National Park Service National Park Sites of North Dakota U.S. Department of the Interior The official newspaper of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site, and Visitor Guide Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site Summer 2014 - Winter 2015 Photo by Chad Allmendinger, 2013 Photo Contest Entry Exploring North Dakota’s National Treasures THERE ARE THREE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE SITES in North Dakota. Each is a unique experience; each Welcome to the North protects and preserves a different aspect of American natural and cultural history; and each is an adventure to Dakota National Parks remember. Whether you are seeking to encounter a piece of American history, take a glimpse into the life of a former president, or Theodore Roosevelt National Park enjoy wildlife in their natural habitat, COMPRISED OF THREE UNITS: THE North UNIT, the North Dakota National Parks have the South Unit, and the Elkhorn Ranch Unit, Theodore something for you. Theodore Roosevelt Roosevelt National Park stretches across 70,416 acres of National Park, Fort Union Trading Post western North Dakota. It preserves an area of land that National Historic Site, and Knife River profoundly affected President Theodore Roosevelt and Indian Villages National Historic Site is a beacon for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. all provide opportunities to experience Abundant wildlife, scenic drives, and miles of trails important chapters of the American story. await your arrival. Turn to page 2 to learn more! The vast North Dakota prairies, rivers, and badlands are home to a wide variety Fort Union Trading Post NHS of native wildlife such as bison, elk, bighorn sheep, bald and golden eagles, NOT YOUR STANDARD FORT - FORT UNION TRADING Post National Historic Site is a must for anyone with meadowlarks, burrowing owls, and prairie dogs. They have provided food, an interest in Early American History. Built not as a clothing, shelter, and a way of life to government or military post, but rather for trade, Fort American Indian tribes for generations. Union has seen the likes of George Catlin, Karl Bodmer, They have been the land of opportunity John James Audubon, and Prince Maximilian. Great for trappers and traders, homesteaders tribal leaders from many of the nations that traded here and ranchers, and a source of inspiration have also graced this Fort. Come for a visit and walk in for a future president. And they offer you their footsteps. Special events throughout the year make the chance to savor the outdoors, find history come alive. Turn to page 14 to learn more! solitude, take some time with your family, or make your own connections with your national parks. Knife River Indian Villages NHS National Parks – more than 400 units IS loCateD ON THE KNIFE RIVER DIRECtly north throughout the United States and its of its confluence with the Missouri River. Though territories – have been set aside to Hidatsa and Mandan hunted bison and other game, preserve and protect many aspects of they were primarily farmers living in villages along our natural and cultural heritage. They the Missouri and its tributaries. The site was a major tell the story of us as Americans. While American Indian trade center for hundreds of years doing so, they are also managed for us prior to becoming an important marketplace for and future generations to enjoy. They are fur traders after 1750. Today, visitors can see the here for all of us, and they belong to you. archeological remains of earthlodge villages and Welcome! experience the landscape where Lewis and Clark met Sakakawea on their journey west. Turn to page 15 to Top Image: Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site Valerie Naylor Bottom Image: A Reconstructed Earthlodge silhouetted by a Dakota Superintendent learn more! sunrise at Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site Elkhorn Ranch 5 Petrified Forest 5 Hiking Guide 7 Plan Your Visit to TRNP 2 - 3 Wildlife Checklist 6 The Elkhorn was the “home ranch” of Wander through the remains of an ancient With over 95 miles of trails in Theodore Theodore Roosevelt while he cowboyed in forest. Remote and protected, this is the Roosevelt National Park, there is plenty of TRNP Hiking Guide 7 - 10 the Dakota Badlands. It was here, Roosevelt third most important collection of petrified opportunity to get out and truly explore Getting Involved 11 said, “...the romance of my life began.” wood in North America. Just a short visit the North Dakota Badlands. Detailed hiking Although the home no longer stands, the site here can offer insight into the past, instill maps and descriptions will help you choose Summer Program Schedule 12 of the ranch house is protected and available wonder, inspire questions, and spark a desire the right adventure. For your safety, be sure Jr. Ranger & Night Sky Programs 13 for visitors to enjoy today just as Theodore to learn more about the geologic forces still you and someone not hiking with you know Roosevelt did in the 1880s. Take a trip out and at work in the badlands. A 30 minute drive where you are going and how long you plan Fort Union NHS 14 see why this area had such a profound impact and a 3 mile hike are all that is required for to be out. Hike prepared. Always carry water Knife River Indian Villages NHS 15 on a future U.S. President. Turn to page 5 to this incredible journey. Turn to page 5 to and a hat. The Hiking Guide is located on learn more! learn more! pages 7-10. TRNHA & Area Map 16 Campgrounds National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Plan Your Visit What Can I Do Here? Juniper Campground $10/night, $5 with Senior or First Come, First Served INFORMATION RESTROOMS ACCESSIBILITY Camping GUIDED TRAIL RIDES North Unit - No Hookups Access Pass 41 RV/Tent, 9 Walk-in Tent Only Welcome to Restrooms can The park’s developed Campgrounds have Rides are conducted Theodore Roosevelt be found at the areas are accessible. restrooms, drinking from Peaceful Valley Cottonwood Campground $10/night, $5 with Senior or First Come, First Served South Unit - No Hookups Access Pass 64 RV/Tent, 12 Walk-in Tent Only Theodore Roosevelt National Park National Park! There visitor centers, Service dogs are water, picnic tables, Ranch in the South campgrounds, and are three park visitor permitted on leashes and fire grates. Unit by a private Round-up Horse Camp Inquire at Visitor Center Assigned through a lottery system. Superintendent centers where you can obtain picnic areas. There are NO in developed areas and on the There are no showers. Limited concessionaire. Rides are offered South Unit - Primitive Details are available on park website. Valerie Naylor information and maps: the North RESTROOMS available along the Little Mo, Boicourt, Skyline shower facilities are available in daily from late May through scenic drives. the communities of Medora and Backcountry Camping Free Permit Required Permits are available at park visitor Unit Visitor Center located near Vista, Wind Canyon, and Buck early September. For more Both Units - Undeveloped centers. Backcountry regulations apply. Mailing Address Juniper Campground, the South Hill Trails. Service dogs are Watford City. information call (701) 623-4568. Theodore Roosevelt National Park Unit Visitor Center located at the In case of an emergency, practice not allowed in the backcountry P.O. Box 7 park entrance in Medora, and Leave No Trace principles. or on other trails. The South HIKING Watercraft Group sites are available by reservation only. Campgrounds are open year-round. Winter 315 2nd Avenue camping fees are half-price. Inquire at park visitor centers for more information. Painted Canyon Visitor Center at Leaving toilet paper behind is Unit Visitor Center film offers With over 95 miles The Little Missouri Medora, North Dakota 58645 exit 32 on I-94. considered littering and could captioning, audio description, of hiking trails River is usually Park Information & Lost and Found result in a $100 fine. and assistive listening devices. throughout the park navigable from mid- 701-623-4466 there is plenty of April through June. room to stretch your legs. Trails A river depth of at least 2.5 feet Hey, Ranger! Website vary from less than a mile to epic at Medora is required for fair Many people are confused about the role of park rangers in a National Park. Some wear www.nps.gov/thro How Can I Stay Safe? hikes of more than 20 miles in boating and 2.5-3.5 feet for good guns and defensive gear while others do not. You can expect to see two types of rangers length. Turn to the Hiking Guide boating. Depths can be checked while you are here: Protection Rangers and Interpretation Rangers. heat & DehydratiON sink the tires of vehicles. Always ThunderstORMS Follow us Online on pages 7-11 to learn more. at the visitor centers and online. The prairie is be aware of the forecast before Lightning kills Facebook, Twitter, and Flicker Protection Rangers are responsible for often hotter and heading out for adventure. more people each PICNIC AREA BACKCOuntry protecting the park and the visitors who Fax Number more exposed year than any Shaded picnic areas Camping come here. They patrol, write tickets, 701-623-4840 than expected. WILDLIFE other weather are available adjacent The park is open and have full authority as Federal Law Dehydration and heat exhaustion Most injuries happen event. On the Great Plains, to the campgrounds to backcountry Enforcement Officers. You might see Hours of Operation are common dangers that can when visitors disturb severe thunderstorms are a in both the North camping. Free them in their marked trucks patrolling the The park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a be avoided with adequate the wildlife.