BISMARCK, N.D. (KXNET) — Many changes are coming to Sully Creek State Park in the coming months — including a name change and a massive expansion. According to the ND Parks and Recreation Department, in a tribute to President Theodore Roosevelt and his legendary Rough Riders, the area will soon be renamed Rough Rider State Park. The announcement also coincides with the 166th birthday of Roosevelt himself, who is already a beloved figure in state culture. Several residents of ND were part of his first brigade, and "The Rough Rider State" has been an unofficial nickname of North Dakota for some time. The ‘perfect way to die’ in North Dakota Rough Rider State Park is set to nearly double its campaign capacity with a $4 million investment — which is part of a larger funding package for statewide park improvements originally proposed by Governor Doug Burgum. The planned projects will bring the total number of modern campsites and amenities to over 70. According to the release, visitors to the improved park can expect to see more modern facilities that will enhance the experience of camping under North Dakota skies, with improved access to the park's surroundings. “This transformation is a tribute to Theodore Roosevelt's spirit of adventure and love for the American wilderness," said Cody Schulz, Director of the North Dakota Parks & Recreation Department. "We’re beyond excited to bring these changes to life as part of our commitment to enriching recreational opportunities for everyone. We are so incredibly grateful to the legislature for making this investment possible, as it will be the most significant infrastructure upgrade in the over 50-year history of the park. And we are proud to work with great partners like the Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation, Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Foundation, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, Billings County, Medora, and many others – who all embody a great love of the outdoors and Western culture.”  Physical, printed, and electronic signage updates are expected to occur throughout the upcoming winter and spring, and the campground expansion itself is slated to begin in late Summer 2025. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Today's Top Stories SIGN UP NOW