OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT SOURCES ONLYTHE STATE & NATION RELEASE ARCHIVE
THE GOVERNMENT NEWS DESK

PERMANENT NPS STORY ARCHIVE

Travel Archive

Organized by publication date and destination. Each story retains its permanent State & Nation address and official NPS source.

2026-06-26

1 STORIES

2026-03-24

1 STORIES

Theodore Roosevelt National Park to move to cashless fee collection starting May 1

Cashless Website
National Park Service · Original image and credit

Beginning May 1, 2026, Theodore Roosevelt National Park will transition to a fully cashless fee system. Entrance fees and other in-person sales will be processed using mobile payments, credit cards, or debit cards at park sales outlets. The transition to electronic payment is safer, reduces transaction times, and improves accountability.

Official NPS source

2026-03-23

1 STORIES

2025-11-25

1 STORIES

Theodore Roosevelt National Park Celebrates Completion of South Unit Scenic Road Repair Project

2025 Road Opening Ribbon Cutting
National Park Service · Original image and credit

The public reopening of an iconic roadway was celebrated today in Theodore Roosevelt National Park. A ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the completion of the approximately $51 million South Unit Scenic Loop Road rehabilitation project featured remarks by U.S. Senator John Hoeven, U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer, National Park Service Regional Director Bert Frost, and Park Superintendent Rachel Daniels.

Official NPS source

2025-08-03

1 STORIES

2025-03-31

1 STORIES

2024-09-27

1 STORIES

2024-08-28

1 STORIES

2024-08-08

1 STORIES

2024-08-05

1 STORIES

2024-07-10

1 STORIES

Horse Approaching Campers

Earlier this spring, a male feral horse began entering Roundup Horse Camp, approaching campers and their riding stock, following riders down the trail, and interfered with the feeding and care of the camper’s horses.

Official NPS source

2024-04-25

1 STORIES

2024-04-02

1 STORIES

2024-03-25

1 STORIES

2024-01-31

1 STORIES

2023-07-18

1 STORIES

2022-12-12

1 STORIES

2022-09-15

1 STORIES

2022-03-16

1 STORIES

2022-02-10

1 STORIES

2021-10-27

1 STORIES

2021-04-12

1 STORIES

2021-04-09

1 STORIES

High Winds Challenge Firefighters on the Horse Pasture Fire

4/9/2021 – Fire activity on the Horse Pasture Fire remained high on Thursday, however no new growth was reported. Strong winds continued to be a challenge for firefighters, as they worked to keep the fire within established firelines. Flare ups were visible as large pockets of unburned fuel within the perimeter were consumed.

Official NPS source

2020-06-29

1 STORIES

2020-06-08

1 STORIES

2020-05-19

1 STORIES

2020-05-09

1 STORIES

2020-04-15

1 STORIES

2020-04-04

1 STORIES

2020-03-18

1 STORIES

2020-01-06

1 STORIES

2019-08-26

2 STORIES

2019-08-21

1 STORIES

2019-07-30

1 STORIES

2019-07-28

1 STORIES

2019-07-01

1 STORIES

National Park Tourism in North Dakota Creates $65.5 Million in Economic Benefits

A new National Park Service (NPS) study reports that visitors to North Dakota’s national parks spent $49.6 million dollars in nearby communities in 2018. Approximately 733,000 people visited Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site, Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site, and Theodore Roosevelt National Park, supporting 695 jobs in the surrounding areas and having a cumulative benefit to the state economy of $65.5 million.

Official NPS source

2019-06-28

1 STORIES

White-nose syndrome in bats detected in North Dakota

A fungus that causes white-nose syndrome (WNS), a deadly disease of hibernating bats but not a direct health risk for humans, has been detected in North Dakota for the first time. The fungus was detected on one little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus) that was captured on the night of May 6, 2019 within the boundary of Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site, during proactive WNS testing conducted by the National Park Service Northern Great Plains Network in collaboration with the University of Wyoming.

Official NPS source

2019-05-07

1 STORIES

2019-05-01

1 STORIES

2019-03-29

1 STORIES

2018-08-31

2 STORIES

2018-05-11

1 STORIES

2018-05-07

1 STORIES

2018-04-20

2 STORIES

2018-04-16

1 STORIES

2017-12-08

1 STORIES

2017-08-24

1 STORIES

2017-05-05

1 STORIES

2017-04-26

1 STORIES

2016-08-03

1 STORIES

2016-05-19

1 STORIES

2016-03-29

1 STORIES

2016-02-05

1 STORIES

Open House Meeting Scheduled at Theodore Roosevelt National Park for Proposed Communication Tower Replacement

The National Park Service (NPS) will hold an open house meeting on Thursday, February 11 to gather public comments on the recently released Environmental Assessment (EA) for the replacement of the North Unit communications tower. The current tower provides communication functions essential to public safety and efficient operations for the park and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS). It is located within the park boundary on the east side of Hwy 85 in McKenzie County, just north of the park entrance. The meeting will take place at the North Unit from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. CDT in the temporary visitor center building near the park entrance.

Official NPS source

2016-01-12

1 STORIES

Fee Free MLK Day 2016

MEDORA, ND: Begin a new year with a visit to Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Entrance and camping fees will be waived for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day holiday on Monday, January 18.

Official NPS source

2015-12-14

1 STORIES

2015-09-22

1 STORIES

2015-09-02

1 STORIES

2015-06-20

1 STORIES

2015-06-05

1 STORIES

2015-05-18

1 STORIES

2015-05-07

1 STORIES

2015-04-17

1 STORIES

park week 2015

Theodore Roosevelt National Park invites the public to “Find Your Park” during National Park Week, April 18 – 26. Entrance to the park will be free on Saturday and Sunday, April 18 and 19.

Official NPS source

2015-03-10

1 STORIES

2015-02-19

1 STORIES

2015-02-10

1 STORIES

2015-02-06

2 STORIES

2015-01-28

1 STORIES

2014-12-20

1 STORIES

2015 Bird Count

MEDORA, ND: Theodore Roosevelt National Park invites volunteers to participate in the nationwide Audubon Christmas Bird Count on Saturday, December 27, 2014. The event is free.

Official NPS source

2014-12-15

1 STORIES

Theodore Roosevelt National Park Proposes Replacement of North Unit Communications Tower

MEDORA, ND – Theodore Roosevelt National Park invites the public to provide feedback on a proposal to replace its North Unit communications tower with a shorter one at the same general location. The current tower provides communication functions essential to public safety and efficient park operations. It is located within the park boundary on the east side of Hwy 85 in McKenzie County, just north of the park entrance.

Official NPS source

2014-12-11

1 STORIES

2014 Photo Contest Winner Announced

Badlands Dawn by Dave Bruner
National Park Service · Original image and credit

Theodore Roosevelt National Park Photo Contest Winner Announced MEDORA, ND: The National Park Service and the Theodore Roosevelt Nature and History Association announced the winter of the third Annual “Picture Yourself in Theodore Roosevelt National Park” Photo Contest on Saturday.

Official NPS source

2014-11-28

1 STORIES

Theodore Roosevelt National Park Annual Photo Contest Winner to be Announced

Gary Anderson
National Park Service · Original image and credit

Medora, ND – The National Park Service and the Theodore Roosevelt Nature and History Association are pleased to announce that the winning photo has been selected for the annual “Picture Yourself in Theodore Roosevelt National Park” photo contest. The winner will be announced during Medora’s 19th Annual Old Fashioned Cowboy Christmas festivities on Saturday, December 6 at 2:00 p.m. MST in the park’s South Unit Visitor Center.

Official NPS source

2014-10-14

1 STORIES

Elk Population Maintenance Program Resumes

MEDORA, ND: The National Park Service will resume the maintenance phase of the Elk Management Plan in Theodore Roosevelt National Park. A limited number of elk will be removed by park staff beginning October 20 and, if required, the reduction period could extend into late January. Use of volunteers was considered, but will not be necessary during this phase.

Official NPS source

2014-09-11

1 STORIES

Second Annual Dakota Nights Astronomy Festiva

MEDORA, ND: Theodore Roosevelt National Park and Historic Medora invite curious minds of all ages to spend an early autumn weekend exploring our mysterious universe. Park rangers, astronomers, and space enthusiasts of all types will gather for the Second Annual Dakota Nights Astronomy Festival Friday, September 19 through Sunday, September 21.

Official NPS source

2014-08-19

1 STORIES

2014 Founders Day

MEDORA, ND: The National Park Service will celebrate its 98th birthday on Monday, August 25. Entrance fees will be waived at Theodore Roosevelt National Park, giving visitors a late summer opportunity to enjoy the park free of charge.

Official NPS source

2014-08-13

2 STORIES

2014-06-24

1 STORIES

2014-05-23

2 STORIES

2014-05-16

1 STORIES

Life Saving Click It or Ticket Mobilization Begins

PressLogo
National Park Service · Original image and credit

Theodore Roosevelt National Park wants to remind motorists to Click It or Ticket. In order to enforce this reminder, park law enforcement rangers will be stepping up enforcement beginning May 19th 2014. Memorial Day weekend kicks off summer vacation season, and we want to ensure that everyone arrives at their destination safe and sound.

Official NPS source

2014-05-02

1 STORIES

Park Announces Spring and Summer Visitor Center Hours

Spring visitor center hours will be in effect at Theodore Roosevelt National Park beginning on Saturday, May 3, 2014. The South Unit Visitor Center is open daily 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. MDT. The North Unit Visitor Center, at the entrance to Juniper Campground, is open on Saturdays and Sundays 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. CDT. The Painted Canyon Visitor Center will open for the season on Saturday, May 3. Hours will be 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. MDT.

Official NPS source

2014-04-15

1 STORIES

National Park Week 2014

Theodore Roosevelt National Park invites the public to GO WILD! for nature, history, wildlife, and fun during National Park Week, April 19 - 27. Entrance to the park during this annual nation-wide celebration will be free Saturday and Sunday, April 19 and 20, as the National Park Service is offering free entrance at all of its 401 park units which regularly charge fees.

Official NPS source

2014-04-04

1 STORIES

2014-03-31

1 STORIES

2014-03-04

1 STORIES

2014-02-10

1 STORIES

2014-01-13

1 STORIES

2013-12-13

1 STORIES

Annual Christmas Bird Count to be Held in Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Theodore Roosevelt National Park welcomes volunteers to participate in the nationwide Audubon Christmas Bird Count. The Medora Area Count will take place on Saturday, December 21. Volunteers wishing to take part should meet at the South Unit Visitor Center at 8:00 a.m. MST. Any participants arriving later in the day should stop by the visitor center for guidance

Official NPS source

2013-12-12

1 STORIES

2013-12-10

1 STORIES

2013-12-02

1 STORIES

2013 Photo Contest Winner

Kim_WehnerGrandPrizeWinner
National Park Service · Original image and credit

The National Park Service and the Theodore Roosevelt Nature and History Association are pleased to announce that the winning photo has been selected for the annual “Picture Yourself in Theodore Roosevelt National Park” photo contest. The winner will be announced during Medora’s 18th Annual Old Fashioned Cowboy Christmas festivities on Saturday, December 7 at 2:00 p.m. MST in the park’s South Unit Visitor Center.

Official NPS source

2013-10-31

2 STORIES

2013-09-19

1 STORIES

Park Horses to be Sold at Auction

Feral horses from Theodore Roosevelt National Park are scheduled to be sold at public auction at Wishek Livestock Market inWishek, North Dakota on Saturday, September 28 at 11 am CDT. Approximately 105-110 horses will be sold to reduce the horse population in the national park to about 100 animals.

Official NPS source

2013-09-10

1 STORIES

Dakota Nights: An Astronomy Festival

Theodore Roosevelt National Park invites curious minds of all ages to spend a crisp autumn weekend exploring our universe. Astronomers, park rangers, historians, and explorers of all kinds will gather for the first Dakota Nights: An Astronomy Festival Friday, September 27 through Sunday, September 29.

Official NPS source

2013-08-19

1 STORIES

2013-08-02

1 STORIES

2013 Badlands Star Party

The dark night sky of Theodore Roosevelt National Park’s North Unit is the perfect setting for the annual North Dakota Badlands Star Party on August 9 and 10.

Official NPS source

2013-07-09

1 STORIES

North Unit Visitor Center to be Closed

NU Visitor Center
National Park Service · Original image and credit

The visitor center in the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park will be closed this month, and visitor contact functions will be moved to the campground. Unprecedented rains in recent years have caused unstable badlands soils to shift and caused the building to move.

Official NPS source

2013-05-03

1 STORIES

Road Construction to Begin in Park’s South Unit

Road construction on the Scenic Drive in Theodore Roosevelt National Park will resume on Monday, May 6. The construction crew will work on the East River Road from Wind Canyon to Beef Corral Bottom. Visitors will encounter single-lane traffic and delays of up to 30 minutes.

Official NPS source

2013-04-04

1 STORIES

2012-12-11

2 STORIES

2012 Photo Contest

Kim_WehnerGrandPrizeWinner
National Park Service · Original image and credit

The National Park Service and the Theodore Roosevelt Nature and History Association announced the winner of the first Annual “Picture Yourself in Theodore Roosevelt National Park” Photo Contest on Saturday.

Official NPS source

2012-11-09

2 STORIES

Elk Management Effort Continues

The National Park Service has removed 21 antlerless elk from the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park in the past two weeks. The park is in the maintenance phase of the Elk Management Plan, after two highly successful elk reduction efforts during 2010-2011.

Official NPS source

Winter Visitor Center Hours

Winter visitor center hours will be in effect at Theodore Roosevelt National Park beginning on Monday, November 12, 2012.The South Unit Visitor Center is open daily 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. MST.The North Unit Visitor Center will be open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. CST, and will be open on other days as staffing allows.The Painted Canyon Visitor Center will be closed for the season. Both the North and South Unit Visitor Centers will be closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.

Official NPS source

2012-11-08

1 STORIES

Park Entrance Fees Waived for Veterans Day Weekend

To commemorate Veterans Day, the National Park Service is offering free admission at all park units Saturday, November 10 through Monday, November 12.Entrance fees will be waived at Theodore Roosevelt National Park, giving visitors one last fee-free opportunity to enjoy the park this year.

Official NPS source

2012-10-25

4 STORIES

Autopsy Report Reveals Hiker Suffered Heart Attack

An autopsy report released by the North Dakota State Medical Examiner’s Office revealed that Daniel Olszewski, the man who passed away while hiking in Theodore Roosevelt National Park in July, had suffered a massive heart attack, which caused his death.

Official NPS source

2012 Elk Maintenance Plan

The National Park Service has begun the transition from elk reduction to the maintenance phase of the Elk Management Plan in Theodore Roosevelt National Park. A limited number of elk will be removed by park staff from October 30 through December 6.

Official NPS source

North Unit Scenic Drive Opening

Repair and reconstruction of the Scenic Drive in Theodore Roosevelt National Park’s North Unit has been completed and the road will reopen on Friday, October 26 at 9:00 a.m. CDT.

Official NPS source

2012-09-21

2 STORIES

2012-09-10

1 STORIES

September Visitor Activities

September visitor center hours are now in effect in Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The South Unit Visitor Center in Medora is open daily 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. MDT. Painted Canyon Visitor Center, 6 miles east of Medora off I-94, is open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. MDT. The North Unit Visitor Center, located 15 miles south of Watford City on Hwy. 85, is open 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. CDT. All of the park’s visitor centers offer free orientation films, exhibits, publications, and information about the park and the surrounding area.

Official NPS source

2012-08-21

1 STORIES

Native American Flutist to Headline Founders Day Activities at Theodore Roosevelt National Park

The National Park Service will celebrate its 96th birthday on Saturday. As part of the festivities, Matt Schanandore, an internationally known flutist and storyteller, will present an evening of music and interpretive storytelling at the Cottonwood Campground amphitheater in the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park on Saturday, August 25, at 8:30 p.m. MDT. Special ranger-led programs will be presented as well.

Official NPS source

2012-08-14

1 STORIES

Annual Star Party

A dark night sky is the perfect setting for the North Dakota Badlands Star Party in Theodore Roosevelt National Park’s North Unit. The annual event will be held on August 17 and 18.

Official NPS source

2012-07-18

1 STORIES

2012-07-07

2 STORIES

Weekend Programs to Introduce Families to Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Birds, geology, mammals, and more! Theodore Roosevelt National Park invites kids and their families for fun activities on Saturdays and Sundays. Play games, take a hike, and discover the many facets of the North Dakota badlands in these activity filled programs for the whole family. Programs will be offered in the North and South Units of the park.

Official NPS source

2012-05-21

2 STORIES

Military Pass Announced

To show appreciation for those who serve in the U.S. Military, on May 19 - Armed Forces Day - the National Park Service bagan issuing an annual pass offering free entrance to Theodore Roosevelt and all 397 national parks for active duty military members and their dependents.

Official NPS source

Honoring our Military Personnel

To show appreciation for those who serve in the U.S. Military, on May 19 - Armed Forces Day - the National Park Service bagan issuing an annual pass offering free entrance to Theodore Roosevelt and all 397 national parks for active duty military members and their dependents.

Official NPS source

2012-03-28

1 STORIES

2012-03-22

1 STORIES

2012-03-21

1 STORIES

Park Selects New Chief of Administration

Margaret (Meg) Schwartz has been selected as the new Chief of Administration at Theodore Roosevelt National Park. She was promoted into her new assignment on March 11 after serving as the park’s Budget Analyst for the last eight years.

Official NPS source

2011-12-15

1 STORIES

2011-10-11

1 STORIES