![]() NPS Graphic . Sponsored by the Theodore Roosevelt Nature & History Association.
Daytime ActivitiesSpeaker12:00pm - 1:00pm TBA Location: South Unit Visitor Center Theatre Make a Straw Rocket 2:00pm - 4:00pm Create a paper rocket that can be launched from a soda straw – then, modify the design to make the rocket fly farther! Location: South Unit Visitor Center Lawn Stargazing the Sun: A Solar Scope Spectacular 2:00pm - 4:00pm Discover the intricate details of the Sun's surface, witness mesmerizing solar flares, and learn about the science behind our solar system's powerhouse. Whether you're a seasoned observer or new to astronomy, this event promises an enlightening and awe-inspiring journey into the heart of our solar system. Location: South Unit Visitor Center Lawn Night Explorer Junior Ranger 2:00pm - 4:00pm Junior Rangers will learn how to find the North Star, write their own creative mythology about the constellations, track the phases of the moon, learn about stars and galaxies, use all their senses to explore the night environment at a national park, and earn a junior ranger badge. Location: South Unit Visitor Center Lawn Keynote Speaker 4:30pm - 5:30pm TBA Location: South Unit Visitor Center Theatre Evening ActivitiesStargazing8:30pm - 12:00am Volunteers point their telescopes at some of the night sky's most beautiful sights. White-light flashlights are prohibited due to their negative impact on night vision. Location: Peaceful Valley Ranch (South Unit Scenic Drive mile 7)
Daytime ActivitiesSpeaker12:00pm - 1:00pm TBA Location: South Unit Visitor Center Theatre Marshmallow Constellations 2:00pm - 4:00pm Create your own edible “Marshmellow Constellation”! Using toothpicks and marshmallows, we’ll build tasty models of constellations while learning about the stories behind the stars. Location: South Unit Visitor Center Lawn Stargazing the Sun: A Solar Scope Spectacular 2:00pm - 4:00pm Discover the intricate details of the Sun's surface, witness mesmerizing solar flares, and learn about the science behind our solar system's powerhouse. Whether you're a seasoned observer or new to astronomy, this event promises an enlightening and awe-inspiring journey into the heart of our solar system. Location: South Unit Visitor Center Lawn Night Explorer Junior Ranger 2:00pm - 4:00pm Junior Rangers will learn how to find the North Star, write their own creative mythology about the constellations, track the phases of the moon, learn about stars and galaxies, use all their senses to explore the night environment at a national park, and earn a junior ranger badge. Location: South Unit Visitor Center Lawn Keynote Speaker 4:30pm - 5:30pm TBA Location: South Unit Visitor Center Theatre Evening ActivitiesStargazing8:30pm - 12:00am Volunteers point their telescopes at some of the night sky's most beautiful sights. White-light flashlights are prohibited due to their negative impact on night vision. Location: Peaceful Valley Ranch (South Unit Scenic Drive mile 7) Want to learn more?Dakota Nights doesn't just evolve around the festival - enjoy any and/or all of the following videos created surrounding our dark skies:![]() Tour of the Night Sky
Take a look at four well known objects in the North Dakota night sky. Nebula, clusters and galaxies, oh my! ![]() Star Lore of the Indigenous Peoples
The Navajo have a deep connection to the night sky, especially the constellations in the northern sky. ![]() Constellations and the March of Time
Discover the Earth has a “wobble” and find out why Polaris hasn’t always been our north star. ![]() Mission to Mars 2020
Join Brad Nasset, NASA Solar System Ambassador as he talks about the many missions to the red planet, Mars. ![]() See the Planets Tonight!
Curious about which planets are currently in the night sky? Join Brad Nasset as he shows you when and where to see the visible planets. ![]() Open Globular Star Clusters
What is a star cluster and how are they different from each other. ![]() Our Magnetic Sun
Twinkle, twinkle little star! Which star is closest and what are its properties? ![]() The Silent Flight of Owls
Owls are the ultimate nocturnal hunters. But how are they able to sneak up on their prey? ![]() Do you have tapetum lucidum?
Spot animals on the side of the road at night by the shine of their eyes? What causes eyeshine and how does it help animals see in the dark? ![]() Make your own Astrolabe
Have you ever wondered about how astronomers learned about the movement of Earth and the placement of constellations throughout the galaxy? ![]() Cookie Moon Phases
Have you ever wondered why the moon looks a little bit different every night? ![]() Asteroid Impact Model
What does it look like when an asteroid crashes into the moon and how are craters formed? ![]() Constellation
|
Last updated: July 2, 2025