Saturday, June 7, 2025
8 a.m. – 4 p.m. MT
This National Trails Day, join Badlands Conservation Alliance as we participate in trail repair and maintenance operations in Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
This volunteer opportunity is a collaboration between Theodore Roosevelt National Park, Maah Daah Hey Trail Association, and Badlands Conservation Alliance. BCA's field crew of AmeriCorps members, who form the basis of our Badlands Conservation Corps, will also be working with us. Let's celebrate National Trails Day by giving back to North Dakota's only National Park.
We’ll be using basic hand tools to clear brush and overgrowth from the trails. No power equipment will be permitted. Tools used will include pruning snips, manual hand pruning saws for small limb trimming, hand nippers, hand saws, and pole saws. Since this is a volunteer event, no treadwork of substance will be completed absent TRNP archaeology surveys. Downed trail markers and Maah Daah Hey posts will be reset in their existing locations as required; only in those instances will hand tool excavation be allowed. Volunteers must bring their own hand tools.
We’ll meet on the lawn west of TRNP’s office headquarters on Pacific Ave in Medora, ND at 8 a.m. Mountain Time. We’ll carpool and drive to Peaceful Valley Ranch in the South Unit of TRNP.
Our hike will start at Peaceful Valley Ranch. From there, we’ll wade across the Little Missouri River. Footwear is required for crossing the river (no bare feet) and volunteers must bring a spare set of closed-toe river shoes. After crossing the river, we'll hike along the Ekblom Trail until we reach the Maah Daah Hey Trail. At that trail juncture, we'll head south towards the Maah Daah Hey Trail access point, which is near I-94, south of MDHT mile 53. This one-way hike, from Peaceful Valley Ranch to the MDHT access point, will be about 4 to 5 miles.
Volunteers must bring a backpack, closed-toe hiking boots or shoes, gloves, insect repellent, sunscreen, lunch (carry-in, carry-out), and ample water. Please wear lighter-weight clothes including long-sleeve sun-protective hiking shirts and pants, and lightweight hats to ensure protection from the sun.
Participants are asked to stay 80 feet clear of all wildlife.
Volunteer Service Agreement
Participants must RSVP and complete a Volunteer Service Agreement, social media code of conduct, and agreement prohibiting firearms within the National Park. Please submit the completed forms to Shannon Straight no later than May 28th, 2025.