North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department

09/15/2026

Come tell the story of North Dakota's great outdoors!

We're looking for a Digital Content Specialist to join the North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department Communications Division. This hands-on role will lead day-to-day social media management while also creating content for our websites, eNewsletters, mobile app and other digital platforms.

If you're a strong writer, creative storyteller and digital communicator who wants your work to connect people with our state parks, this could be your kind of job.

Applications close in just 5 days. If you're interested, check out the position details: bit.ly/nd-parks. And if you know someone who would be a great fit, share this post with them!

09/14/2026

September is bringing plenty of family-friendly fun to North Dakota State Parks! Here are a few events happening Saturday, Sept. 19:

Harvest Hike Walking Trivia - Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park
Explore, test your knowledge and finish with a hands-on harvest of heirloom crops at the Three Sisters Garden. Fun for all ages!

Oktober Family Fest - Fort Stevenson State Park
Celebrate fall with a German twist, featuring German food from Das Mountain Traveling Kitchen, polka music by Kuchen County and plenty of family fun.

Flannel Fest - Lewis and Clark State Park
Enjoy live music, food trucks, the Timberwork's Lumberjack Show, pumpkin painting, inflatables, photo stations, complimentary soup and a s'mores bar.

There's no better time to get outside and enjoy the changing season. Find an event near you and make a day of it!

09/12/2026

We finally get to celebrate!

Mother Nature may have postponed our June dedication, but we’re excited to celebrate the inaugural season of Pembina Gorge State Park with you on Saturday, September 26.

Join us from 2-5 p.m. for an afternoon of s’mores, a food truck, hands-on activities, arts and crafts, trail exploration and more!

September is a beautiful time to visit the gorge, so book a campsite and make a weekend of it. There are plenty of other events happening in the area, too!

Mark your calendar. We can’t wait to celebrate this milestone with you!

09/11/2026

Cooler days are here, and the leaves will soon be putting on a show!

If you say “we should camp in the fall!” every year, make this the year you actually do it. Crisp mornings, colorful trails, cozy campfires and fewer crowds make fall a pretty great time to camp in a North Dakota state park. 🍂 Experience it for yourself!

09/11/2026

Today marks 25 years since September 11, 2001. We remember the lives lost and honor the courage and service shown that day and in the years that followed.

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.