News

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.

The North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department is updating the master plan for Cross Ranch State Park. The Department values the opinion of its citizens and park users and wants to get feedback and thoughts.

In the interest of public health, safety and welfare and keeping the master planning process moving forward, NDPRD is excited to host its very first virtual open house!

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.