New $10 million Oriska Rest Area opens along Interstate 94 with expanded amenities for travelers
Bismarck, North Dakota – Travelers along Interstate 94 in North Dakota now have access to a newly rebuilt rest area after work on the $10 million Oriska Rest Area project was completed.
The new facility is officially open to the public and is located about two miles east of Oriska along I 94 at mile marker 304. The previous rest area closed in April 2025 so reconstruction could begin.
The project involved replacing the former building and rebuilding the parking lot. The improvements were designed to provide more space and better services for people traveling along the interstate, including commercial truck drivers who need safe locations to stop and rest.
“This project is a significant investment in improving the experience for people traveling along I-94, especially the freight haulers who rely on safe and accessible places to stop,” said NDDOT Maintenance Division Director Brandon Beise. “The new facility provides modern amenities, more space, and a welcoming environment for travelers.”
New facility includes dog park and additional truck parking
Several new features have been added to make the Oriska Rest Area more useful and comfortable for different types of travelers.
The property includes four sheltered picnic tables, a courtyard and a walking path. Travelers with pets can also use a new dog park.
Truck parking was another important part of the project. The rebuilt facility now provides 25 parking spaces for trucks, giving freight haulers additional space to stop while traveling along I 94.
Accessibility was also considered in the design. Among the additions is an adult changing station, intended to make the facility more accessible for travelers with a variety of needs.
The interior of the new building was developed through cooperation among several North Dakota agencies. The North Dakota Game and Fish Department, North Dakota Department of Commerce and the State Historical Society of North Dakota contributed ideas and display items.
Officials also wanted the location to do more than provide a place for motorists to rest. Its interior was designed to introduce visitors to North Dakota and encourage them to explore other parts of the state.
“Due to its prime locations, we wanted this rest area to serve as a welcome center,” said Commerce Tourism and Marketing Director Sara Otte Coleman. “The new facility provides travelers with digital planning tools, vibrant imagery and printed tourism materials to inspire visitors to explore more of North Dakota. Designed around the prairie pothole theme, the project gives the state an opportunity to tell that story, with displays that include wood decoys and taxidermy.”
The tourism features include digital tools that visitors can use to plan their travels, along with printed information and images highlighting North Dakota.
With reconstruction now finished, the $10 million Oriska Rest Area offers a larger and more modern stopping point for motorists and freight traffic while also serving as a place where travelers can learn more about North Dakota.
