Peace Garden News

The National Park Service (NPS) announced the North Dakota Department of Parks and Recreation (NDDPR) received an award of $1,262,300 through the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) supporting the construction of additional campsites at Sully Creek State Park.

The announcement came in a press release on September 30. The funding will allow the NDDPR to renovate and reconfigure the road network at Sully Creek State Park, located near Medora, to increase the number of campsites, including the installation of 50-amp utilities and water.

The NPS has provided over 40,000 LWCF grants since 1965 in an effort to support local public parks and campgrounds and increase accessibility to outdoor recreation. The funding for these grants comes primarily from federal offshore oil and gas lease revenue. 

Sully Creek State Park is located amidst the North Dakota Badlands and offers several types of recreation for visitors. Campers can go canoeing the Little Missouri River, go horseback riding, biking, or hiking along 120 miles of the Maah Daah Hey Trail, or enjoy campground amenities. 

In 2019, U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) helped to pass legislation called the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act. This legislation reauthorized the LWCF program, guaranteeing that states receive a minimum of 40 percent of its funding. 

Grants from the LWCF are determined locally and undergo a state-level review process managed by partners of the NPS.