Home

Bismarck, ND – The North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department (NDPRD) Recreational Trails Program (RTP) received 15 applications totaling $2 million in project grant requests. The RTP has allocated approximately $1 million to award through the Federal Highway Administration.

Bismarck, ND – The North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department (NDPRD) has awarded 22 projects as part of its Park System Grant Program, a 50/50 matching grant program available to city, county and tribal park systems.

Bismarck, ND – With the goal to support North Dakota artists in creating art that showcases the beauty and inspiration within our state parks, the ND Parks & Recreation Department and ND Council on the Arts have selected three artists for the 2023 Artist in Residency Program.

Bismarck, ND – The North Dakota Parks & Recreation Department announces the Park System Renovation Grant (PSGP) opening June 5. This is a 50/50 matching grant that is available to city, county, and tribal park systems. The grant application cycle will be open until July 16, 2023. The PSGP provides grants for recreation projects such as ball fields, pools, campgrounds, playgrounds, and other recreation facilities utilized to support local park systems.

BISMARCK, N.D. – The Pembina Gorge State Recreation Area (PGSRA) will be developed into North Dakota’s 14^th state park with funding secured by the North Dakota Parks & Recreation Department (NDPRD) during the 2023 legislative session, Gov. Doug Burgum announced today.

The North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department (NDPRD), in partnership with the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, is highlighting the importance of stopping the spread of Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) during the week of May 14-20. ANS Awareness Week is intended to further educate visitors on the potential risk to public health, property and the economy from the negative impacts associated with ANS.  

The North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department (NDPRD) is seeking trail project applications for the Recreational Trails Program (RTP) starting Monday, April 3, 2023. The RTP is an 80/20 matching grant program that provides funding for both motorized and non-motorized recreational trail projects.

North Dakota law requires public access to snowmobile trails to close between April 1 and Nov. 1. The North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department (NDPRD) will close all department snowmobile trails, including leased access across private property.

Bismarck, ND – A new video series showcases the beauty, history and ecosystems of the many trails in North Dakota. In each YouTube video, the North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department’s state trails coordinator takes the viewer along to give an authentic glimpse of what state parks and other trail systems offer for outdoor recreation.

Bismarck, ND – The North Dakota Parks & Recreation Department and the North Dakota Council on the Arts are accepting applications for the Artist in Residency program. Artists of all disciplines are encouraged to apply. 

Bismarck, ND – Governor Doug Burgum has declared February 2023 as Winter Recreation Month in North Dakota. The North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department (NDPRD) invites the public to join in celebrating all the winter activities and programs offered to North Dakota citizens and communities. 

Bismarck, ND – The North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department (NDPRD) is soliciting applications for approximately $1 million of Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grants to be awarded to eligible projects in North Dakota communities. 

For over a decade, North Dakota Council on the Arts (NDCA) has partnered with the North Dakota Parks & Recreation Department (NDPRD) to host 33 North Dakota-based artists in residence at nine different state parks. Beginning on January 3 through April 25, most of the pieces donated since the program’s inception in 2009 will be on display in the Exhibition Gallery on the 18th floor of the North Dakota State Capitol.

Bismarck, ND – A new video series is bringing attention to the impact of the North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department (NDPRD) grant program that fund trails, playgrounds, maintenance equipment and various other needs at parks and communities throughout North Dakota.  

Bismarck, ND – Each year, the North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department (NDPRD) Recreation Trails Program (RTP) awards approximately $1 million of grants through the Federal Highway Administration to various outdoor recreation projects throughout North Dakota. NDPRD and the RTP Advisory Committee selected the Hunter/Arthur Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) Park Board request for funding to convert an abandoned railway corridor that connects the two communities into a non-motorized trail system named Northern Cass Pass. Since 2014, the project has been awarded $646,569.66 and was fully completed this fall. 

Bismarck, ND – Each year, the North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department (NDPRD) Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) awards 50/50 matching grants through the US Department of Interior, National Park Service to various outdoor recreation projects throughout North Dakota. In 2020, NDPRD selected the City of Ellendale Park Board’s request for $75,000 to renovate the 38-year-old existing baseball grandstand.   

The Artist in Residency Program is a partnership between the ND Parks & Recreation Department and the ND Council on the Arts where artists are chosen to spend 7 or 10 days in a North Dakota state park. Its goal is to support North Dakota artists in creating art that showcases the beauty and inspiration of the hosting state park while providing opportunities for visitors to develop artistic skills and a deeper appreciation of the park-inspired artwork and the parks themselves.

The North Dakota Parks & Recreation Department (NDPRD) has selected 16 local Park District Facility Renovation applications for funding. During the 67th Legislative Assembly Special Session, Senate Bill 2345 established a $5 million local park district facility renovation grant utilizing federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to assist local communities in renovating and upgrading their existing outdoor recreation facilities.

The North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department is opening the Recreation Trails Program (RTP) grant cycle from April 1 – April 29, 2022. The RTP is an 80/20 matching grant program that provides funding for motorized and non-motorized recreational trail projects. This program is administered at the state level through the North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department with guidance from the Recreational Trails Program Advisory Council (RTPAC), and federally through the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).  

The North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department (NDPRD) has extended the Park District Facility Renovation Grant application window and project completion suspense.  

The North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department announces the Park District Facility Renovation Grant (PDFRG) opening on January 3, 2022. This 50% matching grant is available to local park districts for renovation, upgrade and/or repair of existing facilities. The grant application cycle will be open until January 31, 2022. 

North Dakota State Park annual permit holders will find a new option available to them this year. During the 67th Legislative Assembly, a bill was passed to allow members of the same household to buy two annual permits at a discounted price. This new option, the family permit, is now available for $55.  

BISMARCK, N.D. (SEPT. 20, 2021) – Gov. Doug Burgum today appointed Cody Schulz to lead the North Dakota Department of Parks and Recreation, citing his extensive record of public service and strong leadership at the state and county levels, including through some of the most challenging periods in recent state history.

The North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department (NDPRD) is soliciting applications for the FY21 Land and Water Conservation Fund starting Wednesday, September 1 through Thursday, September 30, 2021.   

North Dakota Parks & Recreation Department continues to keep up with changing visitor needs and industry trends through master planning processes.  This process provides an opportunity for stakeholders, park users and park managers to provide input and guidance to future development of state park properties.  This week the Lewis & Clark State Park master plan was signed by Andrea Travnicek, Director of the North Dakota Parks & Recreation Department. This plan will set the course for the next ten years of park development, and potential improvements and advancements at Lewis & Clark State Park.

The North Dakota State Parks & Recreation Department (NDPRD) has published the draft 2021 Fort Stevenson State Park Master Plan for a 30-day public comment period ending on August 30, 2021. 

The North Dakota Parks & Recreation Department (NDPRD) announces seven trail projects across North Dakota that have received grant funding from the Recreation Trails Program (RTP). NDPRD received 18 applications totaling approximately $3,098,400 in grant fund requests during the last grant round. The projects selected for funding are: 

Paul Taylor, deputy director of Parks and Recreation, has been appointed interim director effective Aug. 1. Taylor brings a strong background in park planning, design, and construction, most recently serving as chief of park planning and development for the Maryland National Capital Park & Planning Commission. Applications for the Parks and Recreation director will be accepted beginning July 30.

BISMARCK, ND – The North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department saw increased visitation in 2020 with 1.29 million visitors to the state parks and continues to maintain high visitation this year. While COVID-19 had certainly prompted increased travel, results of surveys conducted by the Department show that increase was on top of an already loyal and growing visitor base to North Dakota’s state parks. When looking ahead to future travel, 74.6% of visitor survey respondents indicated that they plan to visit a North Dakota state park within the next 12 months. At the time of the survey, COVID-19 had little influence on respondents’ future plans with only 9.8% indicating their plans to visit were prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic.  
 

BISMARCK, N.D. – The North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) and North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department (NDPRD) have partnered to replace and install various signs to promote recreational opportunities across the state. This project is designed to increase visibility of North Dakota state parks and help guide visitors to parks and recreational areas.  

The North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department and the State Historical Society of North Dakota are excited to announce the North Dakota Passport. The goal of the new program is to help residents and out-of-state travelers make the most of their visits to recreational and historical sites throughout the state. This program is similar to other programs at state and national levels that have been popular among travelers. The North Dakota Passport is an all-in-one guide to adventure as users collect stamps at 37 featured destinations, varying from state parks and recreation areas to state historic sites and museums. All 37 locations have a designated outdoor Passport Station where users can transfer the stamp with a crayon. Additionally, staffed locations have a stamp available in park offices, visitor centers, or museums.

The Artist in Residency program is a partnership between the North Dakota Parks & Recreation Department and the North Dakota Council on the Arts, where three artists are chosen to each spend one week in a North Dakota State Park. The Artist in Residency program offers artists the opportunity to stay and work in unique environments where they’ll draw inspiration from a North Dakota State Park, demonstrate their skills, and assist park visitors of all ages discover their artistic side. This is the 11th year these state agencies have collaborated on this program. To date, 11 of the North Dakota State Parks have hosted over 25 local artists.  

National Invasive Species Awareness Week (NISAW) raises awareness about invasive species, the threat they pose, and what can be done to prevent their spread. The term "invasive" is used for aggressive species that grow and reproduce rapidly, displace native species, and cause significant disturbance to the areas in which they are present. 

The North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department is opening the Recreation Trails Program (RTP) grant cycle May 3 – May 31. The RTP is an 80/20 matching grant program that provides funding for motorized and non-motorized recreational trail projects. This program is administered at the state level through the North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department with guidance from the Recreational Trails Program Advisory Council (RTPAC), and federally through the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). New this year, the applications have been moved to a new online platform, Web Grants.  

Mark your calendars! The North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department (NDPRD) is developing the master plan for Fort Stevenson State Park. The Department is excited to host this virtual open house that provides an update on the status of the planning process for Fort Stevenson State Park. We value the opinion and input of our citizens and park users, and we want to get your feedback and thoughts.

The North Dakota Parks & Recreation Department wants to remind visitors to recreate safely during high fire danger conditions. The safety of the public and protection of the land, resources and facilities is the department's top priority.   

The North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department recently completed an asset inventory project for its 15 destination properties. During the 2018-2022 strategic planning process, the agency identified the need to inventory all the park system assets. This project came to fruition due to funds provided in the 66th Legislative Assembly.

Today, Tuesday, February 16, 2021, the North Dakota State Parks & Recreation Department (NDPRD) published the draft Lewis & Clark State Park Master Plan for a 30-day public comment period ending on March 18, 2021.

The North Dakota Parks & Recreation Department had their highest number of campers recorded in the department's history during the 2020 season. The department saw a 35 percent increase in campsite nights this season compared to the 2019 season. The increase in camping was a trend in the 13 state parks across the state, all of which were open and operating under CDC guidelines as destinations for visitors to safely recreate in an outdoor environment.

PUBLIC NOTICE

Mark your calendars!

The North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department is developing a master plan for Lewis & Clark State Park. The Department values the opinion of its citizens and park users and wants to get feedback and thoughts.

The North Dakota Parks & Recreation Department received 17 Recreation Trails Program (RTP) grant applications totaling $1,595,553.82 in project fund requests in the last grant round. The RTP grant program was allocated approximately $1 million for the fiscal year 2020 through the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to award across the state. The RTP Advisory Committee ranked and selected 13 of the 17 projects that were allocated funding this year. Grants Coordinator Char Binstock noted this is the largest number of projects that have been funded through this program in one fiscal year.  

The North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department (NDPRD) is seeking applicants for the Recreational Trails Program Advisory Committee (RTPAC).  The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) is an 80/20 matching grant program that provides funding for motorized and non-motorized recreational trail projects.  The RTP is administered at the state level through the NDPRD and federally through the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).

The North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department (NDPRD) is soliciting preliminary applications for the FY20 Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) through October 29, 2020.  The purpose for a preliminary application is for eligible grant sponsors to outline potential projects and have them reviewed by NDPRD before the full application process which will open on November 2, 2020. Application can be found here!

A new, expanded volunteer program through the North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department now offers individuals and groups the opportunity to volunteer their time and talents to impact our state parks. Whether you're interested in helping with vehicle or trail maintenance projects or volunteering in the visitor center, a meaningful volunteer experience can be tailored to your special skill set. The program's goal is to cultivate partnerships between community members and park staff as they work together for the betterment of their parks and individual and community well-being.  

The North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department is holding a free off-highway vehicle (OHV) youth safety course near Grand Forks at Turtle River State Park on Thursday, August 20, at 10:00 am.  Learn more here. 

The North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department is holding a free off-highway vehicle (OHV) youth safety course in Dickinson at the Stark County Fairgrounds on Wednesday, August 5, at 10:00.

The North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department is holding an off-highway vehicle (OHV) youth safety course in Bismarck at the Missouri Valley Fairground Complex on Thursday, July 23, at 10:00 am.

The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) Advisory Committee (RTPAC) will have a pre-application virtual meeting on Wednesday, July 8, 2020, at 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm to discuss the recent RTP application round and Title VI. RTPAC Board Members, RTP Applicants, and the public are welcome to join for an overview of the program. Until further notice, all meetings will be held virtually through a Live Microsoft Teams Meeting. The live stream and video recordings will be available at https://www.parkrec.nd.gov/business/grants/recreation-trails-program.

BISMARCK, N.D. – Gov. Doug Burgum today appointed Andrea Travnicek to lead the North Dakota Department of Parks and Recreation, citing her extensive leadership experience and long history of resource management at the local, state and federal levels.

Bismarck – The North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department is canceling all in person OHV youth safety classes through May 21 but reminds residences an online safety course is available year-round. The online class can be accessed by visiting www.parkrec.nd.gov. OHV operators ages 12 and older must possess an OHV Safety Certification or a driver’s license to legally operate on public land, including ditches and state OHV trails.

Recreation Trails Program Grant Cycle Opening Soon

The North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department is set to open the Recreation Trails Program (RTP) grant cycle May 1 – May 29. The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) is an 80/20 matching grant program that provides funding for both motorized and non-motorized recreational trail projects. The RTP is administered at the state level through the North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department with guidance from the Recreational Trails Program Advisory Council (RTPAC), and federally through the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). 

It is that time of year that we need to inform riders the end of our snowmobile season is rapidly approaching.  North Dakota law closes public access to snowmobile trails between April 1 and November 1 every year. We ask you to also refrain from using your ATV or OHV on closed snowmobile trails as we do not have permission from landowners for their use during the offseason and have the potential to lose those rights with trespassing concerns.  

The North Dakota Parks and Recreation is closing all state parks and recreation buildings to the public effective Thursday, March 19. However, day-use facilities at the state parks, including trails and boat ramps will remain open to the public as of this time, and recreation and natural areas continue to remain open for day use.

The North Dakota Parks & Recreation Department and the North Dakota Council on the Arts are accepting applications for the Artist in Residency program. The Artist in Residency program offers artists the opportunity to stay and work in unique environments where they’ll draw inspiration from the state parks, demonstrate their skills, and assist park visitors of all ages in discovering their artistic side. Three artists will be invited to stay at either Turtle River State Park (July 12-19, 2020), Lewis & Clark State Park (August 2-9, 2020) or at Cross Ranch State Park (February 7-17, 2021) as a collaborative effort to incorporate arts into the educational programming presented by the North Dakota Parks & Recreation Department. Applications are due April 24, 2020.