NPS / Nathan December 31, 2024Here’s to the last sunset of the year!As we watch the sun set on 2024, let’s reflect on the memories, growth, and lessons this year brought us. Whether it was moments of joy, challenges that made us stronger, or simply the quiet time spent with loved ones, it's all part of the beautiful journey. 
December 28, 2024Happy National Call a Friend Day! Today’s the perfect excuse to reconnect with that friend you haven’t spoken to in a while. So, pick up the phone and call someone who always makes you laugh or shares your sense of adventure! And hey, how about making plans to visit Theodore Roosevelt National Park together? Imagine hiking through the badlands, spotting bison, and taking in those epic views — it's a perfect way to make new memories with an old friend. Tag a friend you want to call and plan your adventure! 
NPS December 25, 2024This Christmas may your heart be as full as this chipmunk's cheeks! Merry Christmas from all of us at Theodore Roosevelt National Park! 
NPS / Sydney Honn December 24, 2024"Twas the night before Christmas, down under the ground, not a prairie dog stirred, not a peep or a sound.The burrows were cozy, the pups snug in bed, while visions of snowflakes danced in their heads. The stockings were hung in the tunnels with care, in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there. When out on the plain there arose such a clatter, the prairie dogs peeked out to see what was the matter. And what to their wondering eyes should appear, but St. Nick in his sleigh, with reindeer so near! He slid down a tunnel and left treats galore, then quickly was gone, and they saw him no more. Back in their burrows, the prairie dogs sighed, with joy in their hearts, and stars in the sky. "Merry Christmas," they chirped, and curled up to sleep, as snowflakes fell softly, so quiet and deep." It's Christmas Eve, which means it's time for me to go back to my burrow. Thanks for all the fun! 'Til next year... 
NPS / Sydney Honn December 23, 2024It's almost time for me to go, which means I HAD to pull one more prank on Ranger Peelee! There wasn't quite enough snow for a snowman...does this count? 
NPS / Sydney Honn December 22, 2024Ranger Peelee loves to sing, so I thought I'd surprise him by learning some Christmas carols! I don't have the best singing voice, but it's the thought that counts, right?Come back daily to see all the mischief and learn a thing or two! 
NPS / Sydney Honn December 21, 2024It's the shortest day of the year, and I needed a nap. Good thing Theodore Roosevelt's bed was available in the Maltese Cross Ranch Cabin! Today's the Winter Solstice and, yes, we won't get a lot of sunlight today. But on the bright side, this means the days are only going to be brighter longer! Happy Winter Solstice! Use it as an excuse to take a nap today. Come back daily for more mischief and to learn a thing or two! 
NPS / Sydney Honn December 20, 2024It's a wildlife sack race, and I'm winning! I got a bunch of other animals to play with me, and we're having a blast! Sorry rangers, we only had five sacks for our race... Come back daily to see all the mischief and learn a thing or two! 
NPS / Sydney Honn December 19, 2024My friends wanted to help me wrap presents, so we created a gift-wrapping team! It's the season of giving and we definitely wanted to participate. Come back daily to see all the mischief and learn a thing or two! 
NPS / Sydney Honn December 18, 2024I'm "rock"-ing around the Christmas tree today with another geology lesson! Did you know that around 65 million years ago, Theodore Roosevelt National Park was a swamp? During this period, sediments from the newly forming Rocky Mountains settled in the waters of modern-day North Dakota, and volcanoes from all over the west left ash. Over time, these layers settled to become the siltstone, sandstone, mudstone, and bentonite clay layers you see when you drive through the park! Decomposed plant material that fell into the swamp became lignite coal, and many water-loving trees became petrified wood! There are all sorts of cool geological aspects to the park, and you should come check them out! Of course I love to talk about geology! I'm named after "clinker", another geological feature here! Come back daily to see all the mischief and learn a thing or two! 
NPS / Sydney Honn December 17, 2024I showed the rangers what I learned about fire safety, and they let me build a campfire! I promised to use what I learned to make sure this fire got built and gets put out properly! Come back daily to see all the mischief and learn a thing or two! 
NPS / Sydney Honn December 16, 2024I told the rangers I wanted to have a campfire, but they said I needed to learn fire safety first. Let’s learn together! - Always use dead or downed wood to build your fire. Pulling twigs and branches off of live trees or snags could impact homes for wildlife! - Keep your fire small and manageable and never leave it unattended. - If you can let your fire burn to ash, do it! If you need to put out your fire before then, make sure to drown the fire with water, covering all wood and embers until the hissing sound stops. You can use dirt or sand to stir your fire out if you don’t want to use your water! - Add water, dirt, or sand until the ash and burnt materials are no longer smoldering and completely cool. If it’s still hot, it’s not out all the way! I think fire safety is super important, and you should too! Now that I know fire safety, maybe the rangers will let me have that campfire… Be on the lookout for information regarding Theodore Roosevelt National Park's Junior Wildland Firefighter Days, coming in March 2025! Come back daily to see all the mischief and learn a thing or two! 
NPS December 16, 2024!!!NEW PROGRAM ALERT!!! Ecological Horizons: A South Unit Scenic Drive Through the Past Present and Future of Theodore Roosevelt National Park When: Sunday, December 22nd from 10:00am-12:00pm MT Where: Peaceful Valley Ranch (mile 7 of the South Unit Scenic Drive) Join Ranger Peelee and Ranger Nate on a guided scenic drive through Theodore Roosevelt National Park! Explore the historic Peaceful Valley Ranch, spot local wildlife, and marvel at ancient petrified wood and dramatic rock formations. Discover the park's stunning beauty and natural wonders. Please meet at the Bunkhouse at Peaceful Valley Ranch, located at mile 7 of the South Unit Scenic Drive. We will begin promptly at 10:00 AM, so kindly arrive at least 15 minutes early. Coffee and hot chocolate will be provided by the Theodore Roosevelt Nature and History Association. Participants will drive their own vehicles and follow the rangers to various stops along the scenic drive, where you’ll learn more about Theodore Roosevelt National Park and enjoy short walks together. For safety, please drive cautiously and follow traffic laws throughout the tour. The tour will conclude at mile 19 around 12:00 PM. Afterward, you’re welcome to explore the park further, and our rangers will be available to answer any questions. 
NPS / Sydney Honn December 15, 2024Playing in the snow makes me want a nice cup of hot chocolate to warm back up! Make sure you're warmly dressed when you go outside this winter, and make sure to spend time warming up once you get back inside! I kept some of my layers on until the hot chocolate kicks in... Come back daily to see all the mischief and learn a thing or two! 
NPS / Sydney Honn December 14, 2024SNOWBALL FIGHT!!! Or I guess...marshmallow fight? made my fort, and I'm ready to play! If only I could convince a ranger to play with me... Come back daily to see all the mischief and learn a thing or two! 
NPS / Sydney Honn December 13, 2024I’m trying to look at the meteor shower, but the rangers said I’d have better luck if I came back out at night… Tonight is the peak for the Geminid meteor shower! Under ideal conditions, you could see up to 120 meteors per hour, so grab your telescopes and get outside! 
NPS / Sydney Honn December 12, 2024I told Ranger Peelee I wanted to go wildlife watching, but I forgot my winter clothes. He was so nice to lend me his! No matter what wildlife you encounter in the park, it's important to keep a safe distance of 25 yards (75 feet) or more. Animals in the park are wild and unpredictable, so admiring from a distance is the best way to view them! Sorry Ranger Peelee, we can go back inside now. Come back daily to see all the mischief and learn a thing or two! 
NPS / Sydney Honn December 11, 2024This Christmas tree was missing a star on top, so I made sure to add one - a picture of me! Ranger Peelee wanted a picture of himself at the top, but I beat him to it! Now there’s a bright, good-looking star to really finish the look. Come back daily to see all the mischief and learn a thing or two! 
NPS / Sydney Honn December 10, 2024I tried to make this gingerbread house look like the Maltese Cross Ranch cabin…I think it turned out pretty good! The Maltese Cross Ranch cabin was Theodore Roosevelt’s first cabin in the Dakotas. He stayed there when he was living and working at his Maltese Cross Ranch, which was about seven miles south of the current South Unit entrance to the park! The cabin was moved to its current location behind the South Unit Visitor Center in 1959, where it still sits looking like it did when Roosevelt lived in it! So come check out the cabin the next time you visit! Not the gingerbread house version though. I will be eating this. Come back daily to see all the mischief and learn a thing or two! 
NPS / Sydney Honn December 9, 2024What a cool bug! I love going outside and exploring, even when it's cold and snowy. You never know what you may find! Anytime you go outside (whether it be winter or summer), pay attention to the little things in nature. Cool bugs, colorful flowers, or shiny rocks are always somewhere to find! Just remember Leave No Trace principles and leave any cool object where you found it. Other people may want to find it too! Have fun exploring! 
NPS / Sydney Honn December 8, 2024Did you know there were so many books about Theodore Roosevelt? I didn’t, and now I need to catch up! Theodore Roosevelt not only loved to read, but he loved to write! He wrote 46 books during his life, as well as many articles and speeches. I’m trying to read them all, but I think it’ll take me a while. Talk soon, got to get to reading! Come back daily to see all the mischief and learn a thing or two! 
NPS / Sydney Honn December 7, 2024There may not be many birds in North Dakota right now, but I still intend on bird watching as much as I can. Check out my view of this Western Meadowlark and Black-capped Chickadee! While I’m enjoying my winter bird watching, there are even better opportunities to see species like these in the summer. Next time you visit Theodore Roosevelt National Park, be on the lookout for these colorful critters! 
NPS / Sydney Honn December 6, 2024Yesterday’s message was all about picking up litter, but you can’t just throw everything in the trash! It’s important to recycle things like plastic bottles and aluminum cans so they don’t end up in landfills; that way, they can be made into new things! Help protect our park in more ways than one by separating your recyclable items when you visit! 
NPS / Sydney Honn December 5, 2024The rangers gave their Leave No Trace message, and now it’s my turn! Keeping the park clean is important not only for the wildlife and the environment, but also those visiting. Everybody deserves to enjoy their parks, and that means being respectful! Pack out all trash with you as you explore the park, keep noise to a minimum when out on the trail, and don’t take anything cool you find home with you. Let’s keep Theodore Roosevelt National Park beautiful for future generations of visitors! 
NPS / Gary December 5, 2024Come experience the national parks! On six days in 2025, all National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone. Mark your calendar for these entrance fee–free dates in 2025: January 20 – Martin Luther King Jr. Day April 19 – Start of National Park Week June 19 – Juneteenth National Independence Day August 4 – Great American Outdoors Act Signing Day September 27 – National Public Lands Day November 11 – Veterans Day Whether you're a nature enthusiast, wildlife lover, or just looking for a peaceful retreat, there's something for everyone at Theodore Roosevelt National Park. 
NPS / Sydney Honn December 4, 2024Don’t tell the rangers, but I snuck into the Maltese Cross Ranch cabin for a sweet treat. Can you blame me? It’s #NationalCookieDay and there was a container of these with a sign that said “please take one”...so I took “one” container of cookies! I was hungry after talking all about #WildlifeConservationDay… How long until you think they notice? Come back daily to see all the mischief, and learn a thing or two! 
NPS / Sydney Honn December 4, 2024Stop right there! This is a prairie dog crossing area, and you’re driving waaay too fast. It’s #WildlifeConservationDay, which means it’s time for another lesson! Once again, I’m going to be talking about my favorite subject - me! #WildlifeConservationDay was created to raise awareness of species in danger, and Black-tailed prairie dogs are an endangered species. After we were almost hunted to extinction in the 1800’s, our natural range got reduced a lot, and we don’t take up as much space as we used to. Even in Theodore Roosevelt National Park, we only occupy 2% of the entire park. Places like this prairie dog town are some of the only places we live here, and many of our towns in the park are really close to roads. Always look where you’re going, because we can try to cross the roads to get to other burrows in our towns. So be safe, and enjoy the wildlife! I think I need to wear this vest all the time; I look good. 
NPS / Sydney Honn December 3, 2024Check out this cute scarf and hat I stole – I mean, borrowed – from Ranger Peelee! I don’t think he'll miss them; plus, these are doing a great job of keeping me warm on these cold North Dakota days! Come back daily to see all the mischief and learn a thing or two! 
NPS / Sydney Honn December 2, 2024Brr, it’s cold in here, there must be some prairie dogs in the atmosphere! Just kidding, it’s a bunch of ice, ice, ice. It’s me, Clinker the prairie dog again, telling you to bundle up! Weather prep is super important anytime you go outside, and this time of year it’s imperative to keep warm. North Dakota gets very cold in the winter; last year, it got down to -40℉! Always make sure you have on layers, and wear hats, gloves, and boots to keep all your fingers and toes toasty. Bring it on winter, I’m ready! Come back daily to see all the mischief and learn a thing or two! 
NPS / Sydney Honn December 1, 2024Sorry Ranger Peelee, I’m the star of this park’s social media now! Hey there! My name is Clinker, and I’m a Black-tailed prairie dog. I’m here for the month of December to cause some mischief, make some memories, and teach you all the facts about Theodore Roosevelt National Park! Today’s lesson is about geology, because that’s how I got my name! I’m named after clinker, a hard red rock you can find all over the badlands. Clinker is formed when coal veins catch fire due to lightning strikes or prairie fires. As the coal burns, the layers above bake into a hard, brick-like material. This rock is harder than the soft, sedimentary layer around it and, as the soft material erodes, many buttes become topped with a red cap of clinker. So when you explore the park, you can look out for this cool geological phenomenon! Those are big words for me, but I just love talking about myself. Come back daily to see all the mischief and learn a thing or two! |
Last updated: January 5, 2025