark” at the River Peoples Visitor Center.  We will bring the Coffee, you bring the Conversation.

August 21st-23rd  Lewis and Clark continued
Friday, August 21st

  • Lewis and Clark: The Sergeants.  The officers may have developed the plans but it was the non commissioned officers that made them happen.   Who they were and where they came from will be presented by CRSP Interpreter Chip Cartwright. Meet at the Amphitheater near the River Peoples Visitor Center.

Saturday, August 22nd 

  • Historical Hike with Facts and tales of L&C in North Dakota.Meet CRSP Interpreter Chip Cartwright at the River Peoples Visitor Center.
  • The other lesser know men of the Expedition. Who they were, where they came from, and what happened to them after the journey, will be presented by CRSP Interpreter Chip Cartwright. Meet at the Amphitheater near the River Peoples Visitor Center.

Sunday, August 23rd 

  • Coffee and Conversation.  Meet the CRSP Staff for a further discussion of the “Journey of Lewis and Clark” at the River Peoples Visitor Center.  We will bring the Coffee, you bring the Conversation.

August 28-30 Seeing Stars

Friday, August 28

  • Come to the band shell and jam out to The Special Consensus, a bluegrass band.

Saturday, August 29

  • Sunsational!  Did you know that the sun is a star?  Cover this and other hot topics at the River People’s Visitor Center with CRSP Interpreter Laura Kohn.
  • It’s All Greek to Me!  Greek mythology tells the story of many constellations, but Native Americans have their own story. Sit down with CRSP Interpreter Laura Kohn and a bag of popcorn at the Amphitheater to hear both sides of the story.

Sunday, August 30

8 AM-10 AM – Coffee and Conversation

  • Meet the CRSP Staff for a further conversation on the sun, moon, and stars at the River Peoples Visitor Center.  We will bring the Coffee, you bring the Conversation.

September 4-7 Labor Day Weekend

Friday, September 4

  • Nature Jeopardy.  Test your nature knowledge and win a prize at the Amphitheater with CRSP Interpreter Laura Kohn.

 

Saturday, September 5

  • Nature Hike.  Meet CRSP Interpreter Laura Kohn at the River Peoples Visitor Center to talk trees, history, and wildlife on our 1 ½ mile trail.
  • The Ghost Town of Sanger.  Come to the Amphitheater and transport yourself back in time with CRSP Interpreter Laura Kohn to the Boom and Bust of Sanger.

Sunday, September 6

  • Coffee and Conversation.  Meet with the CRSP Staff and discuss your weekend over a cup of coffee at the River Peoples Visitor Center.  We will bring the Coffee, you bring the Conversation.

Monday, September 7

  • A Walk in the Prairie.  Take a 2 miles hike outside of the park to view plants and birds of the prairie. Meet CRSP Interpreter Laura Kohn at the River Peoples Visitor Center and head to The Nature Conservancy’s trail.

September 11th-13th  
Friday, September 11th

  • “A Frontier Soldiers Life”. What really was life like for a soldier in Dakota Territory. Meet CRSP interpreter Chip Cartwright at the Visitor Center Amphitheater for a show and tell. Popcorn rations provided for all recruits, 8 p.m.

Saturday, September 12th

  • The Buffalo Soldier.  CRSP Interpreter Chip Cartwright will present a historical portrayal of a 10th Cavalry soldier from the Dakota Territory. Meet at the Amphitheater near the River Peoples Visitor Center, 8 p.m.