Our team offers year-round opportunities for individuals and groups to participate in field trips, youth camps, demonstrations, tours and interpretive talks. Tickets, pre-registration or reservations are often required, so contact the park you’re interested in to get more information on what's available.
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) programing: 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.
Day Camps at North Dakota State Parks
Lake Metigoshe State Park and Turtle River State Park host a series of youth Day Camps, which focus on environmental education and outdoor recreational skills. Camp schedule and registration details are announced each spring, so watch for more information.
Age Restrictions
Participants must be the age indicated at the time of camp.
Pickup/Dropoff Locations/Time
Camp starts in the LMSP main office at 9 am (participants must arrive no earlier than 8:45 am) at the main office (pending weather). Participants must be picked up at the conclusion of the day’s scheduled activities.
Illness/Disciplinary Issues
Should the participant become ill, cause disciplinary issues, etc., parents/guardians must be within 30 min of the park and available to pick up the participant(s) early, if needed. Staff reserves the right to remove participant(s) should disciplinary issues arise. Remaining time and registration fees will be forfeited.
Proper Attire
Participants will attend dressed for the weather forecast, wear good footwear and bring their own sunscreen and bug spray to maximize comfort level. Participants are also responsible for bringing their own swimwear and beach towel.
State Park Entrance Fees
Registration does NOT cover state park entrance fees in the amount of $7/vehicle/day or $35 for the annual pass. Daily and annual passes can be purchased prior to camp via www.parkrec.nd.gov, at the entrance station or at the park's main office.
Registration Fees and Cancelation Policy
Camp registration fees are final. Participants who become ill or do not show up will forfeit fees. If, for whatever reason, LMSP cancels the camp, the registration fee will be refunded. Should weather not be ideal, we'll adjust the schedule and/or activities as needed to continue camp.
Registered participants that are no longer able to attend can send a replacement as long as prior notification is sent to aschimetz@nd.gov AND the terms and conditions are agreed to by the replacement AT LEAST ONE WEEK prior to scheduled camp.
Age Restrictions
Participants must be the age indicated at the time of camp.
Pickup/Dropoff Locations/Time
Camp starts in the TRSP main office at 9 am (participants must arrive no earlier than 8:45 am) at the main office (pending weather). Participants must be picked up at the conclusion of the day’s scheduled activities at the playground. If weather is an issue, pick-up will take place at the main office.
Illness/Disciplinary Issues
Should the participant become ill, cause disciplinary issues, etc., parents/guardians must be within 30 min of the park and available to pick up the participant(s) early, if needed. Staff reserves the right to remove participant(s) should disciplinary issues arise. Remaining time and registration fees will be forfeited.
Proper Attire
Participants will attend dressed for the weather forecast, wear good footwear and bring their own sunscreen and bug spray to maximize comfort level. Participants are also responsible for bringing their own water bottle.
State Park Entrance Fees
Registration does NOT cover state park entrance fees in the amount of $7/vehicle/day or $35 for the annual pass. Daily and annual passes can be purchased prior to camp via www.parkrec.nd.gov, at the entrance station or at the park's main office.
Registration Fees and Cancelation Policy
Camp registration fees are final. Participants that become ill or do not show will forfeit fees. If, for whatever reason, TRSP cancels the camp, the registration fee will be refunded. Should weather not be ideal, we'll adjust the schedule and/or activities as needed to continue camp.
Registered participants that are no longer able to attend can send a replacement as long as prior notification is sent to ekolbow@nd.gov AND the terms and conditions are agreed to by the replacement AT LEAST ONE WEEK prior to scheduled camp.
Visitors from outside the area who have a child or children wanting to participate are encouraged to reserve a campsite or make a reservation in one of the park cabins. Check availability online or call 1-800-807-4723.