Field Trips
Why: North Dakota state parks provide an abundant number of natural, cultural, historical, and recreational opportunities! Go back in time to learn about Native American, pioneer, and settler history by taking a historical tour or head outdoors to study or recreate in the natural beauty of a State Park. Across North Dakota, state parks provide a wide range of ecosystems including forests, wetlands, prairies (short and tall-grass), rivers, and lakes to enjoy.
Where: Most North Dakota state parks offer ranger or interpreter-guided field trips. ND has 13 state parks and several additional recreation areas! [view map] Please note that four state parks have year-round interpretive staff and are able to provide more consistent field trip (educational) programming: Fort Abraham Lincoln, Icelandic, Lake Metigoshe, and Turtle River State Parks.
What: Click here to learn more about the topics and activities that may be available in a park near you. Please note that the topics may be park-specific and are not available in every North Dakota state park. Age limitations may be enforced, and liability waivers may be required depending upon the topic/activity.
When: Year-round, but dependent upon time of year and staffing levels, knowledge, and availability. Programs are usually 1-2 hours in length depending on the topic, size and age of the group, and equipment involved. Reservations are required and early booking is recommended, especially for the spring and summer months.
How: Please call the park of your choice to inquire about individualized field trip experiences for your students/children. Upon reaching an agreed-upon field trip date, you will receive confirmation paperwork to complete as well as additional information specific to your visit. Field trips must be scheduled and confirmed at least two weeks in advance.
Student programming fees are $5/program/person (except tours of the On-A-Slant Village and Custer House at Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park which have a different pricing structure). There is a minimum programming fee of $50 per program.
Programming fees include state park entrance fees up to one bus and two vehicles per program. Additional vehicles are subject to the ND Parks & Recreation Department’s entrance fees of either $7 per vehicle/day or use of an annual vehicle permit ($35 per year).
Cancellation or change of date/time must be confirmed with the park at least two weeks in advance. There is a cancellation fee of $50 if the field trip is canceled within two weeks of the scheduled arrival date.
In general, participants are required to bring their own water, lunch, snacks, sunscreen, bug spray, lip balm, medications, etc. Participants must be appropriately dressed for weather conditions including appropriate footwear for outdoor activities.
Teachers, principals, chaperones, mentors, etc. are required to always stay with the group(s) of students and participate in the programming activities to encourage a positive learning experience for all.
A student-to-chaperone ratio of 12:1 must be maintained. However, additional chaperones over this ratio will be considered a participant and programming fees will apply.
Disciplinary actions, when/if needed, are the responsibility of the group’s principal/teacher/mentor/chaperones that are present. Failure to address disciplinary issues may result in the remaining program being canceled and a $50 cancellation fee.