In North Dakota’s rugged Badlands, a new tribal national park is opening up an often overlooked part of the dramatic landscape to hikers and outdoor enthusiasts, as part of a Native American tribe’s dedication to conserving their land and promoting recreation.
The Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation has established the Three Affiliated Tribes National Park by acquiring 2,100 acres of a former ranch adjacent to the Fort Berthold Reservation, located on the southern side of the Little Missouri River.
Historically, this region was part of the tribe’s original treaty lands, but an allotment act by the government significantly reduced the reservation’s size, according to Mary Fredericks, director of the tribe’s Parks and Reserve Program. Now, the reservation’s boundaries have expanded to encompass this national park.
Tribal Chairman Mark Fox expressed that their objectives include turning the area into a park for cultural and recreational activities, such as canoeing, kayaking, and wildlife observation.
“This area holds historical significance and is part of our ancestral lands. It’s a strategic move to reclaim our lands and utilize them effectively to boost tourism and the local economy through recreational activities,” Fox said.
Officials at the park are taking a cautious approach in planning and developing the park to minimize environmental impacts and preserve the landscape’s integrity.
Park Superintendent Ethan White Calfe emphasized that their aim is to maintain the park for future generations, improving its condition compared to when it was acquired. “We are focused on preserving this place I’m permanently enhancing its environment,” he said.
North Dakota’s Badlands are characterized by a challenging, colorful landscape featuring unique formations, petrified wood, and ancient fossils, drawing hikers, campers, hunters, and bicyclists.
After a soft opening in September, the park is exclusively accessible to foot traffic through a free online permit. Visitors need to register their itinerary, and hikers must park in a designated grass lot. Plans are to complete 10 miles of trails by summer’s end, Fredericks stated.
Future developments include a visitor center and campground, with additional efforts planned for restoring native prairies and soils where invasive species have disrupted the local flora, according to White Calfe.
“Our efforts aim to restore the landscape’s appearance to how it was centuries ago, creating balance and natural beauty,” Calfe explained.
Fredericks described the park as a challenging yet picturesque terrain offering stunning vistas.
The state highway that bisects the park descends from a flat expanse into a rugged river valley, offering passing travelers glimpses of its beauty, though much of the park’s interior remains hidden from this view.
Looking ahead, Fredericks believes the park could serve as a portal to the reservation. The area already offers outdoor activities at Lake Sakakawea and nearby attractions like Theodore Roosevelt National Park and the Maah Daah Hey Trail.
The successful oil development on the reservation has provided the MHA Nation with resources that facilitated the land purchase for this national park, Fredericks acknowledged.
“Nonetheless, there’s a responsibility to preserve and conserve our environment,” she noted. “I take great pride in our tribal council’s foresight to acquire this land for a national park. We can’t predict the distant future, but we can safeguard this part of our heritage.”
The new park is adjacent to Little Missouri State Park, popular among horseback riders for its 40 miles of trails.
Cody Schulz, director of the State Parks and Recreation Department, described the scenic area as possessing “a spiritual and peaceful aura.” Schulz mentioned that state park officials have been collaborating closely with the tribe on connectivity and reciprocity plans for the past two years.
White Calfe admitted that the park provides a valuable opportunity for the tribe “to narrate our story from our perspective within a place of such cultural significance.”