North Dakota Parks & Recreation Department

Today, we gathered at Lake Sakakawea State Park to honor the memory of Deputy Paul Martin, an 18-year veteran of the Mercer County Sheriff's Office who was tragically killed in the line of duty on December 6, 2023. Paul was not only a beloved brother in law enforcement but also a dedicated husband, father, and grandpa. He will be remembered not just as a hero but as someone who spread love, courage, and a sense of home through his service. In a heartfelt tree-planting ceremony, we paid tribute to Paul's passion for the outdoors. This tree will stand as a living tribute to his legacy, offering shade and sanctuary to future generations. We are honored to help celebrate his life and remember the incredible impact he had on his community.

What a monumental day for North Dakota as we celebrated the groundbreaking of our 14th state park on May 31! Local youth joined the North Dakota Parks & Recreation Department, Governor’s Office, community partners and others to celebrate this historic milestone last Friday at the future site of Pembina Gorge State Park. The Gorge is already a must-see gem in North Dakota and we are excited to develop a year-round destination for visitors. We’re paving the way for endless outdoor adventures and memories to cherish for generations! Thank you to everyone involved in making this possible and further investing in outdoor recreation. #Groundbreaking #NDStateParks #NDParks #RendezvousRegion

Fort Stevenson State Park has been a Guinness World Records title holder for nearly a week now! As we reflect on the incredible efforts that made this achievement possible, we'd like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our generous sponsors, partners and the amazing community that supported us! A special shoutout to Krause's Market for providing all the delicious s'mores ingredients and Scheels for donating the roasting sticks – you made our s'mores roasting a hit! We also had amazing support from many of our partner agencies and organizations. Thank you to the North Country Trail Association (NCTA in ND), North Dakota Department of Water Resources, North Dakota Department of Commerce, and ND Dept of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Join us in also thanking these wonderful sponsors: Garrison Area Improvement Association McLean Electric Cooperative, Inc. CHI St. Alexius Health Highway 83 Lawn & Leisure Hwy83 Manufacturing Farmer's Union Oil Cenex TruCommunity Bank BNC National Bank Dairy Queen Grill & Chill 4 Seasons Restaurant Basin Electric Power Cooperative Otter Tail Power Company We're so grateful for your support! #NDSmoresRecord

WE MADE HISTORY! Fort Stevenson State Park is the new Guinness World Records holder for the Most People Making S'mores Simultaneously! The official participant count stands at 1,150. A huge thank you to each and every one of you for being part of this monumental achievement! Whether you joined in as a participant, cheered us on from the sidelines, lent a helping hand as a volunteer, or generously supported us as a sponsor, your contribution has been invaluable. And to our exceptional team members, your dedication has been the driving force behind this success – thank you for your unwavering commitment! Shout out to our sponsors: Garrison Area Improvement Association, McLean Electric Cooperative, Inc., CHI St. Alexius Health, Highway 83 Lawn & Leisure, Hwy83 Manufacturing, Farmer's Union Oil Cenex, TruCommunity Bank, BNC National Bank, Scheels, Dairy Queen Grill & Chill, Krause's Market, 4 Seasons Restaurant, Basin Electric Power Cooperative and Otter Tail Power Company. Here's to more memorable milestones together! #NDSmoresRecord

𝗡𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗗𝗮𝗸𝗼𝘁𝗮 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗯𝗹𝗮𝘇𝗲𝗿𝘀: 𝗢𝘂𝘁𝗱𝗼𝗼𝗿 𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗵𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄 Meet Sarah Girven, our next #NDTrailblazer! While she knew her time in North Dakota would be limited, she seized every moment, leveraging her passion for the outdoors to inspire others. Setting her sights on visiting every North Dakota State Park, Sarah achieved her goal earlier this month after two years of adventures! Along the way, Sarah didn't just journey solo; she brought others along for the ride. In 2022, she founded Women Who Explore: North Dakota igniting a spark of passion among outdoor enthusiasts statewide. From leading a backcountry camping excursion at Cross Ranch State Park to organizing a group kayaking trip at the Pembina Gorge State Recreation Area, Sarah has shared her love for nature and recreation with countless women. As she moves on to her next adventure beyond our borders, please join us in thanking Sarah for being an extraordinary ambassador for outdoor adventures in North Dakota! #NDProud #OutdoorChampions #WomenWhoExplore #WomenWhoExploreND #BeNDLegendary #NDParks #NDStateParks

Join us at the 2024 Earth Day Festival on Tues., April 16, 4-7:30 p.m. at the Bismarck Event Center! #2024EarthDay

Searching for an internship to give you hands-on experience in marketing and communications? We have a unique opportunity for a creative and driven individual to work alongside our communications division this summer. The intern will develop skills in content creation, social media, event coordination, graphic design, and project management. Join us in a supportive environment where you can bring fresh perspectives to diverse projects and grow both personally and professionally! Get the details: bit.ly/NDParksIntern

Lake Metigoshe State Park Manager Eric Lang was honored at the Park Law Enforcement Association’s Annual Training Conference held in Orange Beach, Alabama on February 28 when he was presented with the national Distinguished Service Award. This award is given to park law enforcement who exemplify exceptional dedication to the profession. Eric serves to enhance training quality so park law enforcement can make sound decisions to save lives and property. His leadership inspires his peers to strive for excellence and we are proud of this prestigious accomplishment! Eric humbly accepted the award on behalf of his fellow sworn team members, recognizing their unwavering commitment to the safety and security of North Dakota State Parks. Congratulations, Eric! #TeamND #ParkRanger #PLEA #NDParks #NDStateParks

JOB OPPORTUNITY: Gain hands-on experience as a seasonal park ranger at a North Dakota State Park! Rangers play a pivotal role in ensuring the safety and enjoyment of park visitors. Apply now to make the most of your summer and leave a lasting impact! bit.ly/NDParksJobs #WorkOutdoors #StateParkJobs #ParkRanger #NDStateParks

North Dakota's 14th state park is moving forward! We are now accepting construction bids for the development of Pembina Gorge State Park near Walhalla. Plans include family-friendly facilities, a modern campground with power and water, primitive tent sites, cabins, and expanded parking for off-highway vehicle (OHV) and snowmobile enthusiasts. With a groundbreaking scheduled for mid-May, this project has been a decade in the making and received $6 million from the 2023 Legislature and an additional $2 million from a federal grant. Director Cody Schulz says, "Our vision is to enhance and grow the area into an overnight destination property that draws visitors throughout all four seasons." Watch for more details as we get closer to breaking ground and celebrating this exciting addition to our state park system! Read full news release: parkrec.nd.gov/news #PembinaGorge #NDStateParks #NDParks #RealGoodND #RendezvousRegion #BeNDLegendary